Building a New Website with an Agency: Complete Guide

If you’re reading this, you probably already know just how important a website is for a business’s online presence. While building a new site can be an exciting opportunity, it also comes with a wide variety of challenges. This is where working with a professional agency can help you out. 

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An agency is a professional organization that specializes in providing services such as website design, development, marketing, and branding. They work with businesses to create solutions that help achieve specific goals and boost online presence. Partnering with an agency means you have a dedicated team focused on your project. They handle everything from design and development to content creation and SEO!

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In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process of building a website with an agency. So, whether you’re starting from scratch or refreshing an existing site, this guide will help you understand the process and plan accordingly.

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Finding The Right Agency

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The first step is to look for an agency with solid experience and a portfolio that showcases their work. This gives you a sense of their style and capabilities. It’s also helpful to check if they specialize in your industry, as that can make a big difference in understanding your needs.

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Many agencies provide calls that you can easily schedule on their website at a time that works for you.

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For instance, Resimpl has a free strategy call you can grab for a no-cost consultation—take advantage of this!

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A strategy call allows you to get a free consultation on your ideas while also giving you a better idea about the agency itself.

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Questions to Ask

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Once you pick a date for the call, make sure you have a list of questions ready to go. Preparing this ahead of time will save time for both you and the agency! To help you out, here’s a non-exhaustive list of the most important questions:

• What is your design process for creating a website?
• Can you share examples of similar projects?
• How do you handle revisions and feedback?
• What ongoing support do you offer after launch?
• What are your payment terms and pricing structure?

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Comparing Proposals

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Once you have proposals from a few agencies, take a good look at what each one offers. Check out the scope of work, timelines, and pricing. It’s important to know exactly what services are included and what to expect at each stage of the project.

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Trust Your Instincts

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Ultimately, you need to trust your gut. A strong working relationship will make the whole process much smoother, so it’s important to choose an agency you feel comfortable communicating with. Remember, this collaboration will shape your online presence, so take your time. With these points in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to select an agency that aligns with your vision and goals.

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Project Briefing

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Once you've chosen an agency, the briefing stage begins. This is your opportunity to lay the groundwork for a successful collaboration. During this phase, you will clarify your vision, set clear goals, and establish open communication. 

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Initial Meeting and Communications

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Start with an initial casual or semi-formal meeting where you can share your vision and goals for the project. This meeting is an excellent opportunity to create a friendly connection with the agency, helping to foster a comfortable atmosphere for open dialogue. During this discussion, you can outline your ideas and aspirations for the website, giving the agency insight into what you hope to achieve. If you’re feeling bold, you can even share a bit about yourself!

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Additionally, this is a chance to get to know the team members you’ll be working with, which can make collaboration more enjoyable. Establishing rapport early on not only facilitates smoother communication but also allows for a better understanding of each other’s expectations and working styles. This connection sets a positive tone for the project, making it easier to dive into the details as you move forward.

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Establishing Timelines and Milestones

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After the initial meeting, you will need to work together to set a clear timeline for the project. During this session, discuss key milestones and their associated deadlines. Be sure to cover how the agency plans to handle these milestones and consider any variables that could impact the schedule, such as feedback loops or the need for revisions. 

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Fixing a timeline allows you to identify potential roadblocks early on and agree on a plan that balances efficiency with quality. By establishing a timeline that suits both parties, you can confirm everyone is comfortable with the project’s pace and remains focused as it progresses.

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Setting Expectations and Deliverables

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It’s important that your expectations meet the agency’s deliverables. So, begin by discussing what deliverables you can expect and the timelines for their completion. This includes everything from initial design drafts to the final website launch. Take time to understand how the agency will handle these milestones and their process for meeting deadlines.

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Being specific about your needs early on helps avoid misunderstandings later. This way, both you and the agency can be on the same page regarding goals and outcomes. Clear communication at this stage will pay off throughout the project.

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Website Design Process

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Once your project’s groundwork is set, it’s time to move into the design phase. This is where your ideas begin to take shape visually, bringing your website’s look and layout to life. 

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The design phase is not just about aesthetics; it’s also about making sure your site is user-friendly, accurately represents your brand, and provides a positive experience for visitors. Here’s how the design process typically unfolds:

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Brand Identity and Visual Elements

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Branding plays an important role in the design process. If you have existing branding, you’ll want to discuss how to effectively represent those elements in your new website. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something fresh, this is a great time to explore new branding options that match with your vision.

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Discuss with the agency about important elements such as your brand colors, fonts, and logo. Keeping these visual elements consistent with your overall brand will help create a memorable experience for your visitors.

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Wireframes and Mockups

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The design process begins with wireframes—simple, black-and-white layouts that provide a basic outline of the website’s structure. Think of them as the blueprint, showing only the framework without the visual polish. Wireframes help you and the agency get on the same page regarding how content is organized and how users will move through the site. They’re a chance to review and refine navigation, identify important sections, and make sure everything flows naturally.

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Once the wireframes are approved, the agency moves on to mockups. Here, design elements like colors, typography, and images are added, transforming the framework into something closer to the final look. Mockups give a real sense of the website’s aesthetic, allowing you to see how the brand colors and styles play together and make any style changes before the site moves into development.

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User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design

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With the wireframe and mockup stages complete, the design process focuses on User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI)—two parts of how users interact with the site.

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• UX Design is all about the usability of the website. It prioritizes making navigation easy and intuitive, so users can find what they need quickly and comfortably. UX considerations go deep, covering everything from menu layouts to the way information is grouped. The goal is to create a seamless user journey that feels natural from start to finish.
• UI Design focuses more on the visuals—the colors, buttons, icons, and fonts that make the site visually engaging. This stage brings life to the wireframes and mockups, ensuring the site looks attractive and reflects the brand’s personality. UI isn’t just about good looks; it also influences usability by making sure that visual cues guide users in the right direction.

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Together, UX and UI design work to create a website that’s both functional and aesthetic, striking a balance that keeps users hooked and engaged.

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Reviewing and Approving Design Concepts

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After the initial designs are ready, you’ll have a chance to review and provide feedback. This review stage is essential for making sure the website captures your vision and brand personality. You’ll have the opportunity to go over each element with the agency, from layout and navigation to the finer details of color choices and font styles.

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Your feedback helps the agency refine the design and make any necessary adjustments. This collaborative back-and-forth makes the final design align with your goals. Once you’ve given the final approval, the project moves to the next stage, where the design takes shape as a fully functional website, ready for users.

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Development and Implementation

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After you finalize the design, the next phase is development and implementation. This is where the excitement really kicks in, as your ideas begin to take shape and become a reality. During this time, you’ll work closely with the development team to ensure that every element is built to your liking and that the website aligns with your vision. 

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A quick note to make here is that not all agencies will include development. Some agencies specialize in designing websites, rather than developing, so make sure to discuss that part of the process! Now, here’s how this process typically unfolds:

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Choosing the Right Platform

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Before diving into coding, it’s important to choose the right platform and appropriate technologies. The platform you select will serve as the foundation for your website, allowing you to manage content easily. Picking the right one can greatly influence how you maintain your site moving forward. Popular options include:

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• WordPress: Known for its flexibility and extensive plugin options, making it suitable for a wide range of websites.
• Webflow: Offers a visually driven approach, allowing designers to create responsive sites without deep coding knowledge.
• Framer: Great for design-focused projects, Framer provides tools to quickly create interactive and visually appealing websites.

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In addition to the platform, consider other things involved, including programming languages and frameworks used to build your site. Choosing options that fit your project’s needs and future growth is important for supporting your website’s functionality and performance.

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Front-End and Back-End Development

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Once you’ve chosen your platform and technologies, it’s time to dive into development. This stage involves two key areas: front-end development and back-end development. 

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Front-end development focuses on everything users see and interact with, including layouts, graphics, and menus. The goal here is to create an engaging and intuitive experience that looks great on all devices, whether users are on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

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On the other hand, back-end development manages the behind-the-scenes parts of your website. This includes handling databases, application logic, and server configurations. A well-functioning back end is essential for making sure everything operates smoothly and efficiently, keeping your site responsive to user actions.

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Both front-end and back-end development are big factors of your website’s overall success. Close collaboration with your development team during this phase will help make sure everything is built to your specifications, resulting in a smooth user experience.

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Integrating Third-Party Tools and Plugins

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To further improve your website's functionality, using third-party tools and plugins can be incredibly helpful. These additions can include contact forms, e-commerce solutions, analytics tools, and SEO. By adding these features, you can significantly boost user experience and help achieve your business goals.

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The agency will typically work with you to make sure that all these elements are added without issue. Good plugin integration is important for creating a functional website that meets your vision and serves the needs of your users. Eventually, as development wraps up, you’ll be one step closer to launching a site that not only looks appealing but also operates exceptionally well.

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Testing and Quality Assurance

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Once the development phase wraps up, it’s time to focus on testing and quality assurance. This stage is all about making sure your website works as intended and meets the standards you set. Thorough testing helps catch any issues before the site goes live, which helps users have a positive experience right from the start.

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Functional and Usability Testing

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Functional testing focuses on making sure each core element on the site works as it should. This includes checking forms, buttons, links, and interactive features like sliders or drop-downs to see that they respond correctly. Testing also covers error handling, making sure users get clear feedback if they make a mistake, like entering incomplete form details.

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Next is usability testing, which focuses on how real users interact with your site. This step helps identify any confusing elements or obstacles that could affect user satisfaction. By observing how people engage with your site and gathering feedback, you can make adjustments to improve the overall experience. It’s important to see your site through the eyes of your audience, as their insights can lead to valuable improvements.

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Responsiveness Testing

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Finally, you’ll want to conduct cross-browser and device compatibility testing. This checks that your website displays and functions well across various web browsers and devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Users may access your site from different platforms, so verifying compatibility is important for reaching a broader audience. Identifying and fixing issues in this area can improve accessibility, making sure everyone has a smooth experience regardless of how they visit your site.

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Launching Your Website

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Finally, the big day is here! After all the planning, designing, and building, it’s time to get your website live. But before the official launch, a few final steps can make a big difference in ensuring everything goes smoothly.

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Pre-Launch Preparations

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Start by giving every page a proofread to catch small issues that might have slipped through: spelling mistakes, broken links, or image placement. Check contact forms by actually sending a few test messages and making sure all confirmations are working as expected.

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Once that’s done, move on to testing across different devices and browsers. Your site may look amazing on Chrome or Safari, but how about Firefox? How does it perform on mobile versus desktop? Run through these checks to be sure the site feels right no matter where it’s viewed.

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For a more thorough check, here is a brief checklist you can use:

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• Proofread all content for errors.
• Test all internal and external links.
• Verify that all forms work correctly.
• Test the website on mobile and desktop devices.
• Optimize meta titles and descriptions for each page.
• Install Google Analytics and set tracking goals.
• Optimize images for faster loading times.
• Create a backup of your website.
• Implement security measures like an SSL certificate.
• Review privacy policies and terms of service.
• Conduct a final walkthrough of the site.

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SEO Considerations

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To get your website off to a strong start, take a moment to set up basic SEO essentials. Search engine optimization makes your site more likely to show up in search results, so users can find you without needing to know your URL directly.

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Begin with your on-page SEO: add meta descriptions, titles, and keywords that match your content and your audience’s interests. Then, submit your sitemap to Google Search Console, so search engines start indexing your pages as quickly as possible. If you’re planning to publish content regularly, start with a few high-quality articles or blog posts to help build up your presence early on. Remember to check up on your meta titles, meta descriptions, and alt texts!

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Announcing Your New Website

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Launching your site is a thrilling milestone, and it’s the perfect opportunity to share the excitement with your audience! Announce your launch on your social media accounts and send out a dedicated email to your mailing list to spread the word. This is your moment to shine—highlight what’s new and what users can look forward to, whether it’s exclusive content, innovative features, or a stunning redesign.

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For an extra special launch, consider hosting an event or rolling out a limited-time promotion. This could be anything from a fun giveaway or a special discount on your product on new website users. With a few strategically placed incentives, you can generate buzz and encourage both new and returning visitors to join in and explore all that your new site has to offer.

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Conclusion

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And with the launch and announcement, your journey of building a new website with an agency is finally complete! Now it's time to focus on creating great content and reaching out to your audience to drive traffic and boost sales. Hiring an agency makes building a website a lot easier, more stress-free, and much more enjoyable. They bring valuable expertise that can help improve your marketing efforts and make sure you can connect with the right audience!

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To learn more about the duration and timeline of building a new website with an agency, consider checking out our blog on how long it takes to build a website. Or, you can also learn more about pricing scheme when building a new website!