What happens in discovery & strategy
What to expect from the discovery and strategy phase: what we do, what we need from you, and what you'll have at the end of it.
Discovery & Strategy is the first phase of your project. Before we design or build anything, we invest time in understanding your business, your goals, and your audience. This phase shapes everything that follows.
What we do in this phase
- Kickoff callMeet, ask questions, align on goals
- Review your materialsSite, brand, examples, content
- Define scope and goalsWhat we're building and why
- Agree on the approachSitemap, technology, integrations
Stage 1 of 4: Kickoff call
We start with a video or phone call to meet formally, ask questions about your business, and align on goals. This is the most important meeting of the project: come prepared to talk about who your customers are, what makes your business different, and what success looks like for you.
Stage 2 of 4: Review your materials
If you have a current website, brand guidelines, competitor examples you like, or content you want to keep, we'll review all of it. Send us everything, even rough notes and old files can be useful.
Stage 3 of 4: Define scope and goals
We'll document exactly what we're building, what it needs to do, and what success looks like. This becomes the foundation for your proposal or project brief.
Stage 4 of 4: Agree on the approach
Before moving to design, we'll confirm the sitemap (what pages your site will have), the technology we'll use, and any integrations needed (like a booking system, an online store, or email marketing tools).
What we need from you
Discovery is one of the phases where your input is most important. The better we understand your business, the better the end result.
Before or during this phase, it helps to have ready:
Have these ready for discovery
0 of 6 done
- Your current website URL (if you have one)
- Brand assets: your logo, brand colors, any fonts if you know them
- Examples you like: websites or designs that feel right for your brand, and why
- Your target audience: who are your customers? What do they need?
- Your goals: what should this website help you achieve?
- Content you want to keep: text, images, or pages from your existing site
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The more you share, the better the output
Discovery is not a test. There are no wrong answers. Share your instincts, your examples, even your concerns. All of it helps us build something that genuinely fits your business.
What you'll have at the end
By the end of discovery, you'll have:
- A clear, documented project brief (or confirmed proposal) that both sides agree on
- A sitemap: the agreed list of pages your site will include
- Answers to key strategic questions about your audience and positioning
- A timeline and what to expect in the next phase (Design)
Common questions
How long does discovery take?
Typically one to two weeks, depending on how quickly information is exchanged and how complex your project is. If you can respond quickly to questions and provide materials promptly, discovery moves fast.
What if I don't have brand guidelines or a logo yet?
That's fine: we can work with what you have. If you need brand identity work (logo, colors, fonts) we can build that into the project scope. Just let us know and we'll discuss it.
What if I'm not sure what I want?
That's exactly why discovery exists. Come to the kickoff call with your business goals and your instincts. We'll ask the right questions and help you get clarity on the direction.
Do I have to make all the decisions in this phase?
The major directional decisions (what the site will do, who it's for, what pages it needs) happen here. Smaller decisions (specific wording, exact colors, image choices) come later during the design phase.
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