Most web design advice sounds great in a vacuum - that is until you're neck-deep in vague goals, messy content, and a site that doesn't convert. At Lodematter, we keep it simple: start with strategy, stay user-focused, and build a website that actually does something. This is our no-BS approach to web design that performs as good as it looks.

Define The Why

It’s real easy to get caught up in the shiny stuff: colors, fonts, animations, parallax scrolls that nobody asked for.

But great websites? They start with purpose.
What is this site for?
Who is it really talking to?
And what do we want them to do here?

Until we answer those questions together, we’re not designing a website, we’re decorating an empty box.

**POV:**

Before getting anything started, we run through our detailed checklist of Who, What, Where, and Why, the most important being the latter. Without it, we’ll wander aimlessly.

Map the Fix

Every project is part archaeology, part therapy.
We audit what’s working.
We get honest about what’s not.
We talk to real users, not just executives.

Then we map the stuff that matters:

What problems are we actually solving?
Where are people getting stuck, bored, or lost?
What stories aren’t being told (but should)?

This is where strategy meets empathy — and bad ideas go to die.

**POV:**

To kick things off, we’ll conduct a thorough audit of your site and give you a detailed, but easy-to-navigate view of what we think needs fixing, polishing, etc.

Write the Rules of the Road (aka The Brief)

This is the not-so-secret weapon of good design.

A creative brief = a north star + a reality check.

It makes sure everyone (you, us, your cousin who has “opinions”) knows:

What we’re building
Why it matters
Who it’s for
What success looks like

Short. Sharp. Zero fluff.

**POV:**

Less rock, paper, scissors, and more hard-boiled process strategy. These Rules of the Road keep us on track and focused on what matters most.

Mindful Design

Now we get to build.

But this isn’t “just make it pretty” time.
It’s:

Clear navigation.
Thoughtful storytelling.
Content people can actually read on their phones.
Conversion paths that feel human, not scammy.

Good design doesn’t just look good — it works hard.

**POV:**

One of the most crucial and highly collaborative pieces to the process is establishing a design language so we know that we’re building a platform that reflects your brand and aspirations.

Define Success

Before we hit publish, we set the scoreboard.

Success might look like:

More leads
Higher conversion rates
A smoother user journey
A site that finally feels like you

Whatever it is — we name it together, early.

Because websites aren’t art projects. They’re tools. And tools should earn their keep.

**POV:**

We’ll set you up with sophisticated measuring and analytics to ensure you can sit back and enjoy the ride.

TL;DR: The Lodematter Way

→ Purpose first.
→ Strategy always.
→ Design that does a damn good job.

The Lodematter Web Design Process