Delays are unfortunately standard in this industry unless you manage the relationship well. In my experience, the biggest mistake is not having a dedicated point of contact who actually understands your business goals. I worked with a Sydney web design firm that used a shared project management tool, which kept everyone on the same page daily. My best tip is to avoid adding features mid-stream. Keep the first phase lean, get the site live, and then iterate later. That approach keeps things moving fast.
I have seen many stories about website projects taking much longer than expected. For people who have worked with website development services, what helped keep the project on schedule? Was it detailed planning, regular meetings, or clearly defined goals from the beginning? I am interested in learning which practices made the biggest difference and what mistakes should be avoided.