Why Content Should Come First in Website Projects
Building a website is often seen as a design and development-first process, where wireframes and visuals take center stage. But too often, content becomes an afterthought, leading to delays, endless revisions, and websites that look great but don’t communicate effectively.
A content-first approach flips this on its head. Instead of squeezing content into a pre-designed layout, you start with messaging and structure first—ensuring the website is built around the actual content that will drive engagement and conversions.
The Problem with the Traditional Web Design Process
Most website projects follow this cycle:
- Wireframing & Design – The agency or client signs off on a wireframe before content is even considered.
- Content Request – The client is asked to provide copy that fits the design, often struggling to do so.
- Delays & Revisions – Copy doesn’t fit the design, leading to back-and-forth edits and timeline extensions.
- Final Development & Launch – A site is finally built but may not be as effective as it could be because content was forced into an existing structure.
This approach leads to frustration, missed deadlines, and websites that don’t serve their intended purpose as effectively as they could.
The Content-First Solution: Integrating a Copywriter & Relume into the Process
A content-first approach solves these problems by ensuring that content drives the structure and design of the website from the beginning. At Skyr, we integrate a copywriter directly into our website project team and leverage Relume to streamline wireframing and design based on real content.
Here’s how we do it:
1. Content Strategy Before Wireframes
Before any design work starts, we collaborate with the client and our copywriter to define:
- Core messaging & brand voice
- Site structure & navigation
- Key content priorities for each page
This ensures we have a clear content framework that aligns with the business goals and user needs.
2. Collaborative Wireframing with Relume
Using Relume, we rapidly create wireframes based on the content plan. Relume’s library of pre-built components makes it easy to design conversion-focused layouts that align with the messaging. The key benefits:
- Faster iterations – We can adapt wireframes quickly as content is refined.
- Clearer client approvals – Clients see a structured layout with real content instead of lorem ipsum.
- Better development handoff – Developers work with a content-ready framework, reducing guesswork.
3. Real Content, Not Placeholder Text
Instead of designing with dummy text and filling it in later, we integrate approved content directly into the design process. This eliminates the disconnect between design and messaging, making the site more cohesive and effective.
4. Streamlined Development & SEO Optimization
Since content is finalized early, development is smoother. SEO considerations, such as structured headings, internal linking, and optimized copy, are baked into the process—not rushed at the end.
The Results: Faster Timelines, Better Conversions, Less Stress
By shifting to a content-first approach, our agency partners and their clients see: ✅ Faster project completion – Less back-and-forth, more efficient workflows.
✅ Higher-quality websites – Messaging and design work together seamlessly.
✅ Better SEO & conversions – Content is planned strategically, not forced in at the last minute.
✅ Happier clients – No more struggling to fit content into pre-designed layouts.
Final Thoughts: Why Your Agency Should Adopt a Content-First Approach
If your agency has struggled with content delays, endless revisions, or websites that don’t perform as well as expected, it’s time to rethink the process. A content-first approach with integrated copywriting and Relume wireframing creates a smoother, more strategic workflow—leading to better results for both you and your clients.
🚀 Ready to streamline your website projects? Let’s chat about how Skyr can help your agency deliver better sites, faster.