1. Define Your Goals & Purpose Clearly

✔️ Be specific about what you want to achieve with the website.
✔️ Outline your primary goals (e.g., lead generation, sales, brand awareness).
✔️ Share key performance indicators (KPIs), such as conversion rates or page views.

Example:
❌ “I need a professional website.”
✅ “I need a website to generate leads for my consulting business. It should include a booking form and case study section.”

 

2. Provide Inspiration & References

✔️ Share websites you like and explain why (design, layout, colors, functionality).
✔️ Include links to competitor websites or industry leaders.
✔️ Identify specific elements you like, such as animations, typography, or CTAs.

💡 Tip: Use Pinterest, Dribbble, or Behance to collect design inspirations.

3. Communicate Your Brand Identity

✔️ Provide a brand style guide (if available).
✔️ Specify your brand colors, fonts, logo variations, and tone of voice.
✔️ If you don’t have a brand guide, discuss the feeling you want (modern, minimal, bold, elegant).

Example:
❌ “I want a clean design.”
✅ “I want a modern and minimalistic feel with lots of white space, sans-serif fonts, and a calming blue palette.”

4. Define Your Target Audience

✔️ Describe your ideal customers (age, demographics, behavior).
✔️ Explain their pain points and needs.
✔️ Highlight how they interact with websites (desktop vs. mobile, long-form content vs. visuals).

Example:
“A busy entrepreneur who prefers a straight-to-the-point website with clear CTAs and fast loading speed.”

5. Provide a Sitemap or Page Structure

✔️ List all pages you need (Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact, etc.).
✔️ Outline what content goes on each page.
✔️ Indicate any special features (e.g., booking system, testimonials, lead magnets).

💡 Tip: Sketch a rough wireframe or use Figma/Miro to map out your ideal layout.

6. Supply Content & Visuals (or Request Help)

✔️ Provide text content or hire a copywriter.
✔️ Share high-quality images, brand photos, or stock image preferences.
✔️ Specify any videos, animations, or infographics you want.

Example:
❌ “I’ll add content later.”
✅ “Here’s a Google Doc with the homepage copy and a folder with high-quality images.”

 

7. Specify Functional Requirements

✔️ List essential integrations (e.g., CRM, email marketing, payment gateways).
✔️ Define interactive elements (e.g., pop-ups, sliders, forms).
✔️ Mention SEO & speed optimization needs.

Example:
✔️ “I need a blog section with categories and a search function.”
✔️ “I want the website to load in under 3 seconds and be mobile-friendly.”

8. Be Open to Expert Suggestions

✔️ Trust your designer’s expertise on UX, layout, and technical choices.
✔️ Ask for recommendations if you’re unsure about a feature.
✔️ Be willing to adjust your ideas if a better solution exists.

💡 Tip: Instead of saying, “I want this button red,” ask, “What color would make the CTA stand out best?”

9. Set Clear Communication & Feedback Expectations

✔️ Agree on communication tools (email, Slack, Trello, Notion).
✔️ Establish a timeline & milestones (wireframes, drafts, revisions).
✔️ Give constructive feedback with examples and reasons.

Example of Good Feedback:
❌ “I don’t like this.”
✅ “I’d prefer a bolder headline to grab attention. Maybe a larger font or different colour?”

10. Plan for Future Updates & Maintenance

✔️ Ask how to update content easily (CMS, tutorial videos).
✔️ Discuss ongoing maintenance & support options.
✔️ Ensure the website is scalable for future growth.

 

A strong collaboration between you and your website designer leads to a website that reflects your vision while being functional, user-friendly, and optimised for business success.