Taking the time to provide all the information about your project leads to a more cost-effective quote and a better website.
Whether you’re looking to build a WordPress site or something custom, providing clear and complete information at the start will help ensure you get an accurate quote and a smooth process.
- Define Your Project Goals
- List Essential Features
- Share Your Content Plans
- Provide Branding Information
- Think About Design Preferences
- Decide on Functionality Requirements
- Determine Your Hosting and Domain Needs
- Set a Budget
- Provide a Timeline
- Explain Your Long-Term Plans
- Share Any Technical Details
- Prepare for Questions
Define Your Project Goals
Every website serves a purpose. Are you launching a blog, creating an online store, or building a portfolio? Specify what you want the website to achieve, such as:
- Generating leads for your business
- Selling products or services
- Sharing information or resources
- Showcasing your work
Explain your goals clearly so the developer understands what success looks like for your site.
List Essential Features
Write down what your website needs to function effectively. For example:
- E-commerce functionality (product pages, shopping carts, payment gateways)
- Contact forms or live chat
- Integration with social media or email marketing tools
- Blog or news sections
- Multi-language options
Providing this information upfront avoids surprises later and ensures the quote includes everything you need.
Share Your Content Plans
Content is king (or Queen), and knowing what you’ll need will affect the design and functionality of the site. Key details to share include:
- Page Structure: List out the pages you’ll need, such as Home, About, Services, Blog, and Contact.
- Content Status: Will you supply content like text, images, and videos, or will you need help creating it?
- Blog or News Section: If you plan to include one, mention how often you’ll post and what type of content it will feature.
Pro tip: Content should guide the design, not the other way around.
Provide Branding Information
If you already have a brand identity, share the following with your web developer:
- Logo: Provide the original file (ideally in .SVG or .PNG format).
- Colour Palette: A clear set of colours your site will use.
- Typography: Fonts or styles for headings and body text.
- Style Guide: Any guidelines you follow for imagery, tone, or messaging.
This information ensures the website matches your existing branding.
Think About Design Preferences
Developers aren’t mind readers, so sharing your ideas about design helps them deliver a result you’ll love. Share:
- Examples of websites you like, including what you like about them (e.g., layout, colours, functionality).
- Whether you prefer a clean, minimal look or something bold and dynamic.
- Any specific layouts or features you want (e.g., sliders, grids, or animations).
This step helps your developer design something that aligns with your vision.
Decide on Functionality Requirements
Outline what your site must be able to do. Common functionality includes:
- E-commerce: Product galleries, checkout processes, and inventory management.
- Interactive Features: Calendars, booking systems, or user accounts.
- Third-Party Integrations: Connecting to services like Google Analytics, MailChimp, or CRMs.
- Mobile Optimisation: Specify if you need your site fully responsive for all devices.
Determine Your Hosting and Domain Needs
You need both a domain name (e.g., www.yoursite.com) and hosting for your website. Let the developer know if you:
- Do you have a domain name or need help registering one?
- Have hosting already or need advice on finding a reliable provider?
For more complex needs, like high traffic or international audiences, share these details as well.
Set a Budget
Your website budget impacts the scope of your project. Developers work across a range of pricing tiers, so be upfront about your limits. This avoids time-wasting for both parties and ensures you get a solution that fits your financial plan.
Provide a Timeline
If you need your site launched by a specific date, let the developer know early. A rushed timeline might increase costs, but clear communication avoids delays or disappointments.
Explain Your Long-Term Plans
What happens after the site goes live? Share if you need:
- Ongoing maintenance
- Future feature expansions
- SEO services or content marketing help
- Training on how to update your site
A developer can provide tailored recommendations and build a solution that grows with your needs.
Share Any Technical Details
If your project is technical, include details about integrations or platforms you’re using. For example:
- CRMs, marketing tools, or email services you want connecting.
- Preferences for WordPress themes, custom code, or page builders.
- Accessibility requirements (e.g., WCAG compliance).
Prepare for Questions
Developers may ask for additional details, such as:
- Who your target audience is
- Any competitors or similar sites to benchmark against
- Specific SEO goals
Final Thoughts
Creating a website is a collaborative process. Supplying clear, detailed information upfront saves time, reduces stress, and ensures you have a website that meets your needs and expectations.
If you need help formulating your website brief, use our handy Website Briefing Form to get your brief together.
David Foreman
Dave is the MD at Toast and has been building bespoke WordPress sites for over 15 years. He currently gets involved in the scoping and planning of new sites together with content and SEO strategy to get sites ranking.
