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How to Prepare for a Website Project: What You Need Before Getting Started

By Wayne Reed, Reedy’s Web Designs – Penzance, Cornwall

Thinking about a new website for your business? Whether you’re launching your first site or giving your online presence a much-needed refresh, preparation is key. As someone who’s worked with dozens of small businesses across the UK, I can say that a bit of groundwork up front makes the whole process faster, less stressful, and much more effective.

Here’s what you’ll need before we get started—and why each one matters.

1. Clear Goals and Purpose

Why it’s needed: Without a clear goal, your website can end up looking nice but not really doing much for your business. Defining what you want to achieve helps shape every decision, from layout to features to content.

  • Are you looking to attract new enquiries, sell products online, or simply provide information?
  • Who do you want to visit your site—local clients, a specific industry, or a wider audience?
  • Do you have any must-have features (like a booking form, online shop, blog, or member area)?

How it helps: When you know your goals, I can recommend the right tools, structure, and design to support them—so your website isn’t just a digital brochure, but a genuine asset to your business.

2. Branding Elements

Why it’s needed: Consistent branding builds trust and makes your business memorable. Even simple things like the right logo or colour scheme help people recognise and connect with you.

  • Your logo in high-resolution (PNG, SVG, or EPS preferred)
  • Brand colours and fonts (if you have them)
  • Any printed materials, existing style guides, or even business cards for reference

How it helps: Supplying these up front means your website will look polished and professional from the start, and you won’t need to settle for “close enough” later on.

3. Content and Images

Why it’s needed: Your words and images are what tell your story, explain your services, and persuade visitors to get in touch or buy. Quality content can set you apart from the competition.

  • Written content for main pages (Home, About, Services, Contact, etc.)
  • Good-quality images of your business, products, or team—avoid stock photos where possible
  • Testimonials or case studies from happy clients

How it helps: Having your content ready means we can design each page around your message, rather than trying to fit your words into a generic template. If you’re stuck, I’m happy to help with guidance or recommend a copywriter.

4. Examples and Inspiration

Why it’s needed: A few examples help me understand your taste and expectations. Every business owner has different ideas about what looks “right”—and that’s perfectly fine.

  • Links to websites you like, with notes on what you like (or don’t)
  • Competitors’ sites or examples from your industry
  • Any features, layouts, or styles you want to include or avoid

How it helps: This gives me a starting point for the design, saving time on revisions and making sure you’re happy with the direction from day one.

5. Technical Details

Why it’s needed: Practical details like domain names, logins, and hosting access are essential for a smooth build and launch. Delays here can hold up the whole project.

  • Your domain name and login details (if you already have one)
  • Access to your current website or hosting provider (for redesigns)
  • Preferred email and phone number for your website’s contact forms

How it helps: Providing these details early means I can set everything up efficiently and avoid last-minute scrambles or downtime when your new site goes live.

6. Budget and Timeline

Why it’s needed: Knowing your budget and any key deadlines helps me recommend the best solutions for your needs—without overpromising or missing important dates.

  • Your budget range for the project
  • Any fixed deadlines (such as a product launch or event)

How it helps: Being upfront about budget and timing ensures we’re on the same page and can avoid surprises or rushed decisions later on.

Why Preparation Makes All the Difference

A bit of planning at the start means your website project will run smoothly, stay on schedule, and deliver results that genuinely help your business. You’ll also feel more in control and confident throughout the process.

If you’re thinking about a new site, or just want to talk through your ideas, I’m always happy to have a no-pressure chat.

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