Begin with page and content requirements
WordPress is an open-source publishing platform with themes and plugins for extending a site, as described by WordPress.org. The platform choice does not define your project scope.
List the page types, forms, integrations, editing needs, and content responsibilities. Ask which items are included and which require a separate phase.
Review the template approach
Identify the layouts that repeat, such as services, locations, products, and articles. Ask how shared changes will reach those pages and which fields editors will fill.
Request an example of the editing experience. A useful handoff lets staff update content without accidentally changing shared navigation or layout settings.
Check functional acceptance criteria
Write down the important actions: submit an inquiry, complete a purchase, use a mobile menu, search content, or access a member area.
Agree on how those actions will be tested. Include notifications and connected systems, since a successful on-screen confirmation does not prove the receiving team got the information.
Understand ongoing responsibilities
Separate hosting, domain registration, licenses, backups, updates, and content changes. Identify who receives alerts and who responds if a form or plugin stops working.
Confirm website, content, and data ownership and the arrangements for third-party services. Avoid assuming every recurring service has the same ownership or transfer terms.
Plan launch and handoff
Include URL mapping, redirect checks, analytics checks, and a rollback decision in the launch plan. Agree on who approves the final release.
Ask for documentation of access, editing procedures, and ongoing maintenance. A launch is easier to support when those responsibilities are established before the site goes live.