WEBSITE PLANNING GUIDE
What does your business website actually need?
Before choosing colors or collecting features, decide what your website should help a customer understand and do. This checklist gives you a practical place to start.
1. One primary customer and one next step.
Write down who is most likely to hire you and what they need to know first. Then choose the main action: request an estimate, ask a question, book a consultation, or buy a product. Secondary actions can exist, but they should not compete for attention everywhere.
2. Pages that answer real buying questions.
A useful starting set is Home, Services, About, Work or FAQ, and Contact. Add separate service pages when the services have meaningfully different audiences or questions. A long list of nearly identical pages makes upkeep harder without necessarily helping visitors.
3. Facts you can stand behind.
Gather current services, coverage areas, contact details, and any relevant qualifications. Use real project photos and genuine reviews only when you have permission. If a design example is hypothetical, label it as a concept.
4. An inquiry form people can finish.
Ask for the information needed to start the conversation. Name, email, and a short project description may be enough at first. A long questionnaire can wait until a prospect is ready for it. Explain what happens after submission.
5. A realistic budget for the whole site.
Compare the design fee alongside hosting, domain renewal, paid software, and future updates. Ask what is included in revisions and what costs extra. A quote is easier to assess when the page count and functionality are written down.
Our website design pricing and scope →
6. A launch checklist.
- Review the important pages on a phone and a desktop.
- Test forms and confirm messages reach the intended recipient.
- Check page titles, headings, links, and contact details.
- Confirm the domain, HTTPS, and any existing email service.
- Review redirects for changed URLs on a redesign.
- Check search visibility and sitemap access when the site is ready to be public.
7. A plan for keeping it accurate.
Assign someone to update changes in services, hours, pricing, and contact information. A useful website stays aligned with the actual business. Add content when it answers a real customer question, and revisit it when the answer changes.
Ready to turn the checklist into a website?
We help small-business owners plan the pages, shape the message, and build a professional site. Start with your goals; the technical details can come next.
