What to Expect When You Hire a Web Designer (The Entire Process Explained)

You know you need a website. Maybe your current one looks like it was built during the Obama administration. Maybe you don’t have one at all. Either way, you’ve decided it’s time — but you have no idea what the process actually looks like.

That uncertainty keeps a lot of contractors from pulling the trigger. You’re busy running crews, managing projects, and chasing permits. The last thing you want is a drawn-out, confusing web design process that eats into your time.

Here’s the good news: working with the right web designer should be straightforward. At MG Group Solutions, we’ve refined our process to get Atlanta contractors from “I need a website” to “my site is live” in about seven days. Here’s exactly what that looks like.

Step 1: The Discovery Call (Day 1)

Everything starts with a conversation. This isn’t a hard sell — it’s us learning about your business so we can build the right site.

We’ll ask you questions like:

  • What trades or services do you specialize in?
  • What cities and neighborhoods do you serve?
  • Who is your ideal customer? (Homeowners? Property managers? General contractors?)
  • What do you want your website to accomplish? (More phone calls? Quote requests? Credibility?)
  • Do you have photos of your work, a logo, or any existing brand materials?
  • Who are your main competitors in the area?

This call typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. You don’t need to prepare anything specific — just show up and talk about your business. We handle the rest.

If you don’t have a current website, we’ll also discuss your goals for getting found on Google. If you do have a site, we may offer a quick assessment of what’s working and what’s not. You can get a free audit here before our call if you’d like a head start.

Step 2: Content and Copy (Days 1-2)

This is where most contractors expect they’ll need to do a lot of work. They picture writing pages of content, coming up with taglines, and figuring out what to say about their services.

That’s not how we work.

We write all the copy for you. Based on our discovery call, we create:

  • Your homepage headline and supporting text
  • Service descriptions tailored to what you actually do
  • An “About” page that tells your story without sounding generic
  • Calls to action throughout the site designed to get phone calls and quote requests
  • Location-specific content to help you rank in your service areas

All we need from you is your business information and any photos of your work. If you don’t have professional photos, that’s fine — phone photos work great as long as they’re clear. We can also work with stock photography that matches your trade.

Step 3: Design and Build (Days 2-5)

While you’re focused on running your business, we’re building your website. This is where the actual design and development happens.

Here’s what we handle during this phase:

Design: We create a clean, modern layout that matches your brand. Every element is intentional — the colors, the font choices, the placement of contact forms and phone numbers. Everything is designed to build trust with potential customers and make it easy to reach you.

Mobile optimization: We build mobile-first, meaning your site looks and works perfectly on phones and tablets before we even think about the desktop version. This matters because over 70% of your potential customers will find you on their phone.

SEO foundation: As we build, we’re also laying the groundwork for search engine visibility. This includes proper heading structure, meta titles and descriptions, image optimization, fast load times, and location-specific page targeting.

Integrations: We set up contact forms, click-to-call phone numbers, Google Maps, and connections to your Google Business Profile. Everything a contractor needs to capture leads.

You don’t need to be involved during this phase. We do the heavy lifting so you can stay focused on your job sites.

Step 4: Review and Feedback (Day 5-6)

We send you a preview link so you can see your site before it goes live. This is your chance to review everything and tell us what you’d like changed.

Common feedback at this stage includes:

  • Adjusting colors or fonts to better match your brand
  • Swapping photos or adding new project images
  • Tweaking copy or adding details about specific services
  • Rearranging sections or adding testimonials

Most clients request one round of revisions. Some love it right away. Either way, we keep going until you’re 100% satisfied.

Step 5: Launch (Day 7)

Once you approve the final version, we handle the entire launch process:

  • Connecting your domain name (or helping you get one if you don’t have one)
  • Setting up SSL for security (the padlock icon in the browser)
  • Final performance optimization for speed
  • Submitting your site to Google for indexing
  • Verifying all forms, links, and functionality work correctly

Your site is live, it’s fast, it looks professional, and it’s ready to start generating leads.

Step 6: Ongoing Support

Launching is just the beginning. Websites need ongoing care — security updates, plugin maintenance, performance monitoring, and content updates. We offer maintenance plans that handle all of this so you never have to think about it.

We also monitor your site’s performance and search rankings, making adjustments as needed to keep improving your visibility on Google.

What Makes This Process Different

If you’ve worked with web designers before (or heard horror stories from other contractors), you might be skeptical. Here’s what’s different about our approach:

  • We specialize in contractors. We’re not figuring out your industry as we go. We know what contractor websites need because it’s all we do.
  • We respect your time. You’re running a business. Our process is designed to need minimal input from you while still producing a site that feels completely yours.
  • We’re fast. Seven days, not seven weeks. You shouldn’t have to wait a month to get a functioning website.
  • No jargon. We explain everything in plain English and keep you informed without overwhelming you.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’ve been putting off getting a new website because you thought it would be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming — it doesn’t have to be.

Start with a free site audit and we’ll show you exactly where your current online presence stands. Or contact us directly to start the conversation. Either way, you could have a professional, lead-generating website live within a week.

Need Help Implementing This?

We build websites specifically for Atlanta contractors. Get a free audit and see exactly what we can do for your business.

Get Your Free Site Audit