The strategy work we do before any code gets written
This is the first step of how we run a Magento project. Before design or development, we sit down and work out what the store is actually for, who it is for, and how we will know it is doing its job. The rest of the build runs against what we decide here, so it is worth getting right.
Working out the plan the build follows
A lot of stores get built straight off a feature list, and the trouble shows up later when nobody can say why a page works the way it does or what it is meant to achieve. Strategy is where we avoid that. We talk through your goals, your customers and your market, and we turn the conversation into a written plan the team can build against.
If you already have a spec, we will read it and push on the parts that look shaky. If you do not, this is where one gets made. Either way you come out of it knowing what the store needs to do and roughly how long the rest will take.
What the strategy phase covers
It usually runs one to three weeks, led by a senior strategist. These are the things we work through.
Workshops with the right people
We get project leads, marketers and a Magento architect in the same room so the plan is not just one person's first idea. We question assumptions and look for the gaps before they become expensive.
Looking for ideas worth having
We go through your own data and your market rather than just copying whatever a competitor is doing. The point is to find the openings that actually fit your business.
Leaning on what we have learned
We have been building Magento stores since 2009, so we have a fair idea of what holds up and what falls over under real traffic. We steer you toward the approach that scales.
Thinking past launch
A store with no audience is just a nice piece of work nobody sees. So the plan also covers how you will reach people, the content angle, and the SEO direction.
What you have at the end of Phase 1
You walk away with a written strategy brief covering your goals, audience, positioning and the metrics we will judge the project by. Alongside it you get a look at your direct competitors, a phase-by-phase roadmap with timelines and the main risks called out, and a short sheet of the targets we are aiming for.
It is yours to keep. Some clients use us for the strategy work and then build with their own team, and the brief is written so anyone can pick it up.
Common questions about this step
Do I need a finished spec before we start?
No. Producing the spec is part of the point. If you already have one we will go through it and flag anything that looks weak. If you do not, this is where we build it together.
How long does it take?
Usually one to three weeks. Tighter scope is quicker. A full replatform, or a B2B store with complicated pricing, takes the longer end of that.
Can you do the strategy and let us build it ourselves?
Yes. Plenty of clients use us for the early phases as standalone consulting and bring in their own developers for the build. The brief is documented for any team to work from.
What if our priorities change later?
We revisit the strategy at every phase gate. A big change goes through a written change order; a small one we fold into the current sprint.
Want to start with the strategy
Tell us a bit about the store you have in mind and we will set up a call. You will come away with a clearer picture of what to build and a sensible next step.