What’s Included in a Web Design Services List?

Building a website isn’t just slapping some pictures and fancy animations on a page. It’s an investment that needs to pay off — by working smoothly, being easy to use, and looking sharp on any device. But what exactly happens when you hire a web design agency? Let me walk you through the main steps so you get what you’re really paying for—and what you should expect.

1) Getting Clear on What You Want: The Strategy Chat

This is where it all kicks off. The agency sits down with you — usually a call or face-to-face — and really digs into your business. Who are your customers? What do you want your website to do? Sell stuff? Get leads? Or just tell your story?

I had a client last year, a custom guitar maker in Melbourne. They wanted the site to show off their craftsmanship but also make it dead simple for people to request custom quotes. Getting that nailed down early saved us so much back-and-forth later. Without a clear plan, you risk ending up with a site that doesn’t really do the job.

2) Custom Design — No Templates Allowed

Forget cookie-cutter templates. A solid design team builds your site around your brand — your logo, colours, and vibe all wrapped up together. It’s not just about looking pretty. It’s about standing out and making visitors recognise you instantly.

If you sell high-end products, the design might focus on big, beautiful photos and clean pages. If you’re a service business, clear calls-to-action are what matter most. The design fits your business, not the other way around.

3) User Experience (UX) — Making It Easy for Visitors

People don’t stick around if they get lost or frustrated. UX is the behind-the-scenes magic that helps visitors find info, click buttons, fill out forms — without breaking a sweat.

Good UX means:

• Clear buttons and menus

• Easy-to-read fonts and spacing

• A smooth visual flow guiding visitors to what matters

A well-thought-out UX keeps people on your site longer — which means more chances to turn them into customers.

4) User Interface (UI) — The Look and Feel

UX is function. UI is style. UI covers how buttons feel when you click them, the fonts you see, icons, colours, even subtle animations that make the site feel alive.

Ever landed on a site where the button style changes on every page? That’s a UI fail. Consistency here keeps users comfortable and confident.

5) Mobile Responsiveness — Your Site on Every Device

More than half your visitors are probably on their phones or tablets. If your site looks great on a desktop but a mess on mobile, you’re losing people.

Mobile-first design means:

• Flexible layouts that adjust images and text

• Buttons and links big enough to tap easily

• A seamless experience no matter the screen size

I worked with a local cafe last year that lost nearly 30% of online bookings because their menu didn’t show right on mobiles. Fixing that was a game-changer for them.

6) Content Management System (CMS) — Take Control

Need to update your site but don’t want to bother a developer each time? A CMS like WordPress, Shopify, or Joomla makes it easy.

It lets you quickly add blog posts, swap photos, or update products whenever you need—no coding required.

7) E-commerce Features — Selling Online Made Simple

If you’re selling products, your site needs a smooth shopping experience — not just a list of items.

This means:

• Clear product pages with great photos and descriptions

• An easy-to-use shopping cart

• Secure payment options like PayPal, Stripe, or credit cards

• Order tracking and inventory tools

I’ve seen e-commerce sites lose sales because the checkout was clunky or confusing. Nail this, and your site works 24/7 as your best salesperson.

8) Development & Coding — Bringing It to Life

Once the design is set, developers write the code that makes your site actually work. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, maybe some backend stuff for user accounts or databases.

Good dev teams make sure your site loads fast, runs smooth, and can handle growing traffic. I’ve seen sites that look amazing but take forever to load — that kills SEO and user patience.

9) Maintenance & Support — Keeping Things Running

Launching your site isn’t the end. Websites need regular updates, bug fixes, security patches — otherwise stuff breaks and visitors get scared off.

Most agencies offer maintenance packages so you’re not stuck with outdated software or broken features.

10) Hosting & Domain — Where Your Site Lives

Your website needs a home that’s fast and reliable. Agencies help you pick the right hosting — from budget shared hosting to beefier VPS or dedicated servers.

They’ll also handle your domain name — buying it, renewing it, and making sure visitors always find you.

11) Analytics & Reporting — Knowing What Works

Once live, you want to see how your site performs. Google Analytics or similar tools show who’s visiting, which pages are popular, and where people drop off.

This info helps you make smart tweaks and keep improving over time.

Conclusion

A website isn’t just a pretty face. It’s your digital storefront, your lead machine, your online shop assistant. When you pick a web design agency, make sure they cover these bases. Don’t settle for just looking good — it’s gotta work hard for you, too.

Got a web project coming up? What’s the one thing you want your website to absolutely nail?