Questions about what should be revamped and why, what benchmarks to follow, which platforms or technologies to use, and how to align the website with your business goals can make the decision-making process even more complex. You may also be uncertain about content strategy, UI/UX design, on-page SEO, or even the type of web project that best suits your needs—whether it’s a full-scale website, an e-commerce platform, a social commerce site, a web-based application, or a landing page.
This is where STRATO comes in. Our team of consultants helps businesses navigate these complexities, ensuring that every decision is backed by strategy and insight.
Technically, our process will be at Phase 0. Our process begins with a deep analytical phase, designed to define key features, determine technological integrations, and prioritize functionalities that will deliver the highest return on investment (ROI).
We do not handle web development or design execution; instead, we focus on the strategic groundwork to ensure that every decision made is data-driven, structured, and aligned with business objectives.
We start by collaborating with stakeholders to gather insights into their vision and expectations for the new website. Whenever possible, and within budget considerations, we also involve end-users to understand their needs and behaviors. This ensures that the site serves both business objectives and user expectations effectively.
To support our analysis, we conduct an in-depth website audit, which may include:
- Performance and Usability Analysis (e.g., site speed, mobile-friendliness, user navigation)
- Content Review (e.g., engagement levels, clarity, SEO performance)
- Competitive Benchmarking (e.g., analyzing industry best practices and key competitors)
- Technical Limitations & Opportunities (e.g., CMS flexibility, integration capabilities)
We also leverage Google Analytics and other data tools to evaluate visitor behavior and current user experiences.
Based on this research, we deliver a qualitative analysis along with recommendations in the form of information architecture and wireframes. At this stage, we also define the requirements for key functionalities such as video integration, social media features, search capabilities, mobile accessibility, and more.
These insights inform content strategies, design decisions, and technology selections moving forward.
A well-structured website makes content easily navigable. In this phase, we work closely with clients to refine their information architecture, ensuring users can quickly find the information or functionality they need.
Our goal is to minimize the number of clicks required to reach key pages, optimizing the user journey for efficiency and clarity.
Wireframes serve as the blueprint of a website, outlining key structural and functional elements before diving into design. Our approach to wireframing is iterative and focused—quick to build yet effective in capturing essential functionality.
We prioritize function over aesthetics at this stage to keep discussions centered on usability. This ensures that feedback is incorporated early in the process, avoiding costly revisions later on.
In this phase, we translate functional requirements into a technical framework, selecting the right technologies for development. Our decision-making takes future scalability into account, ensuring that the chosen solutions can evolve with the business’s needs over time.
The outcome of Phase 0 is a Functional Specification Document (FSD) or a Development Brief—a structured guide that developers or agencies can execute to build the website effectively.
To ensure clarity and precision, the FSD will include:
- Website goals & objectives
- Key features & functionalities
- Technical requirements (CMS, hosting, integrations)
- Information architecture & wireframes
- UI/UX principles & usability, accessibility considerations
- Benchmarks & references (industry best practices, competitor analysis, visual references)
These benchmarks and references provide a concrete foundation for agencies to align their execution with best practices and strategic goals.
Our role doesn’t end once the documentation is complete. STRATO remains involved in the implementation process to ensure seamless execution and alignment with strategic objectives. Specifically, we provide:
By partnering with STRATO, businesses gain clarity, efficiency, and a roadmap for digital success. Whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping an existing platform, we ensure that every step is guided by strategic insight and expertise.
Interested in Phase 0 for your website? Learn more about how this strategic approach can set the foundation for a high-performing website.
Contact our Senior Consultant, Valent Mustamin—a seasoned expert in web development strategy with 25 years of experience in the industry. Having worked extensively with WordPress, custom web solutions, and digital transformation, he brings deep technical and strategic insights to help businesses make the right decisions before development begins.
Reach out today and let’s start the conversation!
Reach out to discuss how STRATO can transform your vision into impactful strategies.