Project Managing Your Website Development as a Small Business

Creating a website for your small business is an exciting opportunity to showcase your products or services, connect with customers, and establish your online presence. However, managing the development process can feel overwhelming, especially if you have limited technical knowledge or resources. Effective project management is key to ensuring your website meets your goals, stays on budget, and launches on time.

In this guide, we’ll explore practical steps to help you successfully manage your website development project, even if you’re new to the process.

Define Your Objectives

Before you dive into website development, it’s important to clarify why you’re building a site and what you want it to achieve. Your objectives will guide every decision you make during the project.

Ask yourself questions like:

• What is the purpose of the website? (e.g., selling products, generating leads, showcasing services, or providing information)
• Who is your target audience?
• What actions do you want visitors to take? (e.g., filling out a contact form, purchasing a product, or signing up for a newsletter)

Once you’ve defined your goals, write them down. Having clear objectives will help you communicate effectively with your development team and stay focused throughout the project.

Establish a Budget

Your budget is a critical factor in website development. Decide how much you’re willing to invest, keeping in mind both upfront costs and ongoing expenses like hosting, maintenance, and updates.

When setting your budget, consider:

• Design and development costs (e.g., hiring professionals or purchasing templates)
• Domain registration and hosting fees
• Costs for additional features (e.g., e-commerce functionality, custom integrations, or SEO tools or professionals)
• Marketing expenses to promote the site after launch

Being clear about your financial limits from the start will help you make informed decisions and avoid unexpected costs.

Create a Project Plan

A project plan outlines the key steps, timelines, and responsibilities involved in your website development. It helps keep everyone on the same page and ensures the project stays on track.

Your plan should include:

• A list of deliverables (e.g., wireframes, designs, content, and the final site)
• Milestones and deadlines for each phase
• Roles and responsibilities for team members or external contractors

Using project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com can make it easier to organise tasks and monitor progress.

Choose the Right Team

You may choose to build your website in-house, hire freelancers, or work with a web development agency. Each option has its pros and cons, so it’s important to pick the right team based on your budget, timeline, and technical requirements.

When evaluating potential collaborators, consider:

• Their experience and portfolio (some website development agencies specialise in a particular industry for example)
• Testimonials or reviews from past clients
• Their communication style and responsiveness
• Whether they understand your business and target audience

Don’t be afraid to ask questions or request references. A strong, trustworthy team is essential for a successful project.

Develop a Detailed Brief

A detailed brief is the foundation of any successful project. It communicates your vision, requirements, and expectations to your development team.

Your brief should include:

• Your business goals and objectives for the site
• Information about your target audience
• Key features and functionality you need (e.g., e-commerce, booking systems, or contact forms)
• Branding guidelines, including your logo, colour palette, and tone of voice
• Examples of websites you like (and why you like them)

The more specific you are, the easier it will be for your team to deliver a site that meets your expectations.

Prioritise User Experience (UX)

A great website isn’t just visually appealing; it’s also easy to use. Prioritising user experience (UX) ensures your visitors can navigate your site effortlessly and find what they need.

Consider the following UX principles:

• Simplicity: Avoid clutter and focus on clear navigation.
• Speed: Ensure your site loads quickly on both desktop and mobile devices.
• Accessibility: Make your site inclusive for users with disabilities (e.g., by using alt text for images and clear fonts).
• Mobile-friendliness: Optimise your site for smartphones and tablets.

Regularly test your site during development to identify and fix usability issues before launch.

Plan Your Content

Content is one of the most important aspects of your website. It communicates your message, engages visitors, and helps with search engine optimisation (SEO).

Start by creating a content strategy that includes:

• A sitemap outlining the structure of your site
• Key pages (e.g., homepage, about us, services, and contact)
• High-quality images, videos, and graphics
• Engaging copy that reflects your brand’s voice

If writing isn’t your strong suit, consider hiring a professional copywriter to craft compelling, SEO-friendly content.

Monitor Progress and Stay Involved

As the project progresses, stay involved to ensure everything aligns with your vision. Regular communication with your team is crucial.

Schedule check-ins or progress reviews at key milestones, such as:

• Wireframe approval
• Design mock-ups
• Development and testing phases

Provide constructive feedback and address any concerns promptly. Your input is invaluable in creating a website that truly represents your business.

Test Thoroughly Before Launch

Testing is a vital step in the website development process. It helps you identify and fix any bugs or issues before your site goes live.

Conduct thorough testing to ensure:

• All content is there, the author has seen sites that have been live for a while with “content to follow” pages for example
• Check spelling on all the pages
• That all links and buttons work correctly
• Forms capture and send data as expected
• The site displays properly on different devices and browsers
• Page load times are fast, although this can often change when a site moves from a development to a production server if you are using an external firm to build your site.

You may also want to invite colleagues, friends, or customers to test the site and provide feedback.

Plan for a Smooth Launch

Launching your website is an exciting milestone, but it requires careful planning to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Steps to prepare for launch include:

• Setting up analytics tools like Google Analytics to track performance
• Backing up your old site before the new one goes live
• Double-checking that all content is accurate and up-to-date
• Announcing your launch through email, social media, or other marketing channels

Be prepared to monitor your site closely in the days following the launch and address any issues that arise.

Maintain and Update Your Site

Your website isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing investment. Regular maintenance and updates are essential to keep it running smoothly and meeting your business needs.

Consider the following maintenance tasks, especially if you are building and maintaining the site yourself :

• Updating plugins, themes, and software
• Monitoring site performance and fixing any issues
• Adding fresh content to keep your site relevant
• Reviewing and improving SEO strategies

Set aside time each month for maintenance, or hire a professional to manage it for you (it’s more than possible that if you use a professional that they will provide a package to cover one or more of these items).

Measure Success and Make Improvements

Once your website is live, track its performance to see if it’s meeting your goals. Use analytics tools to monitor metrics like:

• Website traffic
• Bounce rate (although this isn’t always relevant).
• Conversion rate (e.g., sales, form submissions, or sign-ups)
• User behaviour (e.g., time spent on pages or navigation paths)

Use this data to identify areas for improvement and make updates to optimise your site’s performance.

Final Thoughts

Managing a website development project as a small business owner may seem daunting, but with careful planning and clear communication, you can create a site that drives results. By defining your goals, assembling the right team, and staying involved throughout the process, you’ll set your business up for online success.

Remember, your website is a reflection of your brand. Invest the time and effort it deserves, and don’t be afraid to seek help from professionals when needed. With the right approach, your website can become a powerful tool for growing your business.