What Small Businesses Need to Prepare Before Starting a Website Project
Building a website is an exciting milestone for any small business, but to ensure a smooth development process, preparation is key. By gathering essential resources, information, and materials ahead of time, you’ll not only streamline communication with your web developer but also help bring your vision to life more efficiently. Here’s a comprehensive guide to what small businesses should prepare before starting a website project.
Define Your Goals and Purpose
Before anything else, you need a clear understanding of what your website should achieve. Ask yourself:
– What is the primary purpose of the website (e.g., selling products, showcasing a portfolio, generating leads)?
– Who is your target audience?
– What key actions do you want visitors to take (e.g., sign up for a newsletter, make a purchase, contact you)?
Having these answers will help your web developer design a site tailored to your business objectives.
Create a Sitemap or Outline
A sitemap is a basic outline of the pages your website will need. Typical small business websites include:
– Homepage
– About Us
– Products or Services
– Contact Us
– FAQs
– Blog
Think about what pages are essential for your business and provide a rough structure to guide the developer.
Branding Materials
Consistency in branding is crucial for building trust and recognition. Provide your developer with:
– Logo files (preferably in vector format like .AI or .SVG)
– Brand colors (include hex codes or Pantone details)
– Typography (font files or names of specific fonts you use. Google Fonts is a great source for font selections.)
– Taglines or slogans
If you don’t have these elements yet, consider working with one of our graphic designers or marketing specialists before starting your website project.
Content
Your website needs high-quality content to engage visitors and communicate your message effectively. Prepare:
– Text content for each page (e.g., company history, product descriptions, service details).
– Images and videos (ensure they’re high-resolution and relevant to your business).
– Blog posts or articles (if applicable).
If writing or sourcing content feels overwhelming, let your developer know so they can recommend you to a member of our copywriting or photography teams.
Functional Requirements
Think about the features and functionalities your website needs, such as:
– E-commerce capabilities (e.g., shopping carts, payment gateways).
– Contact forms or booking systems.
– Social media integration.
– Membership or login areas.
– Specific tools or APIs (e.g., Google Maps, calendar integrations).
Providing a detailed list of features will help your developer choose the right platforms and tools for your website.
Domain and Hosting
Your domain name and hosting are critical for launching your website. If you already have a domain, provide the details to your developer. If not, brainstorm domain names and check their availability. You’ll also need to decide on your hosting provider — your developer can recommend options based on your needs.
Competitor and Inspiration Websites
A picture is worth a thousand words. Share examples of websites you admire and explain what you like about them (e.g., layout, color scheme, functionality). This gives your developer a clearer sense of your design preferences and helps them create something aligned with your vision.
Legal and Compliance Requirements
Ensure your website complies with regulations such as:
– GDPR or CCPA for user data protection.
– ADA compliance for accessibility.
– Terms of Service and Privacy Policy pages.
If you’re unsure about legal requirements, consult a legal expert to avoid potential issues.
Access to Existing Accounts and Tools
If you already have tools or accounts that need integration, provide access details to your developer. Common examples include:
– Social media accounts.
– Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact).
– Analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics).
– Existing hosting or domain accounts.
Budget and Timeline
Clearly communicate your budget and desired timeline to your developer. This helps set realistic expectations and ensures the project stays on track. Be prepared to discuss priorities in case trade-offs are needed to stay within budget.
Contact Information and Team Involvement
Provide clear contact details for the main point of communication. If multiple team members will be involved, outline their roles and responsibilities to avoid confusion during the project.
Post-Launch Needs
Think about what you’ll need after the site goes live. For example:
– Ongoing maintenance or updates.
– Training on how to manage the site.
– SEO optimization and marketing strategies.
Discuss these needs upfront to ensure a smooth transition after launch.
Preparing for a website project may seem daunting, but it’s a crucial step to ensure a successful outcome. By gathering these materials and clearly communicating your goals, you’ll help your web developer build a site that reflects your brand and achieves your business objectives. At Huxley, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.