Over the past 20 years, I have encountered countless businesses frustrated with their newly launched websites. Too often, they invest time and money into a project only to end up with a site that doesn’t meet their expectations.
This should never happen.
A custom WordPress website should be a seamless collaboration between you and your development team. Our process is iterative, meaning you’re involved at every stage—from initial brainstorming to final launch. At DisplayGround Development, we ensure that design, functionality, and content evolve through continuous feedback, so there are no surprises.
Here’s what you can expect when working with us on a custom WordPress project.
The Process
Your project will move through multiple steps, across three structured phases: Design, Development, and Testing & Content Population. Each phase is handled by experts who specialize in that area, ensuring the best results for your website.
Phase 1: Design
The design phase is where we establish the visual direction for your website. This is a highly collaborative step where we translate your brand’s personality and goals into a compelling online presence. Here’s how we do it:
Click to enlarge the moodboard.
Moodboard Creation
We start by gathering inspiration, defining color palettes, typography, and overall aesthetics to establish the look and feel of the site.
Click to enlarge the wireframe layout.
Page Wireframing
Before diving into detailed design, we create wireframes that map out the layout and structure of each page, ensuring optimal user experience and content flow. Wireframes serve as blueprints for your website, helping us establish the placement of key elements and interactions before refining the visual aesthetics.
During this phase, we also take note of essential functionality requests, such as:
- Modal Pop-ups – Identifying areas where pop-ups can enhance user engagement without disrupting navigation.
- Sticky Navigation – Ensuring key navigation elements remain accessible as users scroll.
- Animation Effects – Planning subtle animations that guide users through the site without overwhelming them.
By laying this foundation early in the process, we ensure that every functional aspect of your website is thoughtfully incorporated into the final design and development stages.
Click to enlarge the high resolution design.
High Resolution Designs
Using the wireframes as a foundation, we develop detailed, high-resolution designs that bring your brand to life while ensuring usability and accessibility best practices are met. This stage is about refining the visual and interactive aspects of your site to create a compelling and intuitive user experience.
Key aspects of this stage include:
- Brand Alignment – We ensure every element, from typography to color schemes, reflects your brand identity.
- User Experience Focus – Designs are structured to be intuitive, guiding visitors seamlessly through your content.
We believe in a collaborative approach, working closely with you to refine and adjust designs based on your feedback. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we iterate on the visuals until they meet your expectations.
Phase 2: Development
At this point, your work as the client is mostly complete. During development, we put our heads down and turn the design into a fully functional website.
We take a handcrafted approach to development, ensuring your site is built for:
- Performance – Our custom-coded sites load faster and provide a seamless user experience.
- Crawlability – Clean, structured code enhances SEO and ensures search engines can index your content effectively.
- Ease of Editing – We build intuitive backend systems that empower you to update content effortlessly.
Unlike many WordPress sites that rely on bulky page builders like Elementor, we create custom-coded websites that are:
- Lightweight & Fast – No unnecessary bloat, ensuring quicker load times and improved usability.
- Optimized for SEO – Structured for better search rankings and long-term visibility.
- Designed for Longevity – A sustainable, scalable solution that grows with your business.
Additionally, we structure our sites to give you access to 99% of your content, so you can make updates without needing a developer. Through a well-organized backend and intuitive WordPress admin controls, you’ll have the flexibility to manage text, images, and layouts with ease—without compromising the integrity of your custom design.
Phase 3: Testing & Content Population
The final phase ensures that your site is polished, functional, and ready for launch. This includes:
- Quality Assurance & Testing – We rigorously test your site across multiple devices and browsers to catch any potential issues before launch.
- Training – We provide hands-on training so you and your team feel confident managing content and making updates to your website.
- Content Population – Whether you provide the content or need assistance structuring it, we help ensure that everything is placed correctly for the best user experience.
- Site Launch – With everything in place, we take your site live, ensuring a smooth transition and a seamless user experience.
See this project’s portfolio page →
What Makes Us Different?
- Tailored Approach – No two projects are the same. We create custom solutions designed to support your unique business goals.
- Collaboration & Transparency – We work closely with you throughout the process, ensuring your vision is realized while keeping you informed at every stage.
- Long-Term Support – Our relationship doesn’t end at launch. We offer ongoing maintenance, updates, and support to keep your site running at its best.
When you work with us, you’re not just getting a website—you’re getting a strategic online platform built to serve your business for years to come. If you’re ready to get started, let’s talk!