What to prepare before starting a new website

Start with the goal, not the pages

Before thinking about colours or layouts, decide what the website needs to achieve. More bookings, more quote requests, fewer phone calls asking the same questions, or a stronger impression on bigger clients. A clear goal shapes every decision that follows, from the order of the pages to the wording of each button.

Try to finish this sentence: a year from now, the website was worth it because it… Whatever you write is the brief.

Know your customers and how they find you

Think about who your best customers are, what they are looking for and what makes them choose you over a competitor. Note how they find you today: Google searches, referrals, Instagram or walking past. Check which questions you answer over and over on the phone. All of it becomes content that helps the website do the selling for you.

Gather your content early

Content is the most common cause of delays in website projects. Start collecting it before the project begins: your list of services and prices, staff names and bios, opening hours, frequently asked questions and any policies such as cancellations or deposits.

You do not need polished copy. Rough notes in your own words are perfect. We shape them into clear, concise writing that sounds like you.

Invest in real photography

Photos do more to build trust than almost anything else on a website. Real images of your team, space and work make a business feel genuine in a way stock photos never do. If you do not have recent professional photos, budgeting for a half-day shoot is one of the best investments you can make in a new site.

Collect a few examples

Find three to five websites you like, and a couple you do not. They do not have to be in your industry. Note what you like about each one, perhaps the calm layout, the way booking works or a particular feeling. These examples help us understand your taste much faster than descriptions alone.

Sort out the practical details

Make sure you have access to your domain name, current hosting, Google Business Profile and any booking or payment platforms you use. Tracking down old logins can take longer than expected, so it is worth doing early. If someone else built your current site, ask them for access before the project starts.

Decide who makes the decisions

Agree on who will give feedback and approve each stage. Projects move fastest when one or two people own the decisions and gather input from the rest of the team. Feedback from too many voices at once tends to pull a design in different directions.

Bring your questions

There is no such thing as too basic a question. A good website partner should explain what they are doing and why, in plain language. If anything is unclear, ask. A website works best when the business behind it understands it.