Congratulations! You’ve just signed the contract for your shiny new HubSpot website redesign with Media Junction. That’s a big step—and one worth celebrating.
But let’s be real: while the excitement is high, you might also feel a bit overwhelmed by what comes next. After all, “website redesign” can feel like standing at the base of a mountain, staring up at a long, winding trail to the top.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to climb it alone. Think of us as your website redesign sherpas—here to guide you, carry the heavy gear, and show you the map. We’ll break down the journey into clear, manageable steps, so you always know what’s coming and how to prepare (because leaving behind your flashlight never ends well).
In this article, we’ll outline the nine key milestones of our redesign process, explain what happens at each stage, and share the timelines you can expect.
Ready to reach the summit? Let’s get started!
1. onboarding phase: welcome to the team
timeline: 1-2 weeks
Think of the onboarding phase as packing your gear and gathering your team before the hike begins. This is where we make sure you’re fully equipped and everyone involved knows the plan.
One of the highlights of this phase is the kickoff meeting, a crucial step to ensure alignment and set expectations on both sides.
During this meeting, you’ll meet your project manager (your lead guide), the Media Junction team, and key stakeholders on your end. We’ll review goals, timelines, and milestones so we’re all ready to take the first step together.
We ask that everyone who will play a role in the website redesign attends this meeting. Why? Because alignment at this stage ensures there are no surprises later on, and everyone has a shared understanding of the project goals and expectations.
On our side, you’ll meet your dedicated project manager, who will be your main point of contact throughout the process. You’ll also get introduced to other members of the media junction team who will contribute to your project—designers, strategists, developers, and anyone else critical to your success.
The purpose of the kickoff meeting is to:
- Review your business goals and how your website will help achieve them.
- Discuss your target audience and their needs.
- Align on the project timeline, deliverables, and milestones.
- Address logistical details like communication preferences, feedback processes, and any immediate priorities.
By the end of onboarding, you’ll not only have a clear roadmap for the project, but you’ll also feel confident knowing who’s involved, what to expect, and how we’ll work together to bring your vision to life.
This phase sets the foundation for everything that follows, ensuring we’re all marching toward the same goals from the start.
2. workshop phase: diving into discovery
timeline: 1-2 weeks
This phase is like studying the trail map and planning your route. You’ll identify the challenges ahead, understand the terrain, and decide how best to tackle the climb.
Through workshops like our Brand Messaging and Brand Personality, we’ll help you discover who your audience is and how to connect with them.
These sessions create the messaging foundation for your site, ensuring that every step of the redesign is purposeful and aligned with your goals.
The workshop phase isn’t mandatory, but it’s one of the most valuable steps in our process—and we highly recommend it. Why? Because the insights gained here create a strong foundation for your website’s messaging and personality, ensuring everything we create resonates with your audience.b
brand messaging: understanding your audience
Our Brand Messaging workshop focuses on defining who your buyers are, the challenges they face, and how your brand can help solve their problems.
We approach this by framing your business as the guide in your customers’ story, positioning your product or service as the solution to their needs.
During this session, we’ll dig into:
- Who your buyers are: What do they care about? What motivates them?
- The problems they’re experiencing: What pain points are they looking to solve?
- The solutions they’re after: How can your business meet their needs and exceed their expectations?
- Your brand’s positioning: How do you become the trusted guide your buyers turn to?
This workshop is more than just an exercise in empathy. It’s a strategic deep dive that defines the core messaging that will appear across your website, from your homepage headline to your calls-to-action.
Done right, it sets the tone for how your website communicates value and builds trust.
brand personality: developing your voice and tone
The Brand Personality workshop complements Brand Messaging by answering one big question: How will we talk to your audience?
IfBrand Messaging identifies who you’re talking to, this session defines how you'll talk to them. Through this workshop, we’ll help you develop a consistent voice and tone that reflects your brand’s personality while aligning with your audience’s preferences.
Whether your tone is friendly and approachable or polished and professional, the goal is to make sure every page of your website feels cohesive and authentic.
Maybe you need a bold and adventurous voice to inspire action, or a compassionate and empathetic tone to build trust. No matter the direction, we’ll help you find the right balance to connect with your audience while staying true to your brand.
During the session, we’ll work on:
- Identifying key traits of your brand’s voice (e.g., playful, bold, trustworthy).
- Developing guidelines for tone adjustments across different types of content.
- Ensuring the voice aligns with your Brand messaging.
practical applications of the workshop phase
While these workshops are engaging and collaborative, they’re not just “nice to haves.” The insights and outputs from these sessions have direct, practical applications for your website. For example:
- Brand Messaging elements often appear on key pages like the homepage, “About” page, and service pages to guide visitors toward action.
- Brand Personality guidelines ensure your voice is consistent across every page, from headlines to footer text.
When done well, these workshops ensure your website not only speaks to your audience but does so in a way that feels like a conversation they want to have.
Even if your business already has some of these elements in place, the workshop phase refines and strengthens them, helping you get the most out of your redesign.
It’s not just a phase of the process—it’s an investment in clarity, cohesion, and connection with your customers.
3. strategy phase: setting the course
timeline: 3-4 weeks
The strategy phase is like an all-hands meeting before the big push up the mountain. This is where we finalize the exact route to the summit, ensuring everyone—on both your team and ours—is aligned on how to get there.
During this phase, we solidify the foundation of your website by mapping out its structure, defining key user journeys, and prioritizing goals. It’s all about clarity and collaboration, ensuring the plan ahead is as efficient and effective as possible.
Here’s a closer look at each step in the strategy phase:
stakeholder call: aligning the team
To kick off the strategy phase, we schedule a call with all key stakeholders—both from your team and ours. This ensures everyone is aligned before we move into the heavier strategic work.
During this call, we’ll review your answers from our stakeholder survey, discuss any lingering questions, and confirm priorities for the sitemap, content, and user flows.
It’s an opportunity to get buy-in from everyone involved and set clear expectations for the deliverables and timelines ahead.
developing the sitemap: structuring the site
The sitemap is essentially the blueprint for your website. It outlines the hierarchy and navigation structure, helping us determine what pages are needed and how they’ll be organized.
Our team collaborates with you to:
- Identify core pages (like the homepage, services pages, or landing pages).
- Map out secondary and supporting pages (like FAQs or blog categories).
- Ensure the navigation is intuitive for users and optimized for SEO.
By the end of this step, you’ll have a clear picture of how your website will be structured, making it easier to envision the flow of information.
wireframes and key content planning: building the foundation
Once the sitemap is approved, we move on to wireframes. These are simple, black-and-white layouts, built in Figma, that focus on functionality and content placement rather than design.
Wireframes are critical because they allow us to:
- Plan the layout of key pages (e.g., where headlines, critical sections, CTAs, and forms will go).
- Highlight key user journeys to ensure visitors can navigate your site with ease.
- Begin integrating essential content elements, which often stem from the Brand Messaging workshop.
strategy presentation: bringing it all together
Once the sitemap and wireframes are complete, we’ll schedule a strategy presentation.
This is where we walk you through the proposed site structure, key content elements, and user flows, connecting the dots between your goals and how the website will achieve them.
This presentation is a collaborative moment where you can ask questions, provide feedback, and make suggestions.
strategy review and approval: finalizing the blueprint
After the strategy presentation, we allow time for your team to review the proposed plan in detail.
This is your chance to:
- Ensure the sitemap aligns with your business needs.
- Confirm the wireframes represent your goals.
- Highlight any adjustments or additions you’d like us to make.
Once all feedback has been addressed and the strategy is approved, we move forward with confidence, knowing the groundwork has been thoughtfully laid out.
The strategy phase is one of the most collaborative steps in the redesign process, ensuring your vision is clear and actionable before we start designing and building. It’s where we transform ideas into a practical plan, setting the stage for the exciting work ahead.
4. design phase: bringing your vision to life
timeline: 4-6 weeks
The design phase is like arriving at a beautiful lookout point on your hike, where you can finally see the trail ahead and start visualizing the summit.
This is where all the strategic planning begins to take shape visually, as your website transforms from ideas and wireframes into a fully realized design that reflects your brand’s personality and meets your goals.
refining the wireframes in Figma
We start the design phase by returning to the black-and-white wireframes we developed in the strategy phase. Our design team begins adding the creative elements that will bring your site to life.
This process involves applying your brand’s colors, typography, and imagery to the wireframes, turning them into high-fidelity mockups. We ensure that every detail aligns with your brand’s identity and resonates with your target audience.
The focus at this stage is on creating a cohesive look and feel across the website, while still maintaining the functional layouts and user flows established earlier.
Think of this as adding the paint, furniture, and decor to the blueprint of a house—it’s where the vision really starts to come together.
collaborating with you on the designs
Design isn’t a one-way street; it’s a collaboration. Once the initial designs are ready, we present them to your team for review. We’ll walk you through the mockups, explaining how design choices support your brand and user experience goals.
This is your opportunity to provide feedback—whether it’s tweaking a color, adjusting a layout, or reimagining an element. We work iteratively, incorporating your input to refine the designs until they’re exactly what you envision.
focusing on user experience and functionality
Throughout the design process, we keep user experience (UX) front and center. While the visuals need to be stunning, they also need to work seamlessly for your audience.
That means:
- Ensuring navigation is intuitive and accessible.
- Highlighting key calls-to-action so users know what to do next.
- Balancing visual elements with fast loading times and responsiveness.
5. content collection phase: crafting the message
timeline: 3-6 weeks (overlaps with design phase)
The content collection phase is like tackling the steepest part of the trail, where the real effort begins. This is where you, the client, do the heavy lifting—gathering and creating the content that will populate your new website.
While media junction is here to guide you through the process, the success of this phase depends on your ability to organize, write, and deliver what’s needed to bring your website to life.
Content creation might sound straightforward, but it’s often a much bigger lift than people expect—especially for a redesign. Let’s dive into why this phase requires careful planning and execution to stay on track.
new content vs. recycled content
One of the first decisions to make is whether to create new content or reuse existing copy from your current site.
While it’s tempting to repurpose what you already have, a website redesign is an opportunity to create content that reflects your updated goals, voice, and buyer’s journeys.
Here’s what to consider:
- New content: This is usually the best option for aligning with the fresh design, new voice and tone, and updated audience insights gained in the workshop and strategy phases.
- Recycled content: In some cases, certain pages or sections may still be relevant and can be adapted rather than rewritten entirely.
If you have multiple language variants, specialized product or service pages, or significant new content needs, this phase can become even more demanding.
the scope of the content lift
The amount of work required depends on several factors:
- How many pages need to be written or updated.
- The complexity of the content (e.g., detailed technical specs vs. general informational pages).
- The resources you have—do you have a dedicated writer, or will multiple people collaborate on content?
- Images and videos—Gathering high-quality visuals is just as important as written content and often requires coordination with internal or external teams.
Too often, clients underestimate how much effort this phase takes. Waiting until the last minute to tackle it can result in rushed, incomplete, or low-quality content that doesn’t do justice to your new website.
how to pace yourself
The key to surviving (and thriving in) the content collection phase is time management.
Here’s a practical approach:
- Start early: The moment you know your content deadline, start planning. This isn’t a task you want to leave until the eleventh hour.
- Break it down: Look at the number of pages you need to create and the time available. Divide the work evenly across the weeks leading up to the deadline.
- Mix it up: Don’t tackle all the easy pages first and leave the difficult ones for last. That’s like taking nothing but 100-level college courses your first few years and saving all the 400-level classes for the end—it leads to burnout and stress. Instead, alternate between simple and complex pages to balance your workload.
- Build in time for reviews: Plan for internal reviews with your team. Whether it’s product managers, service owners, or subject matter experts (SMEs), you’ll likely need input from others. These meetings take time, so schedule them in advance.
the importance of staying on schedule
Missing content deadlines can create a ripple effect, delaying the development and implementation phases. That’s why we emphasize starting early, pacing yourself, and keeping lines of communication open with your team and media junction.
By approaching content collection methodically and intentionally, you’ll avoid the last-minute scramble, ensure your messaging is polished and aligned with your goals, and make the transition to the next phase smooth for everyone involved.
Remember: great design can only shine if it’s paired with strong, compelling content. Take the time to get it right.
6. development phase: building the engine
timeline: 4-5 weeks
The development phase is where you get to relax around a campfire a little bit while your guides climb ahead to set anchors, secure ropes, and mark the route for the final ascent.
This is where media junction takes charge, translating everything we’ve planned and designed into a fully functional website.
what happens during development?
During this phase, we take the approved designs and begin coding your website. Our developers work within HubSpot CMS to bring the visual elements, layouts, and functionality to life.
This includes:
- Writing clean, efficient code to ensure your site performs well.
- Implementing responsive design, so your site looks great on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
- Integrating forms, CRMs, and other tools to support your business processes.
We also conduct internal testing as we build, ensuring that every element functions properly and meets the quality standards we set during the strategy and design phases.
why you won’t hear from us much
Unlike previous phases, where collaboration was key, the development phase is mostly on us. While we’re busy coding and testing, you’ll likely hear less from our team during this time. That’s because this phase is all about execution—taking everything we’ve planned, designed, and strategized and turning it into a fully functional website.
If we do need to reach out, it’ll typically be to clarify something from the earlier phases or to provide updates on progress. Otherwise, trust that we’re hard at work behind the scenes.
7. implementation phase: getting your site ready to launch
timeline: 3-5 weeks
The implementation phase is like preparing for the final climb to the summit. This is where the ropes are secured, the gear is double-checked, and everything is put into place for a smooth ascent.
Media junction assembles all the pieces—content, design, and functionality—so your site is fully prepared for launch.
We break this phase into three key steps:
- Pre-implementation: Before setting up pages, we confirm that all required materials are complete. This includes content, images, multimedia, forms, links, CTAs, and properly filled-out database spreadsheets.
- Setting up pages and SEO: Next, we structure the pages by applying the right module layouts and configuring forms and links. We also optimize each page for SEO, adding titles, URLs, and meta descriptions to improve search performance.
- Content and final touches: Finally, we populate the pages with content, images, and multimedia, ensuring they look and function as they should.
Once this is complete, we conduct quality assurance testing, verifying that the pages display properly across devices and browsers. Then, it’s your turn to review the pages and provide feedback.
Training your team for future page creation
As part of the implementation phase, we also offer training for your team members. Our implementation team will walk your designated team members through the process of creating and managing pages. This ensures that when it’s time to add new pages in the future, you’ll have the skills and confidence to handle it without feeling lost.
Whether it’s understanding module layouts, managing SEO settings, or working within the HubSpot CMS, this training is designed to empower your team and set you up for long-term success.
If any content isn’t ready, you have two options:
- We can launch pages with placeholder copy.
- We can hold those pages back for you to publish later.
By the end of implementation, your site is fully staged, polished, and ready for launch day. This phase ensures your website will meet your expectations and deliver a great experience from the start.
8. launch day: flipping the switch to your new site
timeline: 1 day
Launch day is like reaching the summit of your mountain climb. After months of effort, planning, and teamwork, it’s time to plant your flag and enjoy the view.
But just like a successful ascent, there are a few critical steps to ensure everything goes smoothly before the celebration begins.
We start with a final quality-assurance check, reviewing for missing or broken elements and ensuring all SEO details (like URLs, title tags, and meta descriptions) are accurate.
Next comes updating your DNS records, the technical step that points your domain to the new HubSpot server. This is coordinated in a pre-launch meeting with your IT team, typically early in the morning (around 6 a.m.) to minimize downtime.
Once updated, DNS propagation begins, which can take anywhere from minutes to 24 hours as internet providers and browsers update their caches.
During this time, some users may still see the old website. We recommend waiting before checking your site, as your own network may cache the old version. A hard refresh usually resolves this.
We’ll guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth launch and an exciting debut for your new website.
9. post-launch support: ensuring a smooth transition
timeline: 1 Week
You’ve reached the summit, but the journey isn’t over yet—there’s still the descent to manage. Post-launch support is like making your way back down the mountain, ensuring everything is stable and secure after the climb.
It’s an essential part of the process to make sure your website performs flawlessly in its new environment.
The post-launch support period, typically lasting about a week, is when our team monitors your site to ensure everything is running smoothly. We’ll check for broken links, site speed hiccups, and any bugs that may have snuck through the cracks.
Think of this as your website’s final tune-up. While most issues are rare, this window lets us catch and fix anything unexpected.
Some factors, like site speed, can be influenced by external players (looking at you, DNS providers). Don’t worry, we’re here to troubleshoot and ensure your site performs at its best as it settles into its new digital home.
you’ve got a beautiful website—now what?
Congratulations on making it through the redesign process! Just like summiting a mountain, you’ve overcome the toughest challenges and achieved something incredible—a stunning, functional website.
But as any seasoned hiker knows, the journey doesn’t end at the top.
Now it’s time to maximize the impact of your new site. Whether you need ongoing technical HubSpot support to keep your site running smoothly or help driving traffic and generating leads, our retainer services have you covered.
Your website is a powerful tool—let’s make the most of it. Reach out to discuss how we can help you grow with tailored marketing strategies or technical support that keeps your site in peak condition. Together, we’ll turn your new website into the growth engine your business deserves.
