Our systems and processes are tailored to create powerful, hard-working B2B websites and digital marketing, with transparent communication, numerous checkpoints for feedback and collaboration, and no surprises.
We will deliver major milestones and proofs via interactive meeting whenever possible. Where meetings are not necessary or possible, we’ll deliver proofs with notes via email.
We always recommend that your project team designate a member of the team as an internal “project gatekeeper” —this person will have the final sign-off on all proofs and deliverables, and serve as the main contact between our teams.
We use best-in-class project management software that provides real-time schedule projections at any point during the process. Our team starts each day with a project check-in and reprioritization of team members’ time, as needed, to ensure that timelines and goals are met across projects.
Kickoff, Discovery and Asset Gathering
We start every project by listening to your unique business and marketing goals, and create smart, customized solutions through a collaborative, iterative process. Our process-driven culture ensures a consistent level of quality in our deliverables, and allows us to provide clients with consistent, proactive attention throughout the project. We use best-in-class project management software that provides real-time schedule projections at any time during the process. Our team starts each week with a project check-in and reprioritization of team members’ time, as needed, to ensure that timelines and goals are met.
Our tried-and-true process keeps schedules on track, and also provides numerous opportunities to review and influence our recommendations on strategic decisions, user-experience, look/feel, format, technical decisions, and final deliverables. Each project begins with a thorough kickoff meeting, discussing key audiences, competitors, overall content and strategy goals, and other marketing objectives with client decision makers. We’ll conduct a thorough review of existing brand standards and assets, site analytics, sales materials, and any other relevant background materials. The internal team meets as a whole to discuss strategy and next steps post-kickoff. A separate technical kickoff meeting may be held for further requirements gathering.
Strategy, Site Architecture and Prioritization
After project kickoff and internal strategy meetings, Windmill will present a strategy brief, followed by initial architecture/planning proofs for feedback and collaborative discussion. After revisions and approval, visual design proofs will be presented for further input and discussion. Development/production will begin upon visual design approval. We thrive on happy clients. Although three or fewer rounds of revisions are typically needed, throughout the planning and design phases, Windmill will iterate with rounds of feedback and revision if needed until needs and objectives have been met. It’s our guarantee.
Learn more about website strategy briefs
Learn more about sitemap and wireframes
Learn more about prioritizing using MoSCoW
Visual Design
After revisions and approval on the strategy and site architecture deliverables, visual design proofs will be prepared and presented for further input and discussion.
Where clear brand standards and visual look-and-feel aren’t established, we often create visual moodboards for review and collaborative discussion ahead of creating visual web design proofs. We thrive on happy clients; although three or fewer rounds of revisions are typically needed, throughout the planning and design phases, Windmill will iterate with rounds of feedback and revision if needed until your objectives have been met. It’s our guarantee. Development and production will begin upon visual design approval.
Learn more about web design
Learn more about visual moodboards
Learn more about logo refreshes (vs redesigns)
Web Development, Production and Content Migration
The development phase includes an initial development proof, our unique “early look” at a portion of the developed website on a staging site, including functioning navigation and mobile-responsive treatments, followed by client feedback, revisions if needed, and all remaining pages and functionality delivered in batches. Content is wrangled using unique web-based tools to facilitate an organized workflow, and varies in terms of Windmill vs client responsibility to migrate and style content. Training is always provided to ensure you can successfully migrate and style content pre-launch in a sandbox environment.
At this point in the process, depending on the elected scope, Windmill and the client team will be working through additional components of a website redesign, including SEO (On-Page Optimization), key messaging and copywriting, compliance-related functionality like accessibility and GDPR/CCPA compliance, and other project specific deliverables. Much of this work will have started throughout the process, but it all gets pulled together and integrated into the website during this production phase.
Learn more about web development
Learn more about SEO (on-page optimization)
Learn more about copywriting and content strategy
Learn more about website compliance
Testing, QA and Site Launch (Go-Live)
Windmill completes a thorough functional QA and design QA, alongside SEO pre- and post- testing ensure a successful delivery. As the site nears completion, Windmill and the client team will hold a final launch planning meeting and cover remaining milestones and approvals needed to hit a final launch target date.
What’s Next?
After go-live, our team is readily available for ongoing marketing and maintenance needs and support, leveraging analytics and testing tools to ensure ongoing continuous improvement and evolution of marketing assets and strategies post launch.
Learn more about website security, maintenance and hosting
Learn more about inbound and digital marketing services