If you've never hired a web design agency before, the process can feel opaque. What happens after you send that first enquiry? How long does it take? What will you need to do? Here's a transparent, step-by-step look at what working with a Portsmouth web design agency like Jazz Creative actually looks like.
Stage 1: The Initial Enquiry (Day 1)
You send an enquiry — via contact form, email, or phone. A good agency will respond within one business day with a few qualifying questions to understand your project before booking a call. Be wary of agencies that send you a generic pricing PDF without asking anything about your business first.
Stage 2: Discovery Call (Days 2–3)
This is a 30–60 minute call (video or phone) where the agency asks about your business, your goals, your target audience, your budget, and your timeline. This is also your chance to ask questions and get a feel for whether they're the right fit.
At Jazz Creative, we come to this call prepared — we'll have already looked at your existing website, your competitors, and your Google presence. We're not starting from zero.
Stage 3: Proposal (Days 4–7)
A reputable agency will follow up with a written proposal covering: what they'll build, how long it'll take, what it'll cost, what they need from you, and what's included (and excluded). Read this carefully. The scope of work section is critical — this is the document that protects both sides if questions arise later.
If the proposal is vague (e.g. "website design and development — £2,000") with no specifics, ask for more detail before signing.
Stage 4: Onboarding & Kickoff (Week 1)
Once you've agreed terms and paid a deposit (typically 40–50% upfront), the project kicks off formally. You'll usually be asked to complete an onboarding questionnaire, share access to any existing accounts (hosting, Google Analytics, domain registrar), and provide your content — or at least a content outline.
A kickoff meeting sets expectations for the project: how feedback will be collected, how decisions will be made, and what the communication rhythm will look like.
Stage 5: Design Phase (Weeks 2–3)
The agency creates initial design concepts — typically for the homepage and one or two key inner pages. You'll review these and provide feedback. Most projects include two rounds of design revisions before moving to development. Be specific with your feedback: "I don't like the blue" is less useful than "The blue feels cold — can we try something warmer that still feels professional?"
Stage 6: Development (Weeks 3–5)
Once designs are approved, the agency builds the site. You may see a staging version partway through — a password-protected URL where you can review the live build. This is where any technical integrations (booking systems, payment gateways, CRM connections) are set up and tested.
Stage 7: Content & Testing (Week 5–6)
Final content is added, all forms and integrations are tested, the site is reviewed across multiple devices and browsers, and SEO basics (meta titles, descriptions, schema markup) are put in place. You'll do a final review and sign-off before launch.
Stage 8: Launch (Week 6)
The site goes live. DNS is updated (this can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally), SSL is confirmed, Google Analytics and Search Console are connected, and a final crawl check is done. A good agency monitors the site closely in the first 48 hours post-launch.
Stage 9: Post-Launch Support
What happens after launch matters. At Jazz Creative, we include a support period post-launch and offer ongoing retainer packages for clients who want continuous optimisation, SEO, and updates. Don't just assume the relationship ends at launch — the best results come from ongoing improvement.
What You're Responsible For
The biggest causes of project delays are on the client side: late content delivery, slow feedback turnaround, and unclear decision-making. The more responsive you are, the faster and smoother the project runs.
Ready to Get Started?
Jazz Creative works with Portsmouth and Hampshire businesses through exactly this process. Get in touch for a free discovery call — no pressure, just clarity.