5 things you need to have prepared before working with a website designer (or starting your own DIY site)
Wondering, “what do I actually need before I start to reach out to website designers” or maybe you are planning to do your own website, so you are wondering where you should actually begin?
Watch this for more details on prepping content ⤵
No worries, we’ve got you!! Before you jump into designing your own website or working with someone to build it for you, it's important to get all your ducks in a row! There’s a lot to think about even before you start to brainstorm what it is going to look like.
To make it easier, we’ve put together a checklist of the 5 key items that we think are necessary before you kickstart your project.
1. Your goals and objectives
Getting clear on your goals and objectives for both your business and your new website, such as increasing sales, generating leads or showcasing your work, is the first thing you want to hone in on.
Why this is helpful for designers?
This will help us designer’s understand what you’re looking to achieve and design a website that meets your needs and help you to be intentional with the project
2. Start to define your target audience
You don’t need to completely have a strategy around this but starting to think about your target audience, including their demographics, interests and how they interact with websites, is going to make sure your website is being created from a strategic place.
Why this is helpful for designers?
This will help us create a website that speaks to your audience and resonates with them. The right designer truly values the experience your users have when they interact with your site
3. Get clear on your branding
If you don’t already have your branding done start to think of how you’d like yourself or your business to be portrayed online. What are the values? Emotions towards your brand? Are there colours and fonts that best represent this?
Then think about about what phase in your business are you in? Are you just starting out? If so, maybe all you need at this stage is a decision on the colours, fonts and maybe a logo. If you are more established in your brand or business, maybe it is time to make a full investment in a brand strategist who will work very closely with you design and build a brand guide and brand kit.
Need more support in this?
We offer 1:1 Brand Strategy Sessions
👉 Check it out here (these sessions are actually included in our 1:1 custom design projects)
We also have a FREE brand clarity worksheet that is super helpful for those who are just starting out, or may be doing their own websites.
👉Download it here
4. You have your core services, products or offerings
It’s important to know what your core offerings are before building out your website, not just an idea of it. It seems obvious but we have had people come to us ready to build a website without an actual product ready to go or a solidified service to offer. Which is MOREE then okay but it is very hard to build a strategic, intentional business, let along a website with no offer. You must walk before you can run.
So if this is you and you have an idea but still aren’t fully clear on your what you’re packages are, what your services include or you don’t actually have your products yet, here are some questions to help you get started with this:
👉 What is your offering? Is it a service? Is it a product?
👉 Who is this best for?
👉 How will it be delivered? Ie. if it’s a product will it be shipped or picked up in store? If it’s a service, are you offering it online or is it in person?
👉 What is the cost of it?
👉 What is included?
👉 What makes it unique?
5. Start to gather all of your images and videos
Having a visual plan before you start your website is such an important step in the prep work. We belive your visuals are one of the most important elements on your website, so you want to make sure you have high quality content as well as ensuring your visuals clearly communicate the experience your clients / customers can expect from your brand or business.
Some questions to ask yourself:
👉 If you are working with a deadline, what content can you currently work with? Will it be stock imagery or do you have branded images that you can use for your website?
👉 Will you need a new video or photoshoot for your website?
👉 Does your content showcase what your ideal client / customer can expect from your offerings?
👉 Does your content highlight the type of experience people will have when working with you?
We want your website to create a virtual journey, guiding your potential clients/ customers to envision themselves benefiting from your offerings!
There is a lot to think about before diving into your website project, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming, you just need a plan!
We have a bunch of FREE resources to help you with this! 👇🏻
FREE MINI-COURSE
Access our FREE 4-day mini-course: prep for your website project
FREE WORKSHEET
Access our FREE brand clarity worksheet
Unlock the true essence of your brand with our Brand Clarity Questionnaire! Packed with 8 powerful exercises, this guide is designed to help you dive deep into your brand’s identity and vision.
FREE DOWNLOADABLE
Download our fillable pdf and take the stress away from planning your website project
No need to print - simply download the document and get instant access to start successfully planning for your new website!
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