After many website projects, I can usually tell within the first week how smoothly a build will go. It has very little to do with budget or complexity. It comes down to how prepared everyone is before the design starts.
When the content, logins and decisions are ready, projects flow. When they’re not, timelines stretch and the excitement fades. Here’s what to gather before your website project begins.
1. Your goals
Before anything visual, be clear on what the website needs to achieve. More enquiries? Online bookings? Product sales? Fewer repetitive questions? Your goals shape every design decision, so write down your top two or three.
2. Your ideal client
Who do you most want to attract? Describe them: what they need, what they worry about and what makes them choose one business over another. A website that speaks to everyone usually connects with no one.
3. Logins and access
This is the one that holds up the most projects. Gather access to:
- Your domain name registrar, where your web address is registered.
- Your current website and hosting, if you have them.
- Your email provider, so nothing breaks when the website moves.
- Google Business Profile, Search Console and Analytics, if they exist.
- Any booking, payment or email marketing tools you use.
Don’t know where your domain is?
Search your inbox for “domain renewal” or “registration”. Many business owners find their domain was registered years ago by a previous designer or a family member. Sorting it out early saves a lot of stress at launch.
4. Your branding
Logo files (ideally in vector or high-resolution PNG), brand colours, fonts and any brand guidelines you have. If you don’t have a full brand yet, that’s okay. Share examples of what you love and what you don’t.
5. Photos and videos
Real photos of you, your team, your work and your space make a website feel trustworthy in a way stock images never can. If your photos are outdated or phone-quality, consider booking a photographer before the build so the design can be shaped around great imagery.
6. Your content
Content is the biggest cause of delays in almost every website project. Start gathering:
- A list of your services or products, with descriptions.
- Your story and what makes you different.
- Testimonials and reviews you’d like to feature.
- Answers to the questions clients ask you most.
- Any policies, terms or important information customers need.
It doesn’t need to be perfect. Rough notes are a great starting point, and a good designer will help you shape them.
7. Websites you love (and don’t)
Collect three to five websites you love and note exactly why: the layout, the feel, the way the menu works. Do the same for a couple you dislike. It’s one of the fastest ways to communicate taste.
8. Decisions, and who makes them
If more than one person needs to approve the website, decide early who has the final say. Feedback from five people with five opinions is one of the quickest ways to stall a project.
A website project is a partnership. The more prepared you are, the more of my time goes into design rather than chasing files.
How Femme Creative makes it easier
Every Femme Creative project includes a Blueprint, a guided checklist that walks you through your goals, content, branding and logins before we lock in your start date. That way, when your project begins, we can focus on creating something extraordinary.
Ready to start planning? Explore my web design services or send an enquiry.
