Website Development & Launch Roadmap
Development schedule | 16 October 2026
Project objective
Launch a professional, subscription-based media website that publishes free and premium content, attracting readers through Google Search.
The website will operate on WordPress, with a subscription price of $3.99 per month, using PayPal as the initial payment provider.
The development will be divided into phases, prioritizing getting the website ready for visitors before introducing paid subscriptions and expanding viewership.
Phase 1 — Homepage and Website Presentation
(This weekend: 17–18 October)
Objective: Make the website attractive, functional, and ready to receive visitors.
- Clean up the homepage design and layout.
- Display free articles prominently on the front page.
- Create clear navigation between articles and website sections.
- Add visible subscription invitations and calls to action.
- Ensure the website is mobile-friendly.
- Check loading speeds, links, and general usability.
Milestone: A visitor should immediately understand what David Kearley Media offers, find interesting content, and see how to subscribe.
Phase 2 — Paid Subscription System
Week of 19 October 2026
Objective: Introduce recurring paid subscriptions.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Subscription price | $3.99 per month |
| Payment provider | PayPal |
| Billing | Monthly recurring |
| Free content | Available without subscribing |
| Premium content | Accessible to paying subscribers |
| Access activation | Immediately after confirmed payment |
| Payouts | Manually transfer funds from PayPal initially |
Implement user registration, login, account management, subscription status tracking, and premium content for those wanting to actively invest and grow their portfolios.
PayPal payments should be linked automatically to subscriber access, even though transfers from PayPal will initially be handled manually.
Milestone: A visitor can register, subscribe, pay $3.99, and immediately access premium content.
Phase 3 — SEO and Google Search Optimization
Target: 25 October 2026
Objective: Improve the website’s visibility on Google and attract organic traffic.
- Set up Google Search Console.
- Generate and submit an XML sitemap.
- Optimize article titles, descriptions, headings, and URLs.
- Improve mobile performance and loading speeds.
- Ensure free articles are indexable by Google.
- Implement appropriate SEO settings for premium content.
Milestone: The website is technically prepared for Google indexing and organic traffic growth.
Phase 4 — Subscriber Dashboard
Target: 25 October 2026, alongside subscriptions
Every paying subscriber should have access to a personal account dashboard.
The dashboard must provide:
- Subscription status and current plan.
- Payment details and billing history.
- Next billing date.
- Access to premium articles.
- Ability to cancel the subscription independently.
Cancellation rule: Subscribers who cancel retain access until the end of their paid billing period, with no further recurring charges.
Phase 5 — Analytics and Conversion Optimization
Target: 1 November 2026
Objective: Measure website performance and improve subscriber conversion.
- Set up Google Analytics 4.
- Track visitor numbers and traffic sources.
- Monitor free-to-paid subscription conversions.
- Track cancellations and failed payments.
- Identify popular articles and content.
- Improve the visitor journey from homepage to subscription.
Milestone: A functioning analytics system showing how readers discover the website and become subscribers.
Development timeline
| Deadline | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| 18 October | Homepage ready; PayPal compatibility verified |
| 25 October | Paid subscriptions, dashboard, and SEO operational |
| 1 November | Analytics and conversion tracking operational |
Important implementation requirements
Because the business operates from South Africa, I need to verify that the intended PayPal and WordPress integration supports recurring subscriptions for the specific South African PayPal account before implementing the payment system.
Manual withdrawals from PayPal are acceptable initially, but subscriber billing and access must operate automatically.
The website should remain accessible to non-paying visitors through free homepage content, while premium articles are restricted to active subscribers.
Overall objective: By 1 November 2026, David K Kearley Media should have a professional website, a functioning $3.99 monthly subscription business, Google Search optimization, and the analytics required to measure growth.
This reconstructs the agreed roadmap, including the subscriber dashboard and original milestones.
