Designing a website is an essential part of running a business today. If you want your website to effectively attract customers and convey your brand message, it’s crucial to work closely with your website designer. I learned from experience that preparation is key. The more organized you are, the smoother the design process will be. In this post, I’ll share my essential checklist to help you prepare for your website designer and ensure you both understand the vision for the project.
Understanding Your Vision
Before diving into details, take a moment to define your overall vision for the website. What are your primary objectives? Some common goals might include:
Increasing brand awareness: Tell your story and show people how you can help them.
Generating leads: Finding your ideal and aligned client.
Selling products or services: Making it easy for your customers to get their hands on your products and services!
Make sure you share these with your designer!
Define Your Target Audience
Understanding your target audience is crucial for effective web design. Who are you trying to reach? Create a profile for your ideal visitor:
Demographics: Age ranges between 25-45, mixed gender, loves the outdoors.
Interests: Self improving, health conscious, sovereign business owner... you get the idea.
Pain points: Specific challenges your customers face that your products or services can solve.
This clarity helps you and your designer create a website tailored to their needs, making the website more engaging.
Gather Inspiration
Before your initial meeting with the designer, gather examples of websites you love. Think about what draws you to those designs. It could be the vibrant color scheme, simple layout, or effective use of images.
Use platforms like Pinterest to compile a mood board showcasing these elements. This visual guidance can significantly help in communicating your style preferences.
Outline Your Content
Content is key. Prepare an outline of all the content you want on your website. This could include:
Homepage messaging: Capture your unique selling proposition in a few sentences.
Product descriptions: Provide clear, engaging copy for each item.
Blog posts: Consider having one, as it's great for SEO and showing your expertise.
About Us information: Share your story and mission with potential customers.
FAQs: Anticipate common customer questions to enhance user experience.
Being prepared with content makes it easier for your designer to create an effective site layout.
Create a Sitemap
A sitemap visually represents your website’s structure, showing how pages connect. List all the essential pages for your site, such as:
Home
About
Services/Products
Blog
Contact
Sketching this out can be as simple, and also something you can work on with your designer.
Choose Your Branding Elements
If you have established branding elements, gather them in one place. This includes:
Logo files
Color palettes: Specify exact color codes, such as hex codes.
Fonts: Indicate any existing brand fonts.
Your existing images or graphics: High-resolution files are essential.
If you don’t have established branding, think about how you wish your company to be perceived visually. Offering relevant ideas or examples can guide your designer’s direction. When working with me specifically, I will always require a defined brand before designing your website - and it's something that I can help you create!
Decide on Functionality
Consider the functionalities you envision for your website. Think about aspects such as whether you need:
An e-commerce platform: Essential if you plan to sell online.
A booking system: Important for service-based businesses.
Other features to think about include:
Contact forms: Enable customer inquiries easily.
SEO optimization: Attracting organic traffic should be a priority.
Social media integrations: Connect with audiences across platforms.
Newsletter sign-up: Consider growing your email list.
Payment processing: Necessary for online sales.
Defining these elements will help your designer provide the options you need for your business to succeed online.
Establish Your Budget
Before kicking off the project, establish a clear budget. Be upfront about your spending limits. Discuss with your designer about various options that fit within your range.
Remember that your website is an investment, just as a brick and mortar storefront would be (except way less!). There will be a designer fee, paid to your designer (one time), then there will be a "Website hosting fee" which is typically an annual fee to keep your website online, and finally you will need to pay for your domain (www.mysite.com) on an annual basis.
Keep in mind that if you require other functionalities, like e-commerce, there are fees associated with the payment processors. Also know that if you are using email marketing, there will be fees associated with that as well. And lastly, any special apps will likely cost you as well. All of this can be discussed with your designer and they can help you out!
Prepare for Feedback
No project is perfect on the first try. Be prepared to give and receive feedback.
Prepare a list of what is most critical to you when reviewing drafts from your designer. Constructive feedback is essential for producing the best possible results. Stay open-minded to your designer’s suggestions, as they can offer valuable insights.
Set a Timeline
Establishing a timeline can keep both you and your designer on track. Consider asking:
What are the key milestones? Determine critical deadlines for content submission, design drafts, and final reviews.
How long do you expect each phase to take? This helps in anticipating necessary adjustments.
A clear timeline can prevent misunderstandings and ensure you remain on schedule for your launch date.
Create a Communication Plan
Effective communication is crucial for a successful design project. Decide on your preferred communication method, whether through email, messaging apps, or project management tools.
Set regular check-in times for updates on progress. This schedule keeps you both on the same page throughout the process.
Prepare to Be Involved
Remember, designing a website is a collaborative endeavor. Be ready to invest your time in discussions, reviewing drafts, and offering feedback.
Your active involvement not only smooths the process but also enhances the final website quality.
That's it!
Preparing for your website designer doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By following this checklist, you’ll set a solid foundation for collaboration and ensure your vision translates effectively into your website.
It's about being proactive and organized, which saves you time and stress in the long run. So grab your checklist and start preparing! The time you invest will pay off when you see your stunning new site come to life.
xoxo
Jenni
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