What to Expect in the First Week After Hiring a Website Designer
Hiring a website designer near you is an exciting step—but what actually happens next? Once you’ve signed the agreement and paid your deposit, you might be wondering what to expect in that critical first week. A strong onboarding experience can set the tone for the entire project, so it’s worth understanding what should happen and what your role will be.
The onboarding process is more than a kickoff call or email. It’s where expectations are set, content is gathered, timelines are mapped, and communication starts to take shape. When done right, it helps avoid confusion later and ensures both you and your designer are aligned on the project’s vision and goals.
Initial Welcome and Project Overview
Most professional website designers will start with a welcome email or message that outlines the next steps. This communication may include:
If you don’t receive this kind of overview, it’s okay to ask for clarity. Knowing what’s expected of you early helps avoid delays down the road.
Discovery Questionnaire or Intake Call
Next, your designer may send a questionnaire or schedule a discovery call. This step is designed to gather critical information about your business, your goals, your audience, and your brand preferences.
Expect questions like:
This discovery phase ensures your website is built with purpose—not guesswork.
Collecting Content and Assets
Your designer will likely ask for things like:
If you don’t have content ready, many designers offer copywriting or stock image sourcing to help fill in the gaps. Just be upfront about what you need support with so the process doesn’t stall.
Setting Communication Expectations
One of the most important aspects of week one is establishing how you’ll communicate throughout the project. Your designer may:
Good communication early on prevents misunderstandings and ensures your project stays on track. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarity on how updates and revisions will work.
Design Brief and Early Concept Work
Once discovery is complete and content is in progress, your designer will start developing the initial concept. This might include:
While the full site won’t be built in the first week, you should see some signs of forward motion—especially on design direction. Your input here is crucial. Giving clear, specific feedback early helps the designer make adjustments before investing time in the full build.
Timeline and Milestone Confirmation
You’ll also get a more detailed project timeline during week one. This may include:
Make sure you understand what’s expected from you and when. Delays often happen when clients don’t respond to feedback requests, so set reminders or block out time to stay engaged.
Red Flags to Watch For
If you don’t hear anything from your designer after hiring them, or if they’re vague about what’s happening next, that’s a red flag. While some designers are juggling multiple projects, a good one will keep you informed and involved from day one.
You should never feel like you're in the dark. If communication is poor in the first week, it rarely improves later.
The First Week Sets the Tone
A productive first week creates momentum. It shows that your designer is organized, responsive, and invested in your success. For your part, being responsive, prepared, and communicative helps keep everything moving smoothly.
If you want to start your website project with confidence—and see exactly what your custom website could look like before committing—schedule your free custom website demonstration today. You’ll receive a tailored preview that shows what’s possible and sets the foundation for a seamless web design experience.
The onboarding process is more than a kickoff call or email. It’s where expectations are set, content is gathered, timelines are mapped, and communication starts to take shape. When done right, it helps avoid confusion later and ensures both you and your designer are aligned on the project’s vision and goals.
Initial Welcome and Project Overview
Most professional website designers will start with a welcome email or message that outlines the next steps. This communication may include:
- A summary of what was agreed upon
- Your project timeline and milestones
- Deadlines for providing content or feedback
- Instructions for how to communicate (email, meetings, client portal)
- Payment schedule (if applicable)
If you don’t receive this kind of overview, it’s okay to ask for clarity. Knowing what’s expected of you early helps avoid delays down the road.
Discovery Questionnaire or Intake Call
Next, your designer may send a questionnaire or schedule a discovery call. This step is designed to gather critical information about your business, your goals, your audience, and your brand preferences.
Expect questions like:
- What does your business do, and who do you serve?
- What pages or features do you need?
- Are there specific websites you like or dislike?
- Do you have a logo, branding, or images ready?
- What’s the main goal of your website (leads, sales, bookings, etc.)?
This discovery phase ensures your website is built with purpose—not guesswork.
Collecting Content and Assets
Your designer will likely ask for things like:
- Your logo in high-resolution format
- Any brand guidelines or color preferences
- Text content for each page (or at least a draft)
- Professional photos or product images
- Testimonials, certifications, or awards
If you don’t have content ready, many designers offer copywriting or stock image sourcing to help fill in the gaps. Just be upfront about what you need support with so the process doesn’t stall.
Setting Communication Expectations
One of the most important aspects of week one is establishing how you’ll communicate throughout the project. Your designer may:
- Set regular check-in times (weekly updates, milestone reviews)
- Invite you to a shared platform (like Trello, Asana, or Google Drive)
- Explain how to give feedback and who to contact with questions
Good communication early on prevents misunderstandings and ensures your project stays on track. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarity on how updates and revisions will work.
Design Brief and Early Concept Work
Once discovery is complete and content is in progress, your designer will start developing the initial concept. This might include:
- A wireframe (basic layout sketch)
- A mood board (visual style inspiration)
- A homepage mockup for feedback
While the full site won’t be built in the first week, you should see some signs of forward motion—especially on design direction. Your input here is crucial. Giving clear, specific feedback early helps the designer make adjustments before investing time in the full build.
Timeline and Milestone Confirmation
You’ll also get a more detailed project timeline during week one. This may include:
- When to expect the first design preview
- Deadlines for you to provide feedback
- When final revisions and launch will happen
Make sure you understand what’s expected from you and when. Delays often happen when clients don’t respond to feedback requests, so set reminders or block out time to stay engaged.
Red Flags to Watch For
If you don’t hear anything from your designer after hiring them, or if they’re vague about what’s happening next, that’s a red flag. While some designers are juggling multiple projects, a good one will keep you informed and involved from day one.
You should never feel like you're in the dark. If communication is poor in the first week, it rarely improves later.
The First Week Sets the Tone
A productive first week creates momentum. It shows that your designer is organized, responsive, and invested in your success. For your part, being responsive, prepared, and communicative helps keep everything moving smoothly.
If you want to start your website project with confidence—and see exactly what your custom website could look like before committing—schedule your free custom website demonstration today. You’ll receive a tailored preview that shows what’s possible and sets the foundation for a seamless web design experience.