In an interview with
Website Planet, Rodney Warner shared the inspiring story behind the founding of Connective Web Design in 2010.
With a mission to go beyond conventional agency solutions, Rodney aimed to offer tailored strategies that genuinely drive business growth. Frustrated with the industry’s one-size-fits-all approach, he envisioned an agency that prioritized partnership, resourcefulness, and a deep understanding of client needs.
Over the years, Connective has grown from building small business websites to delivering a comprehensive suite of creative, marketing, and development solutions while staying true to its client-centered philosophy.
What inspired the founding of Connective Web Design, and how has the agency evolved since its inception?
Connective was founded in 2010 with a clear mission: to become true partners to our clients. Early in my career, I saw how many agencies delivered one-size-fits-all solutions, focusing on surface-level fixes rather than understanding what truly drives a business forward. I wanted to create an agency that goes deeper—helping clients grow by being resourceful and crafting unique solutions tailored to their needs.
This approach has been central to our evolution. We don’t just complete projects; we take a real interest in how our clients’ businesses work and function. By doing this, we’re able to provide marketing and design solutions that go beyond expectations, often bordering on business consulting. Whether it’s solving a complex design challenge or identifying gaps in a client’s industry, we aim to be the partner that delivers thoughtful, impactful growth strategies.
Over the years, we’ve expanded our services from small business websites to a full suite of creative, marketing, and development solutions. No matter how much we’ve grown, our focus remains on being adaptable and deeply invested in our client’s success.
Can you elaborate on your seven-phase web design process and how it ensures successful project outcomes?
At Connective, we’ve spent years refining our seven-phase web design process to ensure it delivers an exceptional experience and outstanding results for every client. This isn’t just a method—it’s a framework designed to simplify what can often feel like an overwhelming task. With our process, you’ll always know what’s happening and stay informed and in control throughout the journey.
Here’s what makes our process stand out:
It’s strategic and repeatable – We’ve fine-tuned this approach to deliver high-quality outcomes consistently while preventing common issues like miscommunication, delays, or scope creep.
It’s collaborative – Your input is key. Unlike agencies that disappear for weeks and return with a website that barely aligns with your vision, we work closely with you at every stage.
It’s flexible – While our process is methodical, it’s also adaptable, allowing room for creativity and customization to meet your unique needs.
Our Seven Phases
- Onboarding
We kick things off with a comprehensive discovery phase to understand your business, goals, and audience. This includes:
- A Discovery Questionnaire to gather initial insights.
- A kickoff meeting to set expectations, define goals, and align timelines.
- Asset collection, such as branding materials and content, to ensure everything is organized from the start.
By the end of this phase, you’ll feel confident in our direction and fully aligned on the roadmap ahead.
- Architecture
This phase is about laying a strong foundation. We finalize your sitemap and create wireframes for your site, starting with the homepage and progressing to key pages.
- Wireframes help you visualize your site’s layout without design distractions.
- We also prepare SEO elements, such as meta tags and keyword integration, to optimize your site from the ground up.
- Web Design
Here, your site begins to take shape visually. We translate strategy into creative designs that reflect your brand and appeal to your audience.
- Mood boards help establish color palettes, fonts, and other design elements.
- Designs are crafted for both desktop and mobile to ensure a seamless experience across devices.
- Your feedback is integral—we share drafts regularly to make sure we’re on the right track.
- Development
In this phase, we bring your design to life.
- We set up the domain, hosting, and WordPress environment, ensuring a solid technical foundation.
- Our developers create pixel-perfect templates based on approved designs.
- Content is added, and SEO data is implemented across all pages to optimize performance.
- Pre-Launch Testing
With the site fully developed, we move into rigorous testing.
- Functionality, speed, forms, redirects, SSL, and mobile responsiveness are all carefully reviewed.
- Our internal QA team and art director perform checks to ensure everything meets our high standards.
- You’ll also have the opportunity to review the site and provide feedback before launch.
- Launch & Training
Launching your site is an exciting milestone!
- We guide the transition with minimal disruption, submitting the site to search engines and ensuring everything goes live smoothly.
- You’ll receive training on how to manage your site, complete with a recorded session you can refer to later.
- Maintenance & Metrics
A great website isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it asset. We provide ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure long-term success.
- Regular backups and updates keep your site secure and functional.
- Metrics tracking helps you monitor performance and conversions, with our team available to assist with optimizations as needed.
How Our Process Solves Common Challenges
Web design projects often run into obstacles like unclear goals, poor communication, or unexpected delays. At Connective, our process is designed to eliminate these pitfalls through clear documentation, regular check-ins, and agile project management. You’ll never feel left in the dark, and every step is geared toward creating a website that not only meets but exceeds your expectations.
This isn’t a cookie-cutter approach. Every website we build is custom-tailored to your goals, providing you with a powerful tool to grow your business.
How does Connective integrate creative, marketing, and development services to provide comprehensive solutions for clients?
At Connective, we’re more than just a service provider—we’re a partner committed to helping businesses grow. When clients hire us for a project, we take the time to truly understand their goals, industry, and competitive landscape. This level of understanding means that even if we’re initially contracted for web design, we often uncover opportunities to help in other areas, like marketing or business strategy.
For example, during a web design project, we might identify gaps in a client’s industry that could be addressed with a targeted marketing campaign. Similarly, while managing marketing, we might discover ways to differentiate the client creatively through design or branding.
Because we offer a full range of services, we’re not confined to a narrow skill set. We don’t push clients toward specific solutions just because it’s what we specialize in. Instead, we focus on finding what will work best for their unique situation. This holistic approach—combining creativity, strategy, and technical expertise—ensures our clients get results that are both impactful and sustainable.
Could you share a success story where your data-driven approach significantly enhanced a client’s online presence?
One of our most impactful success stories involved an attorney-client who spent a significant amount on Google Ads but wasn’t seeing the returns they hoped for. The problem wasn’t just with the ads—it was with their lead management process. Leads were slipping through the cracks, and there was no system to nurture or convert them effectively.
We took a comprehensive approach:
Implemented a CRM: We set up a system to help them track and manage leads more efficiently.
Developed a Sales Process: This included automated email sequences and follow-ups to nurture leads at every stage.
Optimized Marketing Assets: We created landing pages and videos designed to engage and convert leads, all tied into the CRM.
Leveraged Google’s AI: By integrating the CRM with Google Ads, we enabled the AI to focus on optimizing for actual conversions—people who spent money—rather than just form submissions.
The result? A significant improvement in ROI and a sustainable process allowed the client to manage leads effectively and scale their business. This approach didn’t just solve their immediate issues; it provided long-term benefits by aligning their marketing and sales efforts. We’ve since applied this strategy across multiple industries, using data to pinpoint where clients lose potential customers and implementing solutions to keep them engaged.
What role do your core values play in guiding client relationships and project execution?
At Connective, our seven core values are more than just words—they’re the foundation of everything we do. These principles guide how we work, how we communicate, and how we deliver results for our clients. They shape every decision we make, ensuring we stay true to our mission of being a trusted, results-driven partner.
We don’t just talk about our values—we live them. Our team regularly reflects on how we embody these principles through self-evaluations, meetings, and performance reviews. Promotions and new hires are also directly tied to alignment with these values, ensuring that everyone on our team is committed to upholding them.
Here’s how each value comes to life in our work:
- Highly-Skilled Experts
Proficient, adaptive, and ahead of the curve—our team is constantly sharpening our skills and staying on top of industry trends. Whether it’s mastering the latest design tools, understanding complex SEO algorithms, or refining our processes, we aim to be the go-to experts our clients can count on.
- Client-Focused Service
Dedicated, mission-driven, and all-in—our client’s success is our mission. We approach every project with the mindset of being true partners, fully invested in helping their businesses grow. Every decision we make is centered around what’s best for the client.
- Detail-Oriented
Thorough, meticulous, and precise—at Connective, the little things matter. From pixel-perfect design to clear communication, we believe it’s the details that set great work apart from good work. This focus ensures our clients receive nothing less than excellence.
- Self-Motivated
Driven, proactive, and independent—our team doesn’t need a push to get things done. We take ownership of our work and pride ourselves on being proactive problem-solvers, always looking for ways to add value for our clients.
- Follow-Through
Dependable, accountable, and consistent—we say what we’ll do, and then we do it. Simple as that. Whether it’s meeting deadlines, delivering on promises, or exceeding expectations, our clients know they can rely on us.
- Data-Driven
Analytical, methodical, and evidence-based—we make decisions backed by data, not guesswork. This approach ensures our work delivers measurable results, from improving web traffic to increasing conversions.
- Kind
Positive, humble, and uplifting—kindness is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in fostering a respectful, supportive environment, both within our team and with our clients. No jerks allowed—just a group of people committed to helping each other succeed.
Our commitment to these core values isn’t just about creating great work—it’s about creating strong, long-lasting relationships with our clients and teammates. By staying true to these principles, we ensure that every project is executed with integrity, care, and purpose.
Find out more at:
www.connectivewebdesign.com
