What Is Involved in Custom Web Design?

If you just got a quote from me and did a double-take, this page is for you.

A custom website isn't a template with your logo dropped in. It's not a Wix or Squarespace site — platforms where you rent your web presence, never truly own it, and spend 40 hours making something that still doesn't look or work quite right. It's not picked from a menu or assembled from parts.

It's a custom-built, security-hardened, mobile-tested, accessibility-considered, Google-ready piece of software — designed specifically for your business, built from the ground up by someone who does this every day, and handed off with a video tour so you actually know how to use it.

Here's everything that goes into it.

PLANNING & DISCOVERY

  • Discuss your goals, audience, and vision
  • Review your existing site if applicable
  • Research your industry and competitors
  • Build a progress list so you can check in on your project any time
  • Provide a detailed estimate based on your specific needs

SERVER & DEVELOPMENT SETUP

  • Set up your account space on the server
  • Establish domain control
  • Create your database
  • Install WordPress core files
  • Remove unused server files and themes
  • Set up a private development area so the work-in-progress never goes live accidentally
  • Prevent search engines from indexing the development site
  • Set up maintenance mode during build

SECURITY HARDENING

  • Install and configure security plugin
  • Set up SSL certificate (https)
  • Rename and hide the plugin folder from unauthorized access
  • Deny access to WordPress configuration files
  • Block unauthorized access to the upload area
  • Block WordPress XML-RPC requests to prevent brute force attacks
  • Prevent hotlinking of your images from other sites
  • Restrict large file uploads
  • Limit post revisions to keep database clean
  • Add security rules to .htaccess file
  • Whitelist client IP address for admin access
  • Set up robots.txt

DESIGN

  • Create a custom child theme unique to your brand — not a template
  • Build custom page templates for each section of your site
  • Design is collaborative — depending on the project, this may include a static mockup for approval before coding begins, or we may build live so you can see it take shape in real time. Either way, you're involved throughout.
  • Select, edit, or source imagery that fits your brand
  • Apply consistent branding across every page
  • Create favicons for all devices (yes, that little icon in the browser tab)
  • Design a custom 404 error page so lost visitors aren't just staring at an error
  • CSS for print so your pages look decent if someone prints them

DEVELOPMENT & BUILD

  • Install and configure your framework
  • Set up SASS for clean, maintainable stylesheet code
  • Add Google Analytics tracking
  • Install and configure SEO management plugin
  • Create XML sitemap for search engines
  • Set up clean, readable URLs (good for Google and humans)
  • Add all fonts via the proper functions file
  • Build and style all pages — typically 10 to 50+ depending on your project
  • Build and style blog archive and individual post templates
  • Create contact form with spam protection, required fields, confirmation message, and email notification
  • Add internal linking where appropriate
  • Check W3C code validation — making sure the code is clean and correct
  • Create a sitemap page for visitors if needed

ACCESSIBILITY (ADA)

  • Check and correct color contrast ratios to meet WCAG standards
  • Ensure all images have proper alt text for screen readers
  • Verify proper heading structure (H1, H2, H3 — in the right order, for the right reasons)
  • Confirm keyboard navigation works throughout the site
  • Check that all forms have proper labels
  • Ensure links have descriptive text — not just "click here"
  • Verify focus states are visible for keyboard users
  • Check that the page language is properly set
  • Review font size and readability standards
  • Test for mobile accessibility

CROSS-BROWSER & DEVICE TESTING

  • Test across major browsers
  • Test on mobile devices for responsiveness and usability
  • Check all links and images
  • Test all forms end to end

GO-LIVE & CLEANUP

  • Turn off development mode and allow search engines to index the site
  • Clean up unused images, code, and development files
  • Optimize and compress all images
  • Set up caching to improve site speed
  • Configure .htaccess for proper www rewriting
  • Add site to Google Search Console
  • Verify Google Analytics is working
  • Review final sitemap and double-check all pages
  • Remove all development snapshots
  • Activate security plugin for live environment
  • Clean up server files
  • Deactivate or remove any unnecessary plugins

CLIENT HANDOFF

  • Create your admin user account
  • Update all forms to send to your email address and test them
  • Record a custom video tour of your finished website so you know how to use it
  • Send a final "exit exam" checklist to make sure everything is accounted for
  • Add site to weekly plugin and core file update schedule (if hosting with me)

A note on hosting: If you host with me, there are additional perks — including premium plugin licenses covered under my developer account, nightly backups, and hands-on security support. Read more about my hosting here.