Website Development · 8 min read
The Website Development Process: 7 Stages From Brief to Launch
By the Luke team · 15 October 2026
Knowing how a professional website development project runs helps you prepare, give better feedback and avoid delays. Here are the seven stages we follow, and what you'll be asked for at each one.
1. Discovery & strategy
We learn about your business, audience, competitors and goals, review current analytics and agree what success looks like. Expect a workshop or questionnaire and access to your existing tools.
2. Sitemap & content plan
We plan every page and how visitors move between them, aligned to the searches your customers make. Each core service gets its own page so it can rank and convert.
3. Wireframes
Low-detail layouts define structure and hierarchy before visual design. This is where you confirm the content and calls to action on each key page.
4. UI design
We apply your brand to the wireframes, designing key templates for desktop and mobile. You review and give consolidated feedback in agreed rounds.
5. Development
Approved designs are built into a fast, responsive website with a CMS, integrations, forms, analytics and technical SEO.
6. Testing & QA
Before launch we test thoroughly:
- Browsers and devices
- Forms and integrations
- Page speed
- Accessibility basics
- SEO checks and redirects
7. Launch & growth
We go live, submit the sitemap, monitor performance and train your team. The best websites keep improving after launch through SEO, content and conversion testing.
What you can do to keep the project on track
The biggest cause of delays is content. Start gathering copy, photography, testimonials and product data early, nominate one decision-maker for feedback and keep review rounds consolidated.
Key takeaway
A structured process — discovery, planning, design, build, testing and launch — is what turns a website project from stressful into predictable.
Planning a website?
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