building a website isn’t just about “making it look pretty.” (sorry, but no.) it’s about turning ideas into something real that people actually want to use—without 27 rounds of vague feedback, endless slack threads, or someone shouting “the header’s broken!” from across the room (or, you know, across the internet).

let’s break down the website design process so you can do it the easy way—and make everyone’s life simpler with toolbar.

1. discovery: figure out what you’re actually building

too many projects tank because nobody knows what anybody wants.

• who’s the website for? (hint: “everyone” doesn’t count)

• what’s the number one thing it should do—sell stuff, show off, book calls?

• ask questions. get clear on goals, must-have features, and what “success” actually means.

the more you know now, the fewer surprises (and panic moments) you’ll have later.

2. planning: map it out before you get fancy

before you start designing, lay out a plan.

• make a sitemap (literally: what pages do you need?)

• sketch a basic wireframe so no one is shocked when you say “the blog and the shop are separate things”

• write down some deadlines. it’s cool to be chill, but a little structure goes a long way.

3. design: make it look good (but don’t forget usability)

here’s where the magic happens—but don’t just aim for “pretty.”

• start with mockups or prototypes so everyone can give feedback early and often

• always check stuff on desktop, tablet, and mobile—no more broken menus on phones

• pick fonts and colors that real people can read, not just your artsy friend

now’s the time to ask, “does this feel right?” make changes here—it’s WAY easier than later.

4. content: fill in the blanks

don’t launch with “lorem ipsum” everywhere. seriously.

• get your real copy ready: about page, product blurbs, cta buttons

• add real images, not just stock photos of smiling people high-fiving

• update any dummy data. you’d be amazed by how many “your brand here” footers stay live for months

5. development: bring it to life

hand things off to devs, or roll up your own sleeves.

• start building using the latest tools (wordpress, webflow, shopify, custom code—whatever fits)

• make sure everything matches the plan (don’t skip mobile, don’t “save it for later”)

• test as you code so problems don’t pile up

6. feedback and QA: catch the weird stuff (don’t just cross your fingers)

this is where toolbar shines! make feedback part of your process—not a last-minute scramble.

• let clients and team leave comments (and screenshots!) directly on the site using toolbar

• auto-capture browser, device, and page info—so you know exactly what and where the “button is broken” means

• track all feedback in one place so nothing falls through the cracks (and you don’t have to dig through old emails)

7. launch: go live (the real “done”)

after fixes and final checks, you’re set for launch:

• double-check your checklist: links, forms, pages, and everything else

• tell everyone “it’s live!”—but keep your eye out for bug reports

• plan to fix the tiny things that always pop up on day one

8. don’t ghost your site: keep improving

the web moves fast (and, let’s be honest, there are always bugs lurking somewhere).

• gather feedback post-launch (yep, toolbar again)

• track analytics and adjust your site as you learn what people love (or bounce from)

• update content, images, and features to keep things fresh

using a real process—and smart tools like toolbar—turns web design from a nightmare into something seriously smooth. clear steps, clear communication, instant feedback, and everyone’s happy (or at least less stressed).

ps: if someone on your team still asks “can you just email me feedback,” send them this article and a toolbar invite. you’ll thank us later.