Understand exactly how Compass Production partners with you—from discovery and content collection to design, development, launch, and ongoing support.
Overview: What It’s Like to Work With Compass Production
This article walks you through the typical end-to-end process of working with Compass Production on a new website or redesign. You’ll see what happens at each stage, what we need from you, and how we keep the project on track.
Project Stages at a Glance
- Stage 1: Discovery & Alignment
- Stage 2: Strategy & Site Architecture
- Stage 3: Content Collection & Copywriting
- Stage 4: Design & Prototyping
- Stage 5: Build & Technical Setup
- Stage 6: Review, Revisions & Approvals
- Stage 7: Launch & Post-Launch Support
Stage 1: Discovery & Alignment
The project starts with a structured discovery phase to understand your goals, audience, and constraints.
What We Do
- Kickoff call to clarify business goals, success metrics, and timelines.
- Review of any existing site, analytics, and brand materials.
- Identify key audiences and primary calls-to-action (CTAs).
- Confirm scope: page count, features, integrations, and must-haves.
What We Need From You
- Honest input about what is and isn’t working today.
- Examples of sites you like (and why).
- Any existing brand guidelines, logos, or visual assets.
- A single primary decision-maker and clear approval process.
What You Should See
By the end of discovery, you should have a clear written summary of goals, target audiences, and project scope, plus a high-level timeline so you know what’s coming next.
Stage 2: Strategy & Site Architecture
Next, we translate your goals into a practical structure for the website.
What We Do
- Create a proposed sitemap that outlines all key pages.
- Define page-level objectives (what each page must accomplish).
- Outline user journeys from entry points to conversion.
- Identify any technical or content gaps early.
What We Need From You
- Feedback on the sitemap: what’s missing, what’s unnecessary.
- Confirmation of priority pages for launch vs. later phases.
What You Should See
You’ll receive a sitemap document or diagram and a short explanation of how visitors will move through your site. Once approved, this becomes the blueprint for content and design.
Stage 3: Content Collection & Copywriting
With the structure in place, we gather or create the words and media that will live on your site.
What We Do
- Provide content templates or a content workbook for each key page.
- Offer copywriting or editing support, depending on your package.
- Advise on SEO basics: headings, keywords, and calls-to-action.
What We Need From You
- Existing copy, brochures, or presentations we can adapt.
- High-quality images, logos, and any required legal text.
- Timely review of any drafted copy.
What You Should See
You’ll see page-by-page content drafts or content outlines. Once content is approved or close to final, we move into visual design.
Stage 4: Design & Prototyping
Now we translate strategy and content into a visual experience that reflects your brand.
What We Do
- Design a homepage concept that sets the visual direction.
- Create key interior page layouts for consistency.
- Ensure designs are mobile-responsive and accessible.
- Plan how the design will be implemented in WordPress and Elementor.
What We Need From You
- Clear feedback on design rounds (what you like and why).
- Decisions on any optional visual elements or features.
What You Should See
You’ll receive design mockups or interactive prototypes. After a defined number of revision rounds, we lock the design so development can begin.
Stage 5: Build & Technical Setup
Once design is approved, we build the site in WordPress, typically using Elementor for flexible page layouts.
What We Do
- Set up a staging environment so changes aren’t public yet.
- Install and configure WordPress, theme, and required plugins.
- Build page templates and global components (headers, footers, buttons).
- Implement your approved content and design in Elementor.
- Configure basic SEO settings, performance, and security essentials.
What We Need From You
- Access to your hosting, domain registrar, and any third-party tools.
- Confirmation of any integrations (forms, CRM, email marketing, etc.).
What You Should See
You’ll receive a private staging link where you can click through the working site. This is where you confirm that the live build matches the approved designs and content.
Stage 6: Review, Revisions & Approvals
Before launch, we go through a structured review to catch issues and finalize details.
What We Do
- Test the site on major devices and browsers.
- Check forms, navigation, and key user flows.
- Run a pre-launch checklist for SEO, performance, and accessibility basics.
What We Need From You
- Consolidated feedback from your internal team.
- Final approval on content, design, and functionality.
- Sign-off on the launch date and any coordinated announcements.
What You Should See
You’ll see a punch-list of any remaining tweaks, along with a clear “ready to launch” confirmation once everything is approved.
Stage 7: Launch & Post-Launch Support
With approvals in place, we move the site from staging to your live domain and monitor closely.
What We Do
- Handle the technical launch and DNS or hosting changes.
- Set up redirects if you had an older site, to protect SEO.
- Monitor for immediate post-launch issues.
- Provide training or documentation on editing content in WordPress and Elementor.
What We Need From You
- Availability during the launch window in case decisions are needed.
- Confirmation that key forms, logins, and integrations are working on your side.
What You Should See
Your new site live on your domain, plus access to admin logins, training resources, and information about ongoing support or maintenance options.
How Communication & Approvals Work
Clear communication keeps the project on schedule and avoids surprises.
Typical Communication Channels
- Email for day-to-day questions and updates.
- Scheduled calls or video meetings at key milestones.
- Shared documents or project boards for tracking tasks and feedback.
Approval Best Practices
- Assign one internal owner who gathers feedback and gives final approval.
- Respond within agreed timelines so the schedule stays on track.
- Focus feedback on objectives: will this help your visitors do what they need to do?
What You Can Expect After Launch
After the site is live, we help you stay confident managing it.
Training & Handover
- Walkthrough of how to edit pages and posts in WordPress.
- Overview of Elementor basics if your site uses it.
- Guidance on safe updates and content changes.
Ongoing Support Options
- Maintenance plans for updates, backups, and security monitoring.
- Blocks of hours for future enhancements or new features.
- Periodic reviews to align the site with evolving business goals.
How to Get the Most Out of the Process
To make your project smoother and more successful:
- Be decisive about goals and priorities early.
- Prepare content and assets as soon as possible.
- Keep feedback focused, specific, and consolidated.
- View the site from your visitors’ perspective, not just internal preferences.
When we both bring clarity and responsiveness to the process, you get a site that launches on time, performs well, and is easier for your team to manage long-term.
