The founder's checklist before starting a website project

The difference between a smooth project and a painful one is rarely the developer's code. It's the clarity the project starts with. Here's what to prepare before you brief anyone — including us.

Know the one job of the website

“Look professional” is a wish, not a goal. “Generate qualified enquiries from local service businesses” is a goal — it shapes every page, headline, and button. Write your one job down in a single sentence.

Collect what exists

• Logo files and any brand colours or fonts you already use
• Photos of your team, work, or premises — real ones beat stock
• The five questions customers ask you most often
• Examples of two or three websites you like, and why
• Access details for your domain name

Decide who can say yes

Projects stall when feedback comes from five people with five opinions. Choose one decision-maker. Everyone else advises.

Budget for the goal, not the artefact

A website that brings two extra clients a month pays for itself quickly; a cheap one that brings none is the most expensive option available. Decide what a new customer is worth to you — it makes every pricing conversation clearer.

Plan the first month after launch

Launch is the start, not the finish. Who answers enquiries? Where do they go? What gets measured? A simple answer to those three questions doubles the value of any build. Bring this checklist to a free consultation and the first meeting becomes a working session rather than a sales call.