Collaborative Website Design Study: How We Help Small Businesses Revamp Their Websites
At ISS, we specialize in helping small businesses and nonprofits refresh their online presence through a collaborative, hands-on approach. One of the ways we do this is by offering a website design study—a process that gives businesses a preview of what a website redesign could look like without the need for a full overhaul. This approach allows clients to explore design possibilities, provide feedback, and chart a clear path forward before making any major commitments. In this post, we’ll walk you through how our design study works and why it’s an ideal starting point for businesses looking to update their websites.
The Design Study: A Stress-Free Way to Explore Website Changes
Not every business is ready to jump into a full-scale website redesign—and that’s perfectly fine. That’s where our design study comes in. Think of it as a low-pressure way to get a glimpse of what your website could look like, without diving into a massive project right away. It’s an excellent opportunity to explore different design ideas and make adjustments before making bigger decisions.
Step 1: Crafting a Customized Design Palette
The first step in our design study process is creating a customized design palette. This palette serves as the foundation for the redesign and includes:
New color schemes to bring warmth and make the site feel more inviting
Logo tweaks to refresh the branding, if necessary
A set of emotive words to help define the overall tone and feel of the site
Sample photography styles that focus on inclusivity and a welcoming atmosphere
This design palette offers a tangible framework for clients to review, ensuring they can visualize the direction of the redesign before we move on to more detailed design work.
Step 2: Building a Sample Page for Review
Once the design palette is finalized, we move on to building a sample page. This page typically showcases a critical area of the website, such as an About page or Areas of Practice, giving a real-world example of how the new design elements come together.
The key elements we focus on are:
User-friendliness: Ensuring the page is easy to navigate and read
Visual appeal: Using lighter colors and engaging imagery to create a welcoming look
Targeted design: Tailoring the layout and style to resonate with the business’s intended audience
While the sample page may include placeholder content, it gives the business a clear sense of what the redesigned site could look and feel like. It helps them visualize the end result and feel confident about the direction we’re heading.
Real-Time Collaboration: A Key to Effective Website Design
A standout feature of our design process is our commitment to real-time collaboration. Using tools like Figma, we make it easy to adjust the design live during meetings, allowing businesses to see changes unfold instantly. This interactive approach means clients can give feedback in real-time, and we can tweak layouts, colors, and other design elements on the spot.
This kind of real-time collaboration keeps the project moving forward quickly and ensures clients feel involved in the entire process. They’re not just spectators—they’re active participants in shaping the final design.
Why Choose a Design Study?
A website design study is the perfect option for businesses that want to explore new design ideas without fully committing to a full-scale website redesign right away. It offers several benefits:
Quick turnaround: We can deliver a detailed design concept within a few weeks.
Low-risk: It’s a great way to test new ideas without making major commitments upfront.
Collaborative feedback: The process is highly interactive, with clients involved every step of the way.
Ready to Reimagine Your Website?
At ISS, we believe in the power of collaboration and thoughtful design. Whether you’re looking to refresh your current website or are ready to create something entirely new, our design study approach is a fantastic starting point. Let’s work together to build a website that aligns with your business goals and engages your audience.