How a Website Gets Built: The Full Process Explained

June 26, 2025

So, You Want a Website?

If you’re a business owner, project manager, or marketer planning a new website—or simply wondering how the web development process works—you’re in the right place. Whether you’re in Vancouver or Calgary, the path from concept to launch can feel overwhelming.

You’ve probably searched questions like:

What is the web development process?
How do I review a web design as a client?
What’s the difference between web design and web development?

This guide answers all of that and more. It’s designed to be practical, jargon-light, and truly helpful, whether you’re hiring an agency like Rose Agency or building internally.

What Is the Web Development Process?

The web development process refers to the end-to-end workflow of building a functional, user-centred, and goal-driven website. This includes planning, design, development, content creation, testing, launch, and maintenance.

Think of it as building a house:

You start with a blueprint (strategy)
Then design the layout (UX/UI)
Next comes construction (coding)
Then finishing touches (content and testing)

But unlike a house, your website is never truly “done”—it evolves with your goals and audience.

The Key Phases of Website Development

1. Discovery & Strategy

The first phase of building a website often starts with confusion—what happens first? If you’ve ever asked, “What are the stages of web development?” or “What happens in the planning phase?”, this is where you get your answers. The discovery and strategy phase is all about gaining clarity. It involves defining your business objectives, understanding your target audience, and identifying what actions you want users to take on your site.

Deliverables at this stage include user personas, competitor analysis, technical requirements, and a sitemap or wireframe draft. This foundational phase is critical in Western Canada, where regional requirements—like accessibility compliance under WCAG and the AODA—must also be addressed early.

2. UX/UI Design

If you’ve Googled “What is UX/UI design?” or “How do you design a mobile-friendly website?”, you’re already thinking about user experience—and that’s a good thing. UX design focuses on usability and flow: how people navigate your site and whether they enjoy doing it. UI design shapes how your site looks and feels: colours, fonts, buttons, and layout.

Both UX and UI should be mobile-first and purpose-driven. A beautifully designed website that confuses users won’t perform. This is the phase where strategy starts to become tangible. Mockups and prototypes give you a first glimpse of your future site, and your feedback as a client is key—just be sure to frame it around usability, not personal taste.

3. Content Preparation

One of the most commonly underestimated stages, content preparation brings up important questions like, “Do I need to write content for my website?” and “What is a CMS and how does it work?” The answer is yes—content is not just important, it’s foundational.

Content includes your website’s written copy, photos, videos, downloads, calls to action, and forms. It needs to be clear, engaging, and matched to the user’s search intent. It should also be SEO-optimized, using Canadian English for consistency with local search standards. A good content management system (CMS), like WordPress or Shopify, makes managing that content easier after launch.

4. Development

Now we’re into the technical build—the point when you might be asking, “How is a website created and hosted?” or “What does front-end vs back-end mean?”

Development takes the approved design and content and brings it to life. The front-end is everything users see and interact with—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The back-end is the behind-the-scenes engine: your CMS, server, database, and any custom functionality.

For businesses in BC and Alberta, that might include multilingual support for diverse populations, or custom privacy configurations to meet PIPA (BC) or FOIP (Alberta) regulations. A good developer ensures the build is scalable, fast, and secure.

5. Testing & Quality Assurance (QA)

Testing is where things get real. Before your website launches, it must be tested across devices and browsers to ensure everything functions properly. If you’ve wondered “What does website QA include?” or “How do I know if my website is ready to launch?”, this is your checklist.

QA testing covers mobile responsiveness, accessibility features (such as keyboard navigation and screen reader support), checking for broken links, and page load speed—particularly critical for users in rural Alberta or Northern BC with slower internet access.

6. Launch & Post-Launch Support

So, what happens after your website goes live? Many people search for, “How do I track performance on my website?” or “What happens after my website is launched?” The answer is: a lot.

The launch is only the beginning of a website’s life. Post-launch activities include performance monitoring, SEO indexing, technical bug fixes, and analytics integration. You’ll also receive training on how to use your CMS effectively.

We recommend tools like Google Analytics 4, Google Search Console, and Hotjar to gather insights into user behaviour. These tools help you identify what’s working—and what needs improvement.

Who Does What? Understanding Roles

Building a website is a team effort, which leads many to ask, “Who is involved in the web development process?” and “What is the client’s role?”

Here’s how responsibilities are usually divided:

Client/Stakeholders: Provide approvals, content, and business context
Project Manager: Oversees timelines, communications, and deliverables
UX/UI Designer: Designs the site’s look and interaction
Web Developer: Codes and implements the design
SEO Specialist: Ensures the site ranks well in search engines
Content Strategist/Copywriter: Creates and structures text
QA Tester: Checks functionality across platforms

At Rose Agency, we also include content creators—like photographers and videographers—early in the process to ensure your visuals align with your brand strategy.

Still have questions? Dive deeper with our guide: Who Does What? Understanding Roles in Web Development

How to Collaborate Effectively as a Client

As a client, you might wonder, “How do I review web design work?” or “How involved should I be?” The answer: your input is critical, but it needs to be structured.

When reviewing design drafts, avoid vague feedback like, “I don’t like it.” Instead, focus on user needs and business objectives. Ask yourself: “Will this help our users accomplish their goal?”

Maintain open lines of communication and ask practical questions like:

What deliverables are expected in this phase?
What feedback format do you prefer?
What’s the timeline for revisions?

The more clarity and responsiveness you bring, the smoother the project runs.

If you want to learn more about how to collaborate with your web development team, check out our guide: Collaborate Like a Pro: A Guide for Web Design Clients

Smart Questions to Ask Your Web Team

Before starting your project, you’ll likely search, “What questions should I ask before starting a website project?” Asking the right questions upfront can prevent misalignment later.

Here are five to get you started:

What’s your process from strategy to launch?
Who will be my primary point of contact?
What’s included in post-launch support?
How many content/design revisions are built in?
What input do you need from me and when?

Key Concepts to Know

When building or managing a website, you’ll encounter a range of key concepts that frequently appear in search queries.

Design & UX

If you’re wondering “What makes a website user-friendly?” or “Why is UI consistency important?”, the answer lies in clarity and usability. A user-friendly website is intuitive, fast-loading, visually consistent, and accessible to all visitors—including those using screen readers or alternate input devices.

SEO & Performance

Clients often ask, “How is SEO integrated during development?” or “What are common bugs found in websites?” Developers should build clean, indexable code, optimize images, and ensure fast load times. Technical SEO should be a built-in part of development, not an afterthought.

Content & Strategy

“How do I structure content?” and “What is search intent?” are common content-related queries. Good content strategy involves aligning your messaging with what users are actually looking for and guiding them toward conversion.

Voice Search, Mobile, and Modern Considerations

Today’s users are searching on the go and using voice assistants more than ever. If you’ve searched, “What is voice search SEO?” or “How do I design for mobile-first?”, you’re keeping up with modern web standards.

Optimizing for voice search means answering questions clearly and concisely, using natural language, and structuring content to appear in featured snippets. Designing mobile-first means prioritizing fast load times, tap-friendly layouts, and clear CTAs on small screens.

For example, users in Burnaby or Lethbridge may search for your business using voice commands. If your website answers their questions conversationally and quickly, you’re one step ahead.

Final Thoughts: Build With Purpose

Great websites don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of clear strategy, honest collaboration, and thoughtful design.

If you’re about to build (or rebuild) your site, ask yourself:

Are we clear on what users need from us?
Do we have the right content?
Are we ready to stay involved?

Don’t just aim for “pretty”—aim for performant. Your website should:

Be easy to use
Serve real business goals
Evolve with your audience

Let’s Build Something Together

Ready to start your website journey with a trusted partner?

Rose Agency helps industrial, commercial, and public sector organizations bring their digital vision to life. From website design and SEO to photography, social media, and advertising—we offer strategy-first solutions with measurable results.

📞 Contact Rose Agency today for a consultation on your next web project.

➡️ www.roseagency.ca
✉️ [email protected]
📍 Serving Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and across Western Canada