Lumikha's Web Development Process

At Lumikha, we craft digital platforms that drive specific client results as part of our brand launch services and ongoing lead generation. Our process emphasizes three types of web projects:

• Marketing Hub
• Content Distribution
• Landing Page

Types of Websites We Build

Marketing Hubs

A Marketing Hub is a central online location for a brand's marketing efforts. It combines various elements to attract, engage, and convert visitors into customers.

Key characteristics:

• Focused on lead generation and conversion
• Showcases products or services
• Integrates with CRM and marketing automation tools

Example: HubSpot

HubSpot's website exemplifies a Marketing Hub. It clearly presents its various products, offers multiple ways to engage (demo requests, free tools, email sign-ups), and provides a wealth of information to nurture leads through the sales funnel. The site seamlessly integrates with its own CRM and marketing tools, demonstrating the power of its platform.

Blogging Platforms

A blogging or content distribution platform prioritizes creating, organizing, and sharing valuable content. These platforms establish thought leadership, engage audiences, and indirectly support marketing goals through informative and entertaining content.

Key characteristics:

• Content-centric design
• Easy navigation between related topics
• Emphasis on readability and user experience
• Built-in sharing and subscription features

Example: Ahrefs Blog

The Ahrefs Blog is a supercharged example of a Content Distribution Platform. It offers a wealth of in-depth SEO and digital marketing articles organized into clear categories. The design prioritizes readability, with a clean layout and minimal distractions. Each article includes easy sharing options and related content suggestions, encouraging more profound engagement with the platform.

Landing Pages

Landing Pages are standalone web pages designed for specific marketing campaigns or offers. They focus on a single conversion goal, eliminating distractions to maximize the campaign's effectiveness.

Key characteristics:

• Single, clear call-to-action
• Minimal navigation
• Targeted messaging aligned with the referral source
• Often used for time-limited offers or campaigns

Example: Airbnb Experiences Landing Page

This Airbnb landing page for potential experience hosts is a prime example of an effective landing page. It has a clear value proposition, compelling visuals, and a single call-to-action ("Get started"). The page provides enough information to interest potential hosts, with a streamlined design that guides visitors toward the sign-up action.

The Right Tool for the Job

By understanding these distinctions, we can better appreciate how each digital platform serves different marketing objectives and requires a tailored design and development approach.

It All Starts with Research

The research phase typically lasts several days to a week and lays a solid foundation for the project. We may extend this phase for new businesses shaping their brand to ensure a cohesive and impactful digital presence.

By conducting thorough SEO and keyword research, analyzing industry trends, and decoding the competitive landscape, we construct the framework for a data-driven digital strategy.

This approach ensures that every subsequent decision in the web development process stems from insights and aligns with both the client's goals and their audience's needs. The research phase uncovers hidden opportunities, identifies potential pitfalls, and reveals the most effective pathways to reach and engage the target audience. Whether we're working with a startup finding its footing or an established brand looking to expand its digital footprint, we conduct this thorough research for every client.

Understand the Client's Brand Essence

• Explore core values, mission statements, and unique selling propositions
• Scrutinize existing brand assets and messaging
• Conduct keyword research to uncover opportunities for brand visibility

Map the Competitive Landscape

• Analyze competitors to identify key players in the digital space
• Dissect successful digital strategies within the industry
• Perform SEO competitive analysis to spot content gaps and ranking opportunities
• Unearth industry trends and best practices in web design

Write Detailed Audience Profiles

• Develop comprehensive buyer personas
• Track user behavior, preferences, and search intent
• Identify high-value keywords that resonate with the target audience

Determining Presentation Purpose and Platform

We collaborate with the client to learn about their digital marketing requirements. This discussion steers the entire development process and determines our platform.

Marketing Hubs

A Marketing Hub is the nexus for content, social marketing, and lead generation, designed to convert visitors into leads or customers.

Key Features

• Compelling calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout the site
• Strategic lead capture forms
• Seamless CRM system integration
• In-depth product/service pages
• Persuasive customer testimonials and case studies
• A blog section to support the main marketing message

Platform: Duda

For Marketing Hubs, we harness the power of Duda. Here's why:

• Functionality on par with Squarespace or Wix, but tailored for agencies
• Robust marketing-focused features and integrations
• Flexibility to create custom designs within a structured framework
• Excellent performance and SEO capabilities

Content Distribution Platforms

A Content Distribution Platform focuses on delivering valuable content to the audience. It addresses various stages of the marketing funnel through targeted content.

Key Features

• A prominent, easily navigable blog section
• Intuitive content categorization
• Prominent email newsletter sign-ups
• Integrated social sharing options
• Engaging author bios for thought leadership pieces
• Subtle CTAs, with a primary focus on content consumption

Platform: Ghost

For Content Distribution Platforms, we leverage Ghost. Here's why:

• Optimized for publishing and managing content
• Fast loading times and excellent SEO out-of-the-box
• User-friendly backend for easy content management
• A constant stream of fresh themes from developers like BrightThemes
• Built-in membership and subscription features

Landing Pages

Landing pages are focused, conversion-oriented web pages that support specific marketing campaigns or content initiatives.

We build these to accompany paid campaigns (PPC) and large content initiatives, where we develop long-form pieces like guides or reference documents.

Key Features

• Clear, compelling headline that matches the ad or link that led visitors to the page
• Concise, benefit-focused copy
• Strong, prominent call-to-action (CTA)
• Minimal navigation to keep visitors focused on the conversion goal
• Relevant images or videos that support the message
• Social proof elements (testimonials, trust badges, etc.)
• Lead capture form (if applicable)

Platform: Duda

For Landing Pages, we also utilize Duda. Here's why:

• Rapid development capabilities, perfect for time-sensitive campaigns
• Mobile responsiveness to ensure a seamless experience across devices
• Easy integration with marketing tools and analytics platforms
• Flexibility to create custom designs that match the campaign's look and feel

Preliminary SEO Steps

For every assignment, we jumpstart the site's search engine presence:

• Publish a placeholder page
• Submission to Google and Bing
• Add to our tracking and SEO platforms (plausible & SEMrush)

This activity initiates the site's digital life, ensuring it gains traction in search results.

Marketing Hubs (Duda)

5-20 pages, plus a blog section with 3-5 initial articles

Content Development

1-2 weeks, depending on the site's complexity and revision cycles

1. Write conversion-focused copy for standard pages (Home, About Us, Services, Pricing)
2. Create necessary legal pages to satisfy search engines and ensure compliance
3. Develop initial blog posts that support the overall marketing strategy

Site Design

1 week, including revisions

1. Design the overall site structure and navigation
2. Create page layouts that balance aesthetics with usability
3. Ensure the design aligns with the client's brand guidelines
4. Optimize the design for both desktop and mobile experiences

Development

1 week, including revisions

1. Implement the design
2. Build responsive behavior across all device types
3. Integrate necessary third-party tools and plugins
4. Optimize for speed and performance

Content Platforms (Ghost)

Home page, compliance pages, and 5-20 "starter" articles, depending on the content plan

Content Development

2-3 weeks, focusing on creating a solid content foundation

1. Develop a comprehensive content plan aligned with the client's marketing funnel
2. Create a series of cornerstone content pieces to establish the site's authority
3. Design content with social media promotion in mind, including static image posts and video summaries

Design Phase

1 week, including revisions

1. Design the overall site structure and navigation
2. Create page layouts that balance aesthetics with usability
3. Ensure the design aligns with the client's brand guidelines
4. Optimize the design for both desktop and mobile experiences

Development

1 week, including revisions

1. Implement the design with pixel-perfect accuracy
2. Ensure responsive behavior across all device types
3. Integrate necessary third-party tools and plugins
4. Optimize for speed and performance

Landing Pages (Duda)

Single-page designs, often with multiple variants for A/B testing

Content Development

1-2 days, focusing on creating a lean, conversion-optimized page

1. Develop concise, high-impact copy that aligns with the campaign message and target audience.
2. Create any necessary supporting content (e.g., bullet points of ebook content, webinar agenda)
3. Craft a compelling CTA that communicates the value proposition
4. Source or create relevant images or videos to support the message

Design Phase

1-2 days, including revisions

1. Craft a visually striking hero section that immediately communicates the offer
2. Structure the content to create a clear, logical flow towards the CTA
3. Incorporate design elements that build trust and credibility
4. Ensure the design is easily adaptable for A/B testing different elements

Development

1-2 days, including revisions

1. Ensure fast load times by optimizing images and minimizing scripts
2. Implement tracking codes for analytics and conversion tracking
3. Set up A/B testing variants if required
4. Perform cross-browser and cross-device testing

Launch and Maintenance (All Platforms)

After securing client approval, we:

1. Publish the site
2. Submit it to search engines
3. Handle hosting (unless otherwise arranged)
4. Manage updates, revisions, backups, SEO maintenance, and traffic tracking

For landing pages, we also:

1. Coordinate with the marketing team to align the launch with campaign schedules
2. Set up conversion tracking and integrate with marketing automation tools
3. Monitor performance closely in the initial days of the campaign
4. Make data-driven optimizations to improve conversion rates

By offering these three types of digital platforms—marketing Hubs, Content Distribution Platforms, and Landing Pages—we provide our clients with a comprehensive suite of web development services.

This allows us to support various marketing strategies and business objectives, from long-term brand building to short-term, targeted campaigns.