This is the work flow I would use in order to isolate each design obstacles and come up with the best solutions to make a quality website.

Work Flow:

Design Brief

Thumbnail sketches

Content research/information architecture

Wireframes

Site Map & Navigation flow charts

Writing for the Web(navigation, labels, heads & copy)

Prototypes using Photoshop

A working prototype/mockup using Photoshop, Fireworks or Dreamweaver

Addition of placeholder pages/images/dummy text

Replacement with actual content

Usability testing
Revisions/final testing

Finish site/client presentation