What do I need to know before I book a website?

Ordering a website often starts with the desire to simply have a new website. The old one is already tired. Competitors look better. Services need to be presented more clearly. That's all understandable, but the more preparation you do before the first conversation, the more precise both the proposal and the end result become.

The first question is not the price

Price matters, but it should not be the first and only issue. At the outset, it is worth understanding what the site will have to do. Does it have to receive enquiries. Does it explain a complex service. Does it look credible to partners. Is it to help a person make a quick choice and get in touch.

If the goal is still vague, it's worth starting with clarifying the site's objectives. Only then does website planning become more realistic, not just a guess as to how many pages will be needed.

It's easier to decide when the goal is clear, whether a new website is needed from scratch or whether updating the existing one is enough. Sometimes the problem is not the technology, but the text, the structure or the outdated image.

Prepare at least a minimum view of the content

You don't have to come with a finished document and perfectly written texts. But it's worth having at least a rough idea of what services will be presented, what questions customers have and what's most important on the first screen.

If the texts are not yet ready, this article is very helpful How to prepare texts for a website. Website content is not just filler. It often determines whether a person stays on the page.

• main services or products
• short description of activities
• Frequently asked customer questions
• photos, logo, colours, if already available
• examples of websites you like or dislike

Decide who will make the decisions

Sometimes a project stalls not because of technical work, but because it is not clear who approves the texts, design or structure. One person says one thing, then another later says another. And the shifts start. It's not a tragedy, but time passes.

It is worth agreeing who will be the main contact before booking. Who will provide the content. Who will review the design. Who will say the final yes. A simple thing, but it makes the whole process of building a website much easier.

Ask about SEO and maintenance in advance

The new website should have a sound technical basis. Clear headers, speed, mobile-friendly design, meta descriptions, photo captions and a logical page structure. This doesn't mean that just by launching a website, it will immediately be first on Google. But a good foundation helps it grow later.

For more information on how to prepare a website for search, see the article Choosing SEO keywords for your website. Without a keyword and content plan, SEO quickly becomes just a general promise.

What to have in place before your first enquiry

A few clear points are sufficient before sending a request. What business. Why you need a website. Approximately how many pages are planned. Whether there are texts and photos. Do you need help with content. Is there a term that really matters.

It is then easier to get a more specific answer on the scope of the work, the price and the timing. If time is of the essence, the article will also be useful How long does it take to build a website.

If you already have a website in mind, it's worth taking an hour to prepare it. It often saves days and sometimes a lot of money.

It's also worth thinking about the layout of your website before you order it. Article from how to plan your website structure helps to clarify the layout of pages, menus and the visitor path.

Short preparation list before booking

If you have at least some simple information before the first interview, the project is immediately clearer. It's not necessary to prepare everything perfectly, but it's good to have the basics. Then it's easier to understand the cost, the timeframe and whether you need a simple website or a broader solution.

• what services or products need to be delivered
• which customers are most important
• what are the most recurrent questions
• what pages will definitely be needed
• who will take decisions during the project

If this topic is relevant, it is worth moving on to Website development guide for small businesses. If you're mapping out the whole process, then the How do I prepare for the website development process?.

If you're already thinking about a new website, but you're not quite sure how big it will need to be, get in touch. Sometimes all it takes is a short conversation to take a project from a vague idea to a clearer plan.