How to prepare for a website project.
Starting a new website—whether it’s your first build or a redesign—can feel like a lot. There are heaps of moving parts, and if you’re not sure what to expect, it’s easy to miss important steps that could slow things down later.
As a freelance WordPress developer, I’ve worked with all kinds of clients across lots of industries, and one thing always stands out: projects go more smoothly (and get better results) when clients come prepared. Whether you’re hiring a designer, developer, or an all-in-one studio like mine, here’s how to get set up for success before we even start building.
1. Define your goals
Before anything else, think about what you want this website to do. Are you showcasing your work? Generating leads? Selling something? Clear goals help guide every decision from layout and features to content and SEO. You don’t need to know everything up front, but having direction gives us a great place to start.
2. Know your audience
Who are you building this site for? What are they hoping to find when they visit? Understanding your audience helps shape the design, structure, and messaging. A site for a local arts group will be totally different from one for a consultancy or online store.
3. Take stock of your content
If you already have a site, take a look at what content you’ve got. What’s working? What needs updating? Will you need new copy, photos, or videos? Great content is just as important as design, and having it ready early can keep things moving quickly.
4. Gather your visual assets
Pull together anything visual—logos, colours, fonts, photography, style guides. Don’t have them yet? No stress—I can help with art direction or point you to a designer. But the sooner we have this stuff, the smoother the design process will be.
5. Think about functionality
What do you need your site to do? Contact forms, bookings, online store, events calendar, member login? Even if you’re unsure what’s possible, jot down your ideas. It helps us figure out what needs to be built from scratch versus what can be done with a plugin.
6. Be clear on budget and timeline
Let me know what you’re working with in terms of budget and when you’re hoping to launch. That way I can tailor the approach to suit your goals and resources. Some features can always be added later, and I’ll give honest advice on what makes the biggest impact first.
Ready to start? Let’s talk
Doing a little prep work makes the whole process smoother—and helps you end up with a site that really works for your business. If you’re thinking about a new site, fill out my project brief. It’s the easiest way to get started and helps me understand exactly what you need.
