Launching a new website is an exciting milestone for any business, but success starts well before the first line of code is written. At Indianapolis Website Design, we believe that an organized and informed client makes the web design process smoother, faster, and more effective. That’s why we’ve put together this practical checklist to help you prepare for your website project.
Whether you’re building your first site or redesigning an existing one, taking the right steps before your project begins can significantly improve the outcome. Here’s everything you need to have ready before you kick off your new website.
1. Define Your Business Goals
Before we can design a website that meets your needs, it’s essential to understand what those needs are. Ask yourself: What do you want your website to accomplish?
- Increase leads or sales?
- Showcase a portfolio?
- Provide information and support?
- Strengthen brand credibility?
Having clearly defined goals gives direction to the design and development process, helping us tailor every element to support your objectives.
2. Know Your Audience
Your website should speak directly to your ideal customer. Think about your audience’s demographics, pain points, and behaviors.
Consider the following:
- What problems do they need to solve?
- How do they typically find businesses like yours?
- What devices do they use to browse the web?
Sharing this information with our team helps create a user experience that resonates with your target market.
3. Gather Branding Assets
Consistency in branding builds trust and recognition. Providing all branding assets up front allows our team to ensure your website accurately reflects your brand identity.
Be prepared to supply:
- High-resolution logo files (preferably in vector format)
- Brand color codes (HEX, RGB, or CMYK)
- Typography guidelines
- Any relevant imagery or iconography
If you need help refining or creating your brand elements, we’re happy to assist as part of the design process.
4. Create or Organize Your Content
Content is the backbone of your website. It communicates who you are, what you offer, and why visitors should choose your business. Even a basic site needs core content for pages like:
- Home
- About Us
- Services or Products
- Contact
If you already have content, review it for clarity, relevance, and accuracy. If you’re starting from scratch, consider hiring a copywriter or working with our team to develop high-quality, SEO-friendly content that converts.
5. Identify Your Competitors and Inspirations
Looking at your competitors’ websites can help you better understand your market’s digital landscape. Additionally, sharing examples of websites you admire (even from other industries) gives us a sense of your aesthetic preferences and desired functionality.
Provide:
- Links to competitors’ sites
- Notes on what you like or dislike
- Features you’d like to emulate or avoid
This insight helps us design a site that stands out while meeting your expectations.
6. Clarify Your Functional Requirements
Not all websites are created equal. Some require basic pages and contact forms, while others need more complex functionality like:
- Appointment booking systems
- E-commerce integration
- Membership portals
- Live chat or support tools
Listing out your required features early helps us plan the technical scope and avoid delays during development.
7. Decide Who Will Manage the Site After Launch
Will you or someone on your team handle website updates and content edits? Or would you prefer ongoing support from our team?
Knowing your preferred level of involvement after launch helps us choose the right content management system (CMS) and provide proper training or support plans as needed.
8. Prepare for Domain and Hosting Setup
If you already have a domain name and hosting provider, gather access credentials so we can set up or migrate your site efficiently. If you haven’t secured these yet, we can help you choose reliable solutions tailored to your site’s needs.
Be ready to provide:
- Domain registrar login (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap)
- Hosting account login or control panel details
- Any email service configurations tied to the domain
9. Set a Realistic Timeline and Budget
Having clear expectations for project timing and costs helps everything run smoothly. Consider factors like:
- Upcoming events or marketing campaigns
- Availability for feedback and approvals
- Level of customization required
We’ll collaborate with you to define a timeline that aligns with your schedule and a budget that delivers quality results without surprises.
10. Communicate with Your Team
If more than one person will be involved in the project, make sure your internal team is aligned on goals, branding, content, and decision-making authority. Designate a main point of contact to streamline communication with our team and avoid delays.
Ready to Get Started?
By checking off the items on this list, you’re setting your website project up for success from the very beginning. At Indianapolis Website Design, we’re here to guide you every step of the way—from planning to launch and beyond.
Have questions or ready to take the next step? Contact us today to get started with your website project.