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—I’ll create a detailed scope of work. This includes deliverables, timelines, and pricing.

Transparency is a core part of my process. I don’t do vague “we’ll figure it out later” proposals. The more input and direction you provide up front, the better the end result. When clients are engaged and specific with their feedback, the project flows more smoothly and efficiently.

Design Phase

This is where the real building starts. I begin by gathering any needed content—logos, brand colors, photography, copy—and then start designing live inside BigCommerce.

My process starts with the header and footer, since they appear site-wide and establish the core layout. From there, I move to the category page, then the product page, and finally the homepage. I’ve learned over the years that starting with the homepage can actually slow things down. By the time we get to it, we’ve already set the visual language and know what should be featured.

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, cuts down on duplicative revisions, and helps you give more accurate feedback.

Feedback & Revisions

Feedback is gathered after each section is completed. For fixed-price projects, I include two rounds of revisions per section (header/footer, category, product, homepage). For hourly or Power Block projects, revisions are unlimited—but of course, the more we revise, the more time (and cost) is involved.

While clients don’t need to micromanage the process, I do rely on timely communication. If I need content, decisions, or approvals to move forward, delays on your end will delay the project. It’s truly a collaborative effort.

Launch & Hand-Off

Before launch, I test the site across multiple devices and screen sizes. For fixed-price projects, I include a training session to help you manage your store post-launch. For hourly or Power Block clients, training can be added if needed.

Ongoing support options include:

• Subscribing to one of my BigCommerce support plans
• Attending my weekly Office Hours
• Scheduling a personalized 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?”
Custom themes usually take 2–3 months, but customizing a marketplace theme is often much faster. Power Blocks are the fastest option for focused, high-impact updates using an existing theme. Hourly projects tend to wrap up in 2–4 weeks.

“Do you offer theme updates?”
Yes, though I don’t recommend them for every single release. In most cases, it makes more sense to redesign your store every few years. Here’s more on that.

Final Thoughts

A smooth design process matters just as much as the design itself. Communication is key, and the best results come when clients are willing to be involved, responsive, and open throughout the process.

If you’re thinking about updating your BigCommerce site and want a designer who’ll walk you through it step by step, here’s how I can help.