How to Create a Website – Where to Start?
Website goals and target audience
Before you start building your website, think about why you need it. Is it to share information, build brand trust, sell services, or maybe grow a community?
Then map out your target audience. Who are the people you want visiting your site? You can use persona cards—they help you understand what kind of content and features your visitors actually expect. That way, you can build something useful and memorable.
Website budget and expectations
The usual move is to ask for quotes from multiple agencies and then compare them. In practice, that often doesn’t work. Agencies underbid to compete, and the client’s expectations get lost. You end up with a compromise nobody’s happy with.
We personally decline projects where we see that the budget just won’t allow for a great result. Or if the project simply doesn’t interest us. I recommend being transparent about your budget. That way, agencies can tell you what’s realistic within that range.
Website pricing varies wildly. A higher price doesn’t guarantee better results, but going for the cheapest option can end up costing more in the long run. Your job is to find the best balance between price and quality.
Find inspiration for your website design
Pay attention to what works (and what doesn’t) when browsing other sites. Make notes. What layouts feel smooth, what annoys you, which features feel nice to use?
Inspiration doesn’t have to come from competitors. It’s often better if it doesn’t. If you work with a designer, share your notes. A good designer can translate your impressions into practical design choices.
Planning your website functionality
Once you know your goals and audience, it’s time to think about functionality. Do you need to show off products? Sell online? Display multiple office locations on a map?
Write down the features that are absolutely essential. An agency can help fine-tune things later—but no one knows your business like you do.
Build it yourself or hire a web agency?
If it’s a simpler site and you’ve got some skilled friends, you might pull it off yourself. But if you want something more thought-out and results-driven, consider working with an agency.
Choosing one can feel overwhelming. Start by looking at a few portfolios. Choose a couple whose work speaks to you and set up a video call or quick chat. That’s often enough to feel if the chemistry is right.
PS: If an agency is pushing ads everywhere, ask yourself—do they not trust their own SEO? Or are they constantly looking for new clients because the old ones don’t stick around?
Building your site yourself
Choosing your domain name
A domain name is your website’s address online. For example, https://give.ee or https://weekendvisuals.com are domain names.
If you already own one, great. If not, choose something short, memorable, and related to your business. If you’re aiming internationally, go with a .com. In Estonia, .ee is a strong choice. If both are taken, consider .io or other niche endings—especially if you’re a startup.
Picking a website platform
Go with something like WordPress, Framer, Webflow, Wix, Squarespace, or for e-commerce, Shopify. If you’re a beginner, Framer is a solid place to start. Webflow is more advanced but still way easier than coding from scratch.
Read why Framer might be a good choice or check out no-code platforms. There’s a lot of WordPress knowledge out there, but for DIYers, it can quickly get overwhelming.
Website design and user experience
Pick a design that fits your brand and speaks to your target group. Prioritize mobile usability—most visitors will find you through their phone.
Hiring a web agency
A good agency takes the lead and guides you through the process. But there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Deadlines in website projects
Agree on clear, specific deadlines. Give quick, structured feedback—it helps everything move faster. If an agency is missing dates early on, ask why. Good collaboration depends on trust.
Briefing and communication
Share your expectations and goals. Designers don’t read minds. The more info you give, the better the result.
Design roast and external review
Want a second opinion? Have another agency review the work. We do design roasts for this exact reason—it’s easier to fix things early on. Sometimes it’s not about fixing mistakes, but simply spotting ways to get better results.
Two heads really are better than one.
What is a design roast?Reviewing design drafts
When you get mockups, don’t judge them based on your personal taste. Try to see them through your audience’s eyes. UX and professionalism matter more than whether you “like” the color blue.
Responsive design
Ask for mobile layouts. At least for the main screens.
Creating your website content
Website content usually falls into two buckets: your core offer (products, services, brand story) and value-driven content like blog posts, guides, and updates.
If you want to save on budget, you can create a lot of this yourself. Get a photographer or video team if you can—great visuals build trust and help sell.
For writing and brainstorming, bounce ideas off tools like ChatGPT or Claude.
Testing and polishing your site
Before you launch, test everything. Does the contact form work? Is it mobile-friendly? Get feedback from test users and improve accordingly.
Improving and updating over time
Your website is never finished. There’s always something to test, tweak, or refine. Tech evolves fast—stay current.
If you haven’t built anything yet, a design sprint can be a fast, cost-effective way to start.
See how we ran a sprint for Taskily
Also, track your SEO. Check which keywords are driving traffic—or not—and adjust.
Want to rank on Google’s front page? Read our SEO tips here.
Time to build your new website
Your website is one of your most powerful marketing tools. It works 24/7 and can win trust and drive sales.
The truth? Most Estonian websites are outdated or just messy. Technically working, but visually off-putting. And that impacts business.
Not sure where to begin? Start here and let’s talk if you want a site that delivers real results.