Before hiring a web designer, gather your goals, page content, photos, logo and brand files, and login information for your domain and any existing website. Having these ready is the single biggest thing you can do to keep your project on schedule, because most website delays come from waiting on content, not from the design itself.
Here's the checklist I share with every new client.
1. Your goals
Know what you want your website to do. Do you want more inquiries? Online sales? Fewer repetitive questions in your inbox? Your answer shapes everything from the page layout to where the buttons go.
It also helps to know:
- Who your ideal customers are
- What you want visitors to do first, like book a call, shop, or fill out a form
- Your ideal launch date, and whether it's tied to an event or season
2. A list of pages
Sketch out the pages you think you need. A typical small business site includes:
- Home
- About
- Services or Shop
- Portfolio or Gallery
- Contact
- FAQ
Don't worry about getting it perfect. Your designer will help refine it.
3. Your page content
This is the step that most often slows projects down. Your designer can shape and edit your words, but you know your business best.
A few tips:
- Write in short sections. Visitors skim. A few short paragraphs per section works better than long blocks of text.
- Focus on your customer. Explain what you do, who it's for, and how it helps them.
- Use one document per page, so nothing gets mixed up.
Once we're ready to get started on your website, I'll set up a custom, private Google Drive folder with separate subfolders for you to upload photos, page content, and brand files.
4. Photos
Good photos make a bigger difference than almost anything else on your site. Gather:
- Photos of you and your team, if you want a personal connection
- Product photos with plain or consistent backgrounds
- Photos of your work, space, or process
Send the highest-quality versions you have, and make sure you have permission to use them. Photos pulled from Google or social media often aren't licensed for your website.
5. Your logo and brand files
Send your logo in the best format you have, ideally a PNG with a transparent background or an SVG file. If you have a brand guide, colors, or fonts, include those too.
No logo yet? That's okay. Branding can be designed first, then carried into your website so everything matches.
6. Logins and access
Make a secure list of your:
- Domain registrar login, such as GoDaddy or Squarespace Domains
- Existing website login, if you have one
- Email marketing or booking tools you want connected
Never send passwords by email. Ask your designer how they prefer to receive access. Many platforms let you add a designer as a collaborator without sharing your password at all.
7. Websites you like
Collect links to a few websites you love, and a few you don't, including competitors. Note what stands out: the layout, colors, photos, or how easy they are to use. This gives your designer a clear picture of your taste before any design begins.
8. For online stores: your product details
If you're selling online, prepare a spreadsheet with each product's:
- Name and description
- Price
- Options, like sizes or colors
- Photos
- Weight, if you'll be charging shipping
Also have your shipping, return, and exchange policies ready.
9. Decide on changes before the build starts
This one's easy to overlook: try to finalize your products, services, and prices before the build begins. Changes are always possible, but big shifts in the middle of a project can push back your launch date and add cost.
Ready to get started? Fill out my website questionnaire. It walks you through many of these questions.
