How I Approach BigCommerce Website Design Projects (Start to Finish)

Hiring a BigCommerce website designer for your store can feel risky, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Every designer has their own approach, and not every process will be the right fit for every merchant. That’s okay. The important thing is to find someone whose process aligns with your needs, goals, and communication style.

Here’s how I approach BigCommerce design projects, based on working with hundreds of merchants over the years. If you’re thinking about a redesign, new store, or theme customization, this breakdown should give you a clear sense of what it’s like to work together.

Discovery & Initial Consultation

Every project starts with a conversation. I want to learn about your business, your goals, your pain points, and your customers. If you already have a site, I’ll evaluate what’s working, what’s not, and where we can make the biggest impact.

If you’re still evaluating platforms or unsure about what BigCommerce can offer, we can start with a platform consultation. Even if you don’t end up moving forward right away, this phase alone often brings clarity.

Scoping & Proposal

Once I understand what you need—whether it’s a full redesign, a homepage refresh, or customization of a premium theme—we’ll map out the work required to get there.

Most projects are structured using my Power Block approach. Instead of trying to define every detail upfront in a rigid proposal, we break the work into focused blocks of time, each with a clear goal and scope. This keeps projects flexible, reduces delays, and allows us to adapt as we go.

Transparency is still a core part of my process. You’ll know what we’re working on, what’s included, and how many blocks are likely needed based on your project. The more input and direction you provide up front, the more efficiently things move—but we’re not locked into a static scope that becomes outdated halfway through the project.

Design Phase

This is where the real work begins. I start by gathering any needed content—logos, brand colors, photography, copy—and then begin building directly in BigCommerce.

My process follows a structured order: header and footer first, then category pages, product pages, and finally the homepage. This approach ensures that the core layout and functionality are established before we focus on higher-level design decisions.

I don’t use wireframes. Instead, I work directly in your website (if it’s not yet launched) or a sandbox or staging store, so you can interact with the design as it evolves. This saves time, reduces back-and-forth, and leads to more accurate feedback.

Work is completed in defined blocks, with clear progress made in each session. This allows us to focus on high-impact updates without dragging projects out unnecessarily.

Feedback & Iteration

Feedback is built into the process as we go. After each major section or block of work, you’ll have the opportunity to review and provide input.

Because Power Blocks are time-based rather than revision-limited, we’re not counting rounds of revisions. Instead, we focus on making meaningful progress within each block. The more focused and timely your feedback is, the more we can accomplish efficiently.

Collaboration is key. If I need content, decisions, or approvals to move forward, delays on your end will impact progress. The best projects are the ones where communication is clear and consistent on both sides.

Launch & Next Steps

Before launch, I test the site across multiple devices and screen sizes to ensure everything is working as expected.

Depending on your needs, we can include training to help you manage your store post-launch, or focus entirely on getting the site live and optimized.

Ongoing support options include:

• Subscribing to my BigCommerce support plan
• Attending my weekly Office Hours
• Scheduling a personalized BigCommerce training or consulting session

Common Questions About My Process

“What if I don’t know what I want yet?”
That’s okay! I’ll walk you through the options, provide inspiration, and even show examples of other client stores—whether it’s similar themes or similar industries.

“How long does a typical project take?”
Timelines vary depending on scope. Larger builds may take a few months, while smaller updates can be completed in just a few Power Blocks. This approach allows you to prioritize what matters most and move forward without waiting on a full, all-or-nothing project.

“Do you offer theme updates?”
Yes, though I don’t recommend updating for every release. In many cases, it makes more sense to revisit your design more strategically over time rather than continuously patching an older build. Find out how often you should update your theme, or get a quote for my BigCommerce theme update services.

Final Thoughts

A smooth design process matters just as much as the design itself. The goal isn’t just to “finish a website,” but to build something that works for your business and can evolve with it.

If you’re thinking about updating your BigCommerce site and want a more flexible, collaborative approach to getting it done, check out my BigCommerce design services.