So, you are ready to get your new website underway and not sure what is required?

To help us create a website that truly reflects your business, your brand and connects with your ideal clients, there are a few essentials you will need to gather before we can get started with the project.

Think of these as the building blocks that will give your website the best chance of standing out and working hard for your business.

In this article, we will cover what you’ll need to get started with your web design project and why each element matters.

1. Domain Name and Hosting

Your domain name and hosting are essential for any website build and you can’t have your website without both of these.

If you already have a domain name and hosting provider, let us know. If not, we can help you get started with recommendations or assist with setting them up.

Not sure what they are? Here’s a quick breakdown: 

• Domain Name: Your domain name is essentially your website’s address on the internet (like www.yourbusiness.com) and it is what people type into their browser to find your site, and ideally, it should be memorable and reflective of your brand.
• Hosting: Hosting is the service that stores your website’s files and makes them accessible online. Think of it like renting space on the internet so that people can view your site. Reliable hosting is crucial for fast loading times and ensuring your site is always available to visitors. 

Why it Matters: Your domain and hosting are the technical foundation of your website, and a strong domain name reinforces your brand, while reliable hosting ensures a smooth, accessible experience for users.

2. Logo and Branding

To set a strong foundation for your website, we’ll need not only your logo but also any branding guidelines you have. Branding is much more than just a logo, it’s the overall visual identity that makes your business recognisable and memorable.

Here are some branding elements we recommend gathering:

• Logo: Your logo serves as the primary symbol of your business. A high-quality file (such as .png or .jpg) will ensure we can display it with crisp, professional clarity across your website.
• Brand Colours: Colours play a huge role in conveying the mood and personality of your brand. If you already have brand colours, please share the specific colour codes. These colours will be used throughout the site to create a cohesive look and feel that aligns with your brand identity.
• Fonts: Fonts contribute significantly to the tone of your website. Are you using bold, modern fonts that convey strength, or do you have softer, more elegant fonts for a refined feel? Providing us with your brand fonts, or even font styles you prefer, will help keep the site consistent with your overall branding.
• Visual Style or Mood: Beyond colours and fonts, think about the overall mood or style you want your brand to communicate. Do you want a vibrant and energetic look, or is your brand more classic and minimal? Describing the look and feel you’re aiming for will help us capture the right visual tone.

Why it Matters: Consistent branding across your website reinforces your identity and makes it more likely that visitors will remember your business. A cohesive look and feel not only enhances the professional appearance of your site but also helps build trust, setting you apart from competitors and aligning with your customers’ expectations.

3. Design Inspiration

One of the best ways to bring your vision to life is by providing examples of websites you admire. Share a few links to sites that appeal to you and let us know what you like about each one, whether it’s the colour scheme, layout, tone, or specific design elements. It’s also helpful to consider the tone and style you want for your website, such as whether it should feel formal, approachable, playful, or innovative.

Why it Matters: Having examples of styles you like (and even styles you dislike!) will help us understand your vision from the get-go. We’ll be able to create a design that feels right for your brand, engages your audience, and reflects the look and feel you’re aiming for.

4. High-Quality Professional Photos

Professional, high-quality images are essential for creating an eye-catching, trustworthy website. Whilst we do offer stock photos, ideally, you’ll want to gather photos that showcase your products, services, team members and physical locations (if applicable). If you don’t have these images yet, we can help guide you on sourcing them or connect you with professional photographers.

Why it Matters: Authentic images make a huge impact on visitors, setting your brand apart and making the website feel more personal and relatable. Real photos also communicate credibility, helping visitors feel more connected to your business.

5. Target Audience and Key Goals

Having a clear picture of your target audience is vital. Think of this as your “customer avatar” and consider factors like their demographics, wants and needs.

What problems do you solve for them? And what makes you stand out as the solution? It’s also helpful to think about what you want the website to achieve, such as driving leads, building brand awareness, or providing key information.

Why it Matters: Understanding who your site is for and what you want it to accomplish will guide the design and functionality of the site. This way, we can create a site that doesn’t just look good but also achieves your business objectives and resonates with the right audience.

6. Reviews and Testimonials

Social proof, showing potential clients that others trust and value your services goes a long way in building credibility and encouraging new customers to reach out.

The most effective way to gather reviews is through a Google Business Profile which not only do Google reviews appear prominently in search results, but they also contribute to your SEO, helping you rank higher and reach a wider audience. If you don’t have a Google Business Profile yet, we can help you set one up so you can start collecting and showcasing client feedback.

However, if you’re just starting out or don’t have many Google reviews yet, gathering testimonials from other platforms or directly from past clients can still be valuable. Reviews collected through email, social media, or even client feedback forms can be displayed on your website. 

Why it Matters: Reviews and testimonials create a sense of trust, showing potential clients that others have had a positive experience with your business. When visitors see honest feedback from real clients, they’re far more likely to feel confident in choosing your services. Whether you’re collecting reviews on Google or gathering testimonials to display on your site, this social proof plays a critical role in converting visitors into customers.

7. Captivating Content

Content is the backbone of any successful website, it’s what ultimately engages visitors, communicates your value, and drives them to take action.

For your website to resonate, the content needs to be clear, concise, and engaging while being written with your audience in mind.

Avoid industry jargon or overly technical language that may confuse visitors; instead, focus on explaining your services and value in a way that’s accessible and relatable.

Creating high-quality content can take time, and as a busy business owner, we understand that it’s not always easy to find the time to sit down and craft it yourself. In fact, content is often the main reason a project is delayed, as it can be challenging to balance writing with all the other demands of running a business. That’s why we offer content writing services, crafted specifically to be SEO optimised and audience focused. We can work with you to capture the unique voice of your business and create compelling, effective content that attracts search engines and keeps your audience engaged.

Here are some key content points to consider for your website:

• What you do: Describe your products or services in straightforward, easy-to-understand language.
• Problems you solve: Highlight common challenges your clients face and how your services address these issues.
• Your process: Offer a quick overview of what clients can expect when they work with you, helping to demystify your process.
• What makes you stand out: Emphasise any unique factors, like specialised expertise or an approach that sets you apart.
• Key benefits: Outline the top reasons clients choose you, making your value clear.
• FAQs: Include answers to common questions, so visitors can find the information they need quickly.

Why it Matters: Well-structured, client-focused content is essential for guiding visitors through your site and making them feel confident about choosing you. The right content will differentiate you from competitors, showcase your expertise, and make it easy for visitors to understand how you can help. Whether you choose to provide your own content or work with us to develop it, our goal is to ensure that every word on your site serves your business objectives and appeals to the people you want to reach.

8. Social Media and Contact Information

Share links to any social media profiles you’d like featured on your site, along with your primary contact details—phone number, email, physical address (if applicable), and any other preferred contact methods.

Why it Matters: Social media links provide additional ways for visitors to engage with your brand, while easy-to-find contact information builds trust and encourages potential clients to get in touch.

Getting Started with Confidence

Gathering these essentials will set the stage for a smooth and successful website build.

Not only will it help us create a site that looks fantastic, but it also ensures we’re building a website that’s strategically aligned with your goals and brand.