How to Prepare For Your Website Design Project: The Client Guide
Getting ready to start a new website design project? Whether you're creating your first site or redesigning an existing one, proper preparation can mean the difference between a smooth, enjoyable process and a stressful experience filled with delays. Trust me when I say, your designer will love you for having read this guide!
Here's your comprehensive guide to getting started on the right foot.
Before You Begin: Essential Groundwork
1. Define Your Website's Core Purpose
Your website needs to have a clear purpose beyond just “I need a website”. When you start working with a designer, having all this information ready to go will not only speed up the process, but make the end result something you’re truly aligned with.
Take time to clearly articulate:
What specific problems your website needs to solve
Who your target audience is and what they need
What actions you want visitors to take
How you'll measure the website's success
2. Gather Your Brand Assets
It will be nearly impossible to create a website that’s unique and personalized to you without having the brand assets ready to go. If you’re a new business, you might want to work with a brand identity designer to get your brand perfect. If you already have a steady brand, make sure all these assets are in one location that you can share with your web designer.
Create a folder containing:
Your logo in various formats (PNG, SVG, PDF)
Brand color codes (HEX, RGB, CMYK)
Brand fonts and typography guidelines
Existing marketing materials
High-quality images and videos you want to use
3. Analyze Your Current Website
If you already have a website that you want a designer to revamp for you, it’s a great idea to go over your current site and think about what you want to change. This will not only help your designer ensure they’re meeting your needs, but also they’ll have a clear understanding of what’s working well for you and what isn’t.
If you have an existing site:
Note what's working and what isn't
Review your analytics for user behavior insights
List features you want to keep, change, or add
Identify your most valuable content
Planning Your Content Strategy
1. Map Your Site Structure
Outline your main navigation categories
List all pages you'll need
Plan your customer journey paths - have a rough idea of how you want your ideal customer to navigate through your website. This does not have to be fancy, but having an idea of what you want your ideal customer / client to go while on your website will help your designer.
2. Prepare Your Content
Write your core messaging and key pages - this is optional, most designers are willing to help you with copy throughout your site. You can also work with a copywriter prior to working with a website designer to make sure your copy is top notch!
Gather testimonials and case studies
Plan your blog strategy (if applicable) - this will be helpful for when your website is finished, you can hit the ground running with blog content to increase your rank on Google!
3. Consider Functionality Needs
Your designer will likely ask you if there are any particular features or functionality needs you have. Take some time to figure out what your business website will need to create a seamless customer / client experience.
Examples of functionality needs:
Contact forms
E-commerce features
Booking systems
Newsletter integration
Social media feed integration
Custom extensions
Setting Clear Project Parameters
1. Establish Your Timeline
Once you start your project with your designer, there will be a clear timeline they establish with you, but there are some things you want to keep in mind. Understanding your ideal launch date will help you pick the right designer that’s able to complete the project in time as well as who has availability.
Define your ideal launch date
Allow buffer time for reviews and revisions
2. Define Your Budget
Your budget might be one of the most important things. It’s extremely helpful to be prepared upfront and ready to take on the investment. Most designers have payment plans available.
Determine your total investment range - plan to allocate between $4,000 - $10,000 depending on the complexity of your website.
Consider ongoing maintenance costs - website and domain renewals, integrations, added feature costs, etc.
Plan for additional costs or phases
Include buffer for unexpected needs
3. Identify Key Stakeholders
If you’re a small business, it’s probably just you, which is great! If you’re a bigger business, it’s important early on to determine who will be part of the decision process so you can clearly outline that to the designer.
List who needs to provide input
Establish approval processes - who will need to have access to approvals, if someone else will be approving versus the contact person
Define roles and responsibilities
Plan review schedules
Creating Your Design Brief
1. Visual Inspiration
Collect website examples you like
Note specific features that appeal to you
Create a mood board
List preferred and disliked design elements
Communication Planning
1. Set Realistic Expectations
Understand the design process - your designer will have a detailed process for you, but be prepared for revision sessions, and anywhere between 2-6 week total project time.
Plan for multiple revisions
Know your role in the project - your designer is the expert, they are happy and willing to take your ideas and feedback, but there are times where the designer will need to advise based on best practices.
The Bottom Line
Remember, thorough preparation leads to better outcomes. Your designer will be there every step of the way and help you with any of this if you’re stuck. If you’re a go-getter and want to be the most prepared, take the time to:
Document all your requirements
Gather necessary materials
Plan for active participation
Your website design team will appreciate your preparation, and you'll enjoy a more efficient, focused process that leads to better results.
Ready to start your own project after reading this guide? Let’s chat about your website goals!
