Website content checklist: what to prepare before your project starts

A new website project moves fastest when the business owner arrives with the right materials. Gathering them early saves weeks and usually leads to a better result. Use this checklist before you speak with a designer, and note anything you do not have so you can ask for help with it.

Your goals and audience

• What you want the website to achieve, such as phone calls, booking requests, or product sales.
• Who your ideal customers are and what they usually want to know.
• The three to five questions customers ask most often before they buy.

Branding materials

• Your logo files in their original formats, ideally vector files, not screenshots.
• Brand colours and fonts, if you have them. If not, tell your designer so they can help with your brand identity.
• Examples of websites you like, and ones you do not, with a note on why.

Written content

• A short description of your business and what makes you different.
• A page of text for each main service, covering what it is, who it is for, and how it works.
• Your story, team details, and credentials such as licences or certifications.
• Your contact details, service area, and hours, matching your Google listing.
• Answers to common questions, which can become an FAQ section.

Photos and video

• Original photos of your work, team, premises, and products. Real images build trust in a way stock photography cannot, which we explain in our post on original photos versus stock.
• Any videos you already have, such as project walkthroughs or short introductions.
• Permission to use images that include other people or clients.

Proof and credibility

• Genuine customer reviews or testimonials you have permission to publish.
• Examples of past work, with a sentence on the goal and the result of each.
• Logos of any associations or partners you are allowed to display.

Practical decisions

• Your domain name and who controls the account. See our guide to choosing a domain name.
• Where you want enquiries to go, including the email address that receives form messages.
• Any special features, such as online booking or a store.
• A realistic launch date and who will approve the work.

Do not worry if you cannot tick every box. A good web design partner can help with writing and direction, and our guide to website costs in Nova Scotia explains how that support affects the price. When you are ready, book a free consultation.