Websites, UX/UI design, Responsive Websites, SEO and Website Optimization
Together we will create a website that will be your best business tool in 2026!
Together we will create a website that will be your best business tool in 2026!
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What do you find in the article?
In this article, I'll show you the step-by-step process of creating a website - from the initial conversation and goal setting, through material preparation, prototype and graphic design, to implementation, testing and publication. Along the way, I'll hint at what you should prepare on your side so that you don't get stuck on "content delivery" and prolong the project unnecessarily.
Throw in the realities of 2026: accessibility (WCAG/EAA), cookie consent and EU measurement (Consent Mode), and performance and UX in the context of Core Web Vitals (including INP). In short, it will be about how to make a site that not only looks, but also works: standards-compliant, meaningfully measurable and pleasant to use.
Introduction
Websitemaybe become one of the most important elements of your business - as long as it actually works and not just "looks nice." It's a place that helps attract new customers, build trust and strengthen your brand. In practice, it is also often the first point of contact: someone comes in from Google, glances for 20-30 seconds and already knows (or thinks) whether you are worth writing to. A well-designed website not only supports sales, but also organizes communication, facilitates contact and allows you to easily show your offer without explaining it from scratch every time.
On a daily basis, I talk to small and medium-sized business owners who want to grow their business and "arrange technology" so that it doesn't get in the way, but helps. And usually, sooner or later, we come back to one topic: a decent website. Not because it's the magic solution to everything - sometimes improving an offer or customer service process has a better effect - but a website is very often the foundation. In this text, I'll show you what the process of creating a website usually looks like step by step, so that you know what to expect, how to prepare for cooperation, and where time and budget usually "run away". This way the investment is more likely to translate into real benefits, and not just satisfaction with the new design.
Together, will we create a website that will be your best business tool?
Is it possible to work together to make a website that will be your best business tool?
Probably yes - but on one condition: it must be well planned. Aesthetics alone are not enough if the user doesn't know where to click, how to get in touch or exactly what you offer.
Usually the whole process consists of several stages
1
Consultation and needs analysis
First, I'm trying to understand your company, your customers and the purpose of the site. Is it to generate inquiries? Is it to sell online? Or is it to relieve you of repetitive questions like "how much does it cost", "where do you operate", "when do you have deadlines". Without this, it's easy to make a site that is "about the company" but not necessarily for the customer.
2
Preparation of materials
This is where the reality comes out: content, photos, logos, colors, testimonials, pricing (if only a pitchfork). If there are no photos, no tragedy - it is possible to arrange a simple session with a phone or use realistic stock photos. But it's a good idea to avoid generic "smiling team in suits" photos if you're running a workshop, office or field service company, for example. The customer quickly senses artificiality.
3
Concept and prototype (wireframe)
This is the moment when we lay out the logic of the site: what's on the home page, what's in the services, where questions land, where the form. The idea is that the user doesn't have to guess, but intuitively goes from "I see the offer" to "I know what to do next." Sometimes it's already apparent at this stage that, for example, the offer is too broad and it's worth sorting it out.
4
Graphic design
Only now it makes sense to refine the style: colors, typography, details. The design should fit the character of the brand, but also not interfere with reading and decision-making. Seemingly obvious, and yet: an overly "artistic" layout can look great... and at the same time lower the number of inquiries, because no one can find the contact button.
5
Technical development and testing
At this point, the website becomes a working product: coding, speed optimization, mobile version, forms, integrations (e.g., map, analytics, pixel), and, if needed, a content management system, e.g.Payload CMS. Testing is important, because the difference between "it works for me" and "it works for customers on the phone" can be surprisingly large.
6
Implementation and commissioning
There is more to publishing a site than just clicking "deploy". It comes with the configuration of hosting, domain, SSL certificate, redirects, SEO basics, and finally a short deployment with maintenance - so that you are not dependent on the contractor for every minor change.
The end result? An aesthetically pleasing and functional site that supports the business, builds credibility and makes it easier for customers to decide. And sure - it's still "just a website." But in a well-orchestrated process, it can stop being a mere business card and start doing real work: collecting inquiries, organizing communications and relieving you of the burden of day-to-day matters.
Highlights
In order for the process of creating a website to go smoothly and seamlessly, the client should keep in mind a few key points:
- Identify your goals: Before you start working together, think about what you expect from your site. Is it to attract new customers, showcase your offerings, or sell products online?
- Identify your target audience: Understanding who your customers are and what they need will help us better tailor the site to their expectations.
- Prepare materials: Gather logos, images, service descriptions, contact information and other content you will need for the site. If something is missing, we offer to help you develop them.
- Be open to conversations: Regular communication and sharing of ideas and feedback are crucial to the success of the project.
- Plan your time and budget: The implementation of a website requires both commitment and adequate financial resources. Let's set a schedule and budget in advance to avoid surprises.
- Trust the process: Each step has its own importance. Let us guide you through the process so we can deliver a product that meets your expectations.
Initial consultation and needs analysis
It all starts with a conversation - and not a "tick-box" one, but a specific one. At the initial consultation, I try to understand how your business works, who your customers are and why the site should be created at all. It sounds simple, but it often comes out here already that "company website" can mean completely different things.
Quite often I hear:"I don't know about websites, I don't know where to start." And that's fine. That's what this stage is for - to keep you guessing. We ask questions that may look innocent, but usually lead to decisions that later save time, budget and nerves:
- Who are your customers and what do they expect?
Is it people who want to find a number and a deadline quickly? Or someone who is comparing quotes and needs specifics (scope, process, deliverables)? - What are the purposes of the site?
Inquiries? Subscriptions? Sales? Relieving you of repetitive inquiries? - What functions are key?
A form with several fields, a quick call, bookings, an online store, a blog, map integration, analytics - and so on.
I remember a conversation with a small gardening company. The owner, at the start, had a concern that his niche offer would "not defend itself" on the Internet. And honestly - sometimes it does, if it is shown in a generic way. But as we began to break down the topic (what implementations he does most often, who calls him, what people want to know before the first contact), it came out that the greatest value is his experience and approach:"I'm not selling the lawn, just peace of mind for two seasons." As a result, the site became not only a business card, but also a place that built trust - photos of implementations, brief descriptions of the "what and why," a simple FAQ and a clear quotation form.
At this stage, I'm not promising an "online success map." More something down-to-earth: maximum focus on what makes sense for your business and your customers. The rest is consistency.
Preparation of materials by the customer
After consultation and direction comes the moment for materials. And yes - this is sometimes the stage that stresses people out, because suddenly it turns out that the site needs content, photos and specifics. The good news: you don't have to have everything perfect right away. It's important to know what's there, what's missing and what can realistically be delivered in your time.
The ideal customer (before you start writing content)
Before you start collecting materials, stop for a moment and answer one question:Who exactly is this site for?
"For everyone" sounds safe, but in practice it dilutes the message. A website is supposed to work best when it speaks the language of a specific audience.
Not sure how to get started? We can work it out at a strategy workshop.
What is worth preparing?
1
Logo and corporate identity basics
If you have a logo, colors, fonts - great. If not, we'll survive too. We can work out a simple starter set: 2-3 colors, typography, photo style. You don't always have to do full branding right away - but we can, so that you have the opportunity to use the full power of your brand in classic marketing (e.g. printed banners, business cards)
2
Content for the site
A description of the services, "about the company", the scope of operations, how to contact me, possibly a price list or spread. I often ask for something very specific:
"List the 5 most common customer questions before purchase/service." - this then works great as a FAQ.
3
Photos and multimedia
Professional photos help, but are not a prerequisite for taking off. If you don't have them, a few meaningful photos from your phone are often enough: realizations, team, workplace, details. Stocks can work too, just be wary of generic frames that look like "a company from the Internet."
And an important point, a little from practice -Your commitmentin substancereally makes a difference. Even the best visual design won't save your site if your descriptions are empty and your offerings sound like they're from a catalog. We can help clean it up and refine it, but we need facts from you, the language of the industry and what you actually want to say to customers.
Creating a concept and prototype
When the materials are ready (or at least "ready enough"), we move on to the concept of the site. It's not about colors and "wow effect." First we lay out the site so that it works logically.
We start withwireframe, that is, a sketch / skeleton: where the menu is, where the offer is, what should be on the home page, what the path to contact looks like, where reviews and realizations land. Such a prototype is intentionally simple - it makes it easier to talk about the meaning, not whether the button should be rounder.
At this point, your opinion carries a lot of weight, because you are the one who knows the realities of the company and customers. I can suggest solutions, but you will tell me if, for example, people call more often, if they prefer a form, if they ask about appointments, if they ask about price, if they ask about getting there. Together we work out the layout and features so that everything is consistent.
I have in my memory a website design for a company that organizes cooking workshops. The owners wanted the site to be "dynamic", but at the same time simple to use. And it was only with the prototype that it came out that the most important element was not the beautiful pictures (although they were important), but theeasy entry: visible date, price, number of seats and a quick form. Once we sorted that out in the wireframe, the rest - design and vibe - went much easier, because we already knew what to prioritize.
Only after the prototype is approved do we move to the next step:graphic design. And this is the moment when the "look" makes sense, because it is based on a well-arranged structure.
Graphic design
This is the point at which the site begins to look like aYour - and not like another template from the Internet. After the prototype (i.e., "what's where and why"), we move on to the visual layer: style, rhythm, typography, photos, details.
And right away an important thing: graphic design is not just to "make an impression". He is supposed to help in reading and decision-making. If the user gets lost in the layout or can't see where to click, even the prettiest design won't do much.
At this stage we adjust, among other things:
- colors and contrast (to be consistent with the brand, but also legible),
- fonts and header hierarchy (what is to be seen immediately, and what can be "lower"),
- section layout (so that the page has pace and is not one long wall of text),
- photo and icon style (consistent, realistic, no random graphics).
A real-life example: in the wellness industry, a calm layout, lots of light, short blocks of text and photos that look natural (not "stock") often work better. On the other hand, in a startup or technology company you usually need a more "concrete" narrative: strong headlines, clear CTAs, a "how we work" section, short cases, numbers. This is not a rigid rule - sometimes a wellness company wants to look modern and bold - but it gives a starting point.
During the design process, we regularly show new versions and collect feedback. And here's a little note: feedback like this works best."I like it because... / I don't like it because...".. Just "I don't know" is also ok, only then we need to specify what exactly is wrong: the colors, the layout, the atmosphere, the pictures, or maybe that the site looks "too serious" or "too light."
Once the design is approved, we move on to the stage where the site becomes operational - that is, technical development.
Technical development and testing
This is where the "pretty picture" ends and the real website begins: fast, responsive, error-free and ready for customers to use.
At this stage, we usually do three things in parallel:
1
Implementation (coding) of the site
We build the site so that it runs smoothly and looks good on mobile. In practice, this means fine-tuning mobile layouts, image loading, code order and performance basics, among other things.
2
CMS and content editing
If the site is to be easy to update, we implement a content management system. Most often I choosePayload CMS, because it is fast, modern and gives convenient editing (without "fighting" as in many heavier solutions). It allows you to change the text yourself, add a blog post, replace a photo or add a new service.
3
3) Functions and integrations
We add what you need for your business, such as: contact form (sometimes with service selection), driving map, clickable mobile, social integrations, booking system, newsletter signups, basic analytics.
Then tests - and tests that actually matter:
- devices and browsers (iPhone/Android, Chrome/Safari, various resolutions),
- loading speed (especially the home page and key sub-pages),
- forms and contact paths (whether inquiries are coming in and whether it is known what to do next),
- intuitiveness (whether the user understands the offer and gets to the CTA without any problems).
Only when this is closed is the page ready for publication.
Implementation and launch of the website
Deployment is the moment when the site goes to the target domain and becomes visible to customers. And seemingly it sounds simple, but this is also where you can mess up a lot if you do it "fast."
In practice, this includes:
1
Publication on the server + domain configuration
We choose a web host, hook up a domain, set up an SSL certificate, basic security, and what you need to keep your site running stably.
2
Last "live" checks
Different environments can behave differently from the test version, so once again we check key things: forms, redirects, mobile, speed.
3
Short implementation from the service
I show you how to edit content in the CMS: where to change the text, how to add a photo, how to upload a blog post. The idea is that you don't have to write to me for every minor correction.
4
Post-launch support
During the first weeks, there are usually "little things": someone finds a typo, someone reports that something looks different on their phone, sometimes you want to add another section. This is normal - and it's good to have a quick contact then.
And if you want to go a step further, we can plan a meaningful "post-launch" right away: basic SEO optimization, fine-tuning content for specific phrases, plugging in conversion measurement, or a simple campaign that will prove the first hits and queries. This doesn't always make sense from day one, but it's often worth thinking about beforehand so that the site isn't just "published," but actually used.
Standard 2026: accessibility, privacy and "perceived" speed
Below you have a more "take and paste" version - with specifics, without bloat, but still in your sense.
Accessibility: WCAG as standard, EAA as real risk in EU
Increasingly, accessibility is not an add-on "for the willing," but an element of quality and risk. IN THE EUEuropean Accessibility Act starts to be applied fromJune 28, 2025 and includes, among others.e-commerce, banking, passenger transport, e-books and several other categories of services and products.
WCAG 2.2 is being developed and published as a W3C standard, so it's worth treating it as a safe reference (even if older versions formally appear in some regulations).
The minimum, which usually pays to include right away (because correcting after implementation can sometimes be more expensive than doing it "along the way"):
- Contrast: text and interface elements readable in all conditions (in practice, a minimum of 4.5:1 is often targeted for plain text).
- Keyboard: it is possible to navigate the page without a mouse, the focus is visible and does not "disappear" under the header/sticky menu (this is a topic that WCAG 2.2 clarifies).
- Forms: correct field labels, meaningful error messages, hints on what to do next (instead of "An error occurred").
- Headings and structure: logical H1/H2/H3, sensible content order (this helps not only screen readers, but also ordinary users who "scan" the page).
A little note from practice: accessibility is not just "for people with disabilities." It's also users on a phone in the sun, someone with a hand injury, someone tired after work. That's the kind of "bonus" that usually improves conversion, even if it initially looks like a cost.
Analytics in the EU - consents and measurement (Consent Mode)
If you have traffic fromEU/EEA and measure user behaviorGoogle tags, then you have to submit user consent choices to Google - comes into play hereConsent Mode (including parameters related to advertising and analytics).
In practice, this means two things:
- Decent Consent Banner (CMP)., which actually collects the decision and can update it later.
- Correct configuration of tags Under these consents (in Consent Mode v2, among other things, signals like.ad_user_data iad_personalization).
If it's done "in a nutshell," the conversion data can simply beincomplete or to a greater extentmodeled, which makes meaningful marketing decisions difficult. And often it's not until a month later that someone notices that "something is off" in the reports.
Performance and UX - Core Web Vitals (INP instead of FID).
What matters in 2026 is not just "whether it charges fast," but alsohow the site responds, when the user starts clicking.INP replacedFID as an interaction metric in Core Web Vitals (the change went into effect in March 2024).
What to add to testing and optimization:
- we are looking atINP in data from real users (and not just on one computer "at my place it works"),
- objective:INP ≤ 200 ms (Above 200 ms, the "needs improvement" area begins).
- We check the things that most often spoil perceived responsiveness: heavy scripts, too much JS at the start, overly complex animations, slow form components.
It's seemingly technical, but the effect is very human: the site stops being "sluggish" and simply doesn't annoy.
Are you planning a new site or a redesign of your current one?
Write to me and arrange a short consultation - I'll tell you where to start and what to watch out for so you don't burn through your budget.
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- 1.
Most often from 2 to 8 weeks, but there are advanced projects that can take six months or more. Much depends on whether the materials (texts, photos, offer) are ready and how quickly we collect feedback. If the content "goes by the wayside," the project usually gets longer - this is normal.
The minimum is: a description of your services/offer (even a working one), contact information, logo, a few photos (realizations, workplace, team) and information on what area you operate in (local/wide/EU). If something is missing, it can be supplemented, but it's worth naming it right away.
Yes - if we implement a CMS (e.g. Payload CMS), you can change content, images, add blog posts or update your offer yourself. When you hand over the site, you get a short implementation from the service.
It can be - only it needs to be included in the design and testing, not "added at the end." In practice, we start with the basics: contrast, keyboard navigation, correct forms, logical headings and clear error messages.
If you measure traffic with Google tags and have users from the EU/EEA, you need a meaningful consent banner and correct tag configuration (Consent Mode). Without this, conversion data may be incomplete or heavily skewed.
Not really. Responsiveness - whether the site responds quickly when clicked (INP) - is also important in 2026. That's why in the tests we look not only at the launch, but also at the "feel" during use, especially on a phone.
About the Author
Digital Vantage
Your Partner in Business, Digital Vantage Team
Digital Vantage team is a group of experienced professionals combining expertise in web development, software engineering, DevOps, UX/UI design and digital marketing. Together we carry out projects from concept to implementation - websites, e-commerce stores, dedicated applications and digital strategies. Our team combines years of experience from technology corporations with the flexibility and immediacy of working in a smaller, close-knit structure. We work in agile methodologies, focus on transparent communication and treat each project as if it were our own business. The strength of the team is the diversity of perspectives - from systems architecture and infrastructure, frontend and design, to SEO and content marketing strategy. As a result, the client receives a cohesive solution where technology, aesthetics and business goals go hand in hand.
