Process
Our Web Design Process: From Brief to Live
From first contact to go-live, every project follows the same structured process. You know exactly where you stand at every stage.
Initial Enquiry
You reach out to Webrio and tell us what you need. We will ask a few questions to understand your business and confirm which package suits you best. No commitment required at this stage.
Content and Brief Collection
We send you our Client Intake Form. You provide all written content (text for each page), high-resolution images and photo assets, your logo (PNG or SVG preferred), brand colours (HEX codes or description), and 2 to 3 reference websites whose style you like. Nothing gets built until we have everything we need. Incomplete submissions delay the project - the checklist is there for a reason.
Service Agreement and Deposit
We issue a Service Agreement outlining scope, pricing, revision terms, and your rights as a client. Once signed, we issue your deposit invoice. For Host with Webrio clients, the deposit is your first month's fee. For Design Only clients, the deposit is 50% of the agreed project fee. Your project starts the moment both the signed agreement and deposit are received.
Design and Build
We build your site. You do not need to do anything during this stage. No check-ins, no drafts, no back-and-forth. We work until it is ready. Build time varies by package and complexity.
Staged Preview
Your completed site is published to a private, password-protected staging URL hosted within the Webrio environment. We share the link with you directly. The staging URL is not indexed by search engines and is not publicly accessible. Only you have the link. Do not share it publicly. The site will only go live on your own domain once full payment is confirmed.
Client Review and Revisions
You review the site in full and provide feedback in writing via email. Spelling, punctuation, and factual corrections are unlimited and free. Content revisions (text, images, copy) include 2 rounds at no charge, then R400 per request after that. Structural changes (layout, navigation, new sections) are charged at R750 per hour. All revision requests must be submitted in writing. Requests submitted via any channel other than email will not be actioned.
Approval and Final Payment
You confirm your approval in writing via email. For Host with Webrio clients, written approval triggers your go-live. Your monthly billing starts from that date and no further lump sum is due. For Design Only clients, written approval triggers the final 50% invoice, payable immediately before any files or credentials are handed over. No written approval means no live site, no exceptions. No response within 7 days of the staging link being shared means the link is removed. No response within 30 days means the project is closed and the deposit is forfeited. Silence is not approval.
Go-Live
Once payment is confirmed, we point your domain DNS to your live site, configure your business email, verify all records (SPF, DKIM, MX, SSL), and confirm the site is live and accessible. For Host with Webrio clients, your monthly retainer starts from the go-live date and is billed on the 1st of the following calendar month. For Design Only clients, go-live means handover. We transfer all domain credentials, source files, and any third-party service access. Your project is then complete.
After Go-Live
For Host with Webrio clients, your monthly retainer keeps everything running: hosting, SSL, DNS, and platform uptime. Content updates and design changes are handled on request at published rates. For Design Only clients, the handover marks the end of the engagement. If you need ongoing maintenance or changes after delivery, contact us to arrange a separate maintenance agreement.
Design Only clients who want ongoing changes after handover are welcome to request ad hoc work. Content changes are R400 per request. Structural changes are R750 per hour. All requests must be submitted in writing.