Buoy’s website refresh process
discovery + audit
design
development
testing
launch
training + maintenance
discovery + audit
Step 1 | What do users need?
Lead kickoff conversation
Conduct team and stakeholder interviews to gather insights on motivations, desires, and requirements
Gather data-driven insight from user behavior: Using tools such as click tests, heatmaps, affinity mapping, and tree tests – all of which support us in designing a website built for intuitive wayfinding
Generate comprehensive sitemap: Understand where all resources live and how information is currently organized
Manage project timing and budget: Create week-by-week project plan, determine a regular cadence to meet, and ensure alignment on scope and timing
design
Step 2 | What should it look and feel like?
Propose updated sitemap: User experience (UX) design to center the most vital content, design a behavior flow tailored to key audiences, and organize information and resources clearly — including navigation recommendations
Create wireframes
Design full-page mockups
Create graphic representations and employ animations, where additive
Review designs against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2) and use paid accessibility tools to ensure needs of users are met
Includes color contrast, type hierarchy, and completed alt tags, as well as inserting descriptive link text, semantic code, screenreader accommodations, and alternative text for charts and graphics
Design solutions so all elements render effectively on any device (desktop, mobile, tablet)audiences might use to access the site
development
Step 3 | How should we build it?
Create duplicate backup and run all plugin updates
Build all website pages, beginning with homepage
Hold regular check-ins to ensure build matches expectations
Confirm site speed loading: Using tools such as site caching, image optimization, minification of CSS and scripts, and progressive loading of resources to improve time to contentful paint score
Implement search engine optimization (SEO) practices and tools
Ensure analytics tools are current
testing
Step 4 | How can we make it even better?
Share staging site with stakeholders
Provide process for sharing feedback
Test on all available web browsers and numerous devices
Troubleshoot bugs
Run site through final accessibility checkpoint
Obtain client signoff
launch
Step 5 | How do we share it with the world?
Migrate staging site live: Use weekend time when regular use drops to prevent any disruptions
Ensure all content and designs are loading correctly
Conduct final test on numerous browsers and devices
Support in drafting launch content: Social media posts, email blasts, and more
training + maintenance
Step 6 | How do we support you going forward?
Conduct virtual training session with potential WordPress administrators
Send multiple video guides highlighting all of site’s most important elements and how to edit
Manage monthly website maintenance, plugin updates, and new element builds for one year following launch