Skip to content
English
Submit a Ticket Sign in
CatapultCMS.com
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

CMS Redesign Timeline

From design selection to launch, we’ll guide you through every step of your website redesign—refreshing your design, preserving your content, and providing post-launch support to ensure a smooth transition and continued success.


Redesign Project - Multi-Site (2)

Below is a high-level overview of the redesign timeline and what to expect during each phase of your project. While timelines may vary slightly by district size and complexity, this outline reflects the typical flow for a website redesign.

Week 0: Mission Start (Pre-Production)

Weeks 1-3 Blueprint Phase (Initial Design)

Weeks 3-4: Design Sign-Off Phase (Design Approval)

Weeks 3-4: Build & Boost Phase (Training & Polish)

Weeks 5-6: Launch Pad (Template Application)

Week 6: Launch Phase

Week 7-10: Lift-Off Phase (Post-Launch Support)

 

Week 0: Mission Start Phase (Pre-Production)

mission start icon with start clipboardThe Mission Start Phase lays the groundwork for your redesign. During this phase, you’ll provide key information about your site, select your design preferences, and review available features such as School Manager, Staff Directory, and Announcement tools.

Once your design selection and required onboarding details are complete, your project officially moves into active production.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Project timelines begin after a design is selected. Design selection is the trigger that allows the team to move forward.

 

Weeks 1–3: Blueprint Phase (Initial Design)

blueprint phase with blueprint and various office suppliesThis is where your refreshed site begins to take shape. Using your selected design options, branding, images, colors, and logos, our team creates the initial visual direction for your redesigned website.

At the end of this phase, we’ll meet with you for a design review to walk through the design, gather feedback, and confirm alignment before moving forward.

NOTE: For districts with multiple sites, the initial design is created for the District (Primary) site first.

Weeks 3–4: Design Signoff Phase (Design Approval)

design and signoff phaseThe Design Signoff Phase is when your district formally approves the visual design direction for the redesigned site.

Following the design review meeting, your team will have time to review the proposed design, discuss feedback internally, and request any refinements. CatapultCMS works collaboratively with you during this phase to finalize the look and feel before proceeding.

 

Design approval includes:

  • Colors and styling across desktop, tablet, and mobile

  • Banner height, font selections, and navigation styling

  • Layout and structural decisions, such as navigation placement

Content updates include:

  • Text, images, and page-level content

  • Information you can edit and update in the CMS at any time

Once design approval is confirmed, CatapultCMS documents the approved styling and schedules the Navigation Meeting.

NOTE: For districts with multiple sites, setup of school (secondary) sites begins after the district design has been approved.

Weeks 4–5: Build & Boost Phase (Training & Polish)

build & boost phase

 

The Build & Boost Phase is a hands-on stage of the redesign process focused on training, navigation refinement, and preparing your site for launch. This phase ensures your team feels confident using the system and that key site elements are ready for the next step.

 

 

Training

CMS training provides your team with the tools and knowledge needed to manage your redesigned website effectively. In a live, recorded “train-the-trainer” session, designated district representatives will learn how to:

  • Edit and manage page content

  • Work with dashboards and announcements

  • Update School Manager and global content

  • Use core CMS tools and configurations

TIP: Training sessions are recorded, allowing team members to review the material later or share it internally.

Navigation Meeting

Navigation plays a critical role in helping visitors find information quickly and easily. During the Navigation Meeting, you’ll work one-on-one with a Content and Design Specialist to review, reorganize, and refine your site’s navigation structure. Together, we’ll ensure your navigation is clear, user-friendly, and aligned with your redesigned site.

NOTE: Reorganizing your content is the final step of the implementation process before you gain access to your sites, following the completion of the Launch Pad Phase.

Homepage & Client Polish

After training and navigation refinement, your team will begin polishing homepage content and visual elements using the CMS tools. This is where you apply what you’ve learned to finalize the homepage and ensure it reflects your district’s goals and branding.

Common focus areas include:

  • Banner images and cropping

  • Dashboard and homepage components

  • Navigation labels and structure

The Build & Boost Phase gives your team the time and support needed to learn, refine, and move forward with confidence.

Weeks 5–6: Launch Pad Phase (Template Application)

launch pad phaseThe Launch Pad Phase is all about getting your site ready for takeoff. With your design approved, training complete, and navigation finalized, this phase focuses on preparing your site for a smooth and successful launch.

During this phase, our team applies your approved design across your site, completes final system setup, and performs quality checks to ensure everything is aligned and ready to go live.

 

Preparing for Launch

To protect the work completed so far and ensure a seamless transition to launch, publishing is temporarily paused while final preparations are made. You’ll regain full publishing access once your site has launched.

Exceptions: Announcements, Alerts, and the Staff Directory can still be updated and published during this period.

What Happens During the Launch Pad Phase

  • Your new design, branding, homepage, and navigation are fully applied to your site(s)

  • Final configuration and system checks are completed

  • Any unused homepage content is preserved on an unpublished OLD Homepage page for future reference

  • Your site is positioned and ready for launch

This phase bridges preparation and launch, setting the stage for a confident, successful rollout of your redesigned website 🚀

Week 6: Launch Phase

launch phaseIt’s launch time! The Launch Phase is when your redesigned website officially goes live and is introduced to the world.

Launch Day is primarily a quality control and coordination day, focused on making sure everything transitions smoothly. Our team works closely with you to review final details, confirm readiness, and address any last-minute items.

 

 

What to expect during Launch:

  • Final quality control checks by the CatapultCMS team

  • Resolution or documentation of any remaining items

  • Your redesigned site goes live and becomes publicly accessible

This milestone marks the successful completion of your redesign—and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for your website!

Weeks 7–10: Lift-Off Phase (Post-Launch Support) 🚀

lift off phase a rocket roaring through spaceYour site is live—and now it’s time to soar! The Lift-Off Phase is all about supporting your team as you begin using, exploring, and fine-tuning your newly redesigned website.

During the first month post-launch, you’ll continue to have direct access to your implementation team for questions, guidance, and support. This collaborative period ensures your site gains momentum and performs exactly as expected.

NOTE: It’s completely normal to spot tweaks, ideas, or enhancements once your team starts interacting with the new design. We’re here to help you navigate this exciting phase and ensure your site continues to run smoothly as it takes flight 🚀