Skip to main content
Article

What to prepare before your website project starts

A short preparation list that helps Lancaster businesses start a website project with clearer decisions and fewer delays.

By JoshuaAbout the author

Website projects move faster when the basics are ready before design starts. You do not need a polished brief, but a little preparation keeps things moving.

Clarify the outcome

Be ready to answer:

  • What should the website help people do?
  • Who is it mainly for?
  • Which services matter most?
  • Which locations do you serve?

If the goal is more enquiries, say so. Vague goals lead to vague websites.

Gather the source material

Useful starting points include:

  • logo files
  • photos of your work, premises or team
  • a service list in plain language
  • opening hours, coverage area and contact details
  • examples of websites you like and dislike
  • your domain name, if you already have one

You do not need finished copy on day one. Business projects include guidance on page structure and what each page should say.

Decide who will approve things

Delays often come from unclear ownership. Decide who will review the design and who can approve content, so decisions do not stall.

Think about after launch

These sites need proper hosting — they are not something most owners should run themselves. Most clients start Website Care at launch so I host the site and handle backups, updates and small content changes. Knowing that early keeps launch and handover simple.

A simple checklist before you enquire

  1. A one-sentence description of the business
  2. Your top three services
  3. Target locations
  4. Preferred contact method for customers
  5. A rough budget range from the packages page
  6. Any must-have features such as bookings or galleries

If you are still choosing between packages, read one-page or multi-page first. When you are ready, get in touch and I will come back with a clear next step.

Related reading

A straightforward first step

Let's talk about your project.

Tell me what you need and I'll come back with a useful next step. No agency pitch and no pressure.