Seeing is Believing: A Look at your Website Drafts and Previews

As a client, you probably want to know what your website will look like before it’s fully completed. The good news is that most web design projects allow for some level of preview or draft access before the final product is launched.

Feedback Process

During the web design process, you will likely have the opportunity to provide feedback and make suggestions for changes. This feedback loop is an important part of the process, as it ensures that the end result aligns with your vision and needs.

To facilitate this process, many web design firms provide their clients with access to drafts or previews of the website as it is being built. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as:

• Giving you a temporary login to the front-end of the website, so you can see the progress as it is being made
• Your web developer will provide you with login information to access the front end of the website.
• This will allow you to see the progress of the website as it’s being built.
• You can leave comments and feedback directly on the website, which your developer can see and address.
• You can also request specific changes or updates to be made.
• This process allows for a collaborative and efficient way to ensure that the final product meets your needs and expectations.
• Sharing screen captures or mock-ups of specific pages or features
• Providing a link to a staging site, which is a test version of the website that is not yet live

Each web design firm will have its own preferred method of sharing drafts, so be sure to discuss this with your team and clarify any questions you may have.

FAQs

• Can I request changes to the drafts? Yes, you can request changes to the drafts as part of the feedback process. Keep in mind that making extensive changes to the design or functionality of the website after it has already been built can increase the overall cost and timeline of the project.
• Will I have to pay for drafts or preview access? This will depend on the terms of your contract with the web design firm. Some firms may include draft access as part of their standard services, while others may charge an additional fee. Be sure to clarify this before beginning the project.
• Can I show the drafts to others for feedback? It is generally acceptable to share drafts with a few key stakeholders within your organization for feedback purposes. However, you should not share the drafts publicly or with competitors, as this could compromise the confidentiality of the project.