Building a website is more than just design—it’s about creating a seamless, aligned experience that reflects your brand. Before the website build begins, certain elements need to be in place to ensure a smooth process and the best results.
Brand Identity Comes First
A website should feel like an extension of your brand, not a disconnected piece. If you don’t already have a clear brand identity, this is the first step. This includes your logo, colour palette, typography, and overall visual direction. A well-defined brand creates consistency across your website, marketing materials, and social platforms.
If branding isn’t established yet, Sarah, our expert, can create a bespoke brand identity to ensure everything aligns before the website is developed. Without this foundation, the design can feel mismatched and unpolished.
Content: What Your Website Needs
A website isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about what it says. Before the design process starts, having content ready is essential. This includes text for key pages such as:
Homepage introduction
About page
Services or product descriptions
Contact details
Blog or portfolio (if relevant)
If writing isn’t your strength, we offer copywriting services to ensure your website communicates your brand message effectively. Well-crafted text makes all the difference in engaging visitors and guiding them towards action.
Strong visuals are equally important. Whether professional brand photography or carefully selected stock images, high-quality visuals help bring a website to life. A site without images can feel empty and incomplete.
Website Structure and Page Planning
A well-structured website improves user experience and ensures everything flows naturally. Before starting the build, it’s important to define which pages are needed and how they will be organised. Most websites include a homepage, about page, services or product pages, and a contact page. Some may also have a portfolio, blog, or online shop, depending on the business.
Beyond the number of pages, consider how they will be structured. Will the site be a single scrolling page or have multiple sections? Are there interactive elements like booking forms, downloads, or memberships? Planning these details in advance prevents unnecessary revisions later.
It’s also important to consider the user journey. What action do you want visitors to take? Do you want them to book a call, sign up for a newsletter, or make a purchase? Ensuring that navigation and call-to-actions are well-placed will help guide visitors smoothly through the site.
SEO Considerations
If you want your website to be easily found online, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) should be considered from the start. This includes:
Using the right keywords in your website text
Structuring pages with headings, short paragraphs, and clear calls to action
Optimising images to improve site speed and performance
Writing SEO-friendly meta titles and descriptions for each page
Good SEO practices ensure your website ranks well on search engines, helping potential customers find you more easily.
Technical Setup & Integrations
Some websites need more than just text and images. Depending on the business, additional features may be required, such as:
Email marketing sign-ups
Booking systems
E-commerce setup
Membership areas
Payment gateways
Social media feeds
These integrations should be planned in advance to ensure they are seamlessly built into the website.
Domain & Hosting: Timing Matters
Many people rush to buy a domain and hosting before their website is properly planned, which can lead to extra costs or technical issues. The domain name should align with the brand, and the hosting plan should match the website’s needs.
Holding off on purchasing these elements until the structure is finalised ensures the right decisions are made from the start, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
Legal Requirements
Depending on the type of website, legal pages may be required. These typically include:
Privacy Policy – Required if you collect any user data (emails, contact forms, analytics, etc.)
Terms & Conditions – Especially important for e-commerce sites
Cookie Consent – If your website uses cookies, you may need a disclaimer for visitors
Ensuring these are in place before launch helps keep your business compliant and professional.
Budget, Timeline & Preparation
A well-prepared website project moves faster and avoids costly last-minute changes. A realistic budget should account for branding (if needed), website design, content creation, and any additional features such as booking systems or eCommerce.
Rushing the process often leads to extra expenses, frustration, and a site that doesn’t feel cohesive. A structured approach, where branding, content, and planning are in place before the build begins, ensures a smoother, more efficient process.
Website Maintenance & Future Growth
Once your website is live, it will need occasional updates to stay fresh and functional. This includes:
Keeping content updated (new blog posts, updated services, pricing changes)
Refreshing images and branding over time
Adding new features as the business grows
A website isn’t a one-time project—it’s an evolving part of your brand that should grow alongside your business.
Final Thoughts
A website isn’t just an online presence—it’s a reflection of your brand. Taking the time to prepare properly will save money, reduce stress, and result in a website that feels intentional and aligned with your vision. If you need branding, content, or help with planning, we can support you every step of the way.