Plan a website around your business.

You don’t need a technical brief. A few clear answers will help you get a useful quote and avoid paying for things you don’t need.

1. Decide what it should help people do.

Think about what a customer should do next: should visitors request a quote, book an appointment, visit your shop, or buy something? Pick the most important action. The pages should make that action easy.

2. Explain who it’s for.

Think about the questions customers ask before choosing you. A local service business might need coverage areas, examples and an explanation of pricing. A specialist supplier might need detailed product information. Your website should answer the questions your customers actually have.

3. Gather what you already have.

• Your current website address and who manages it.
• A list of your services and the areas you cover.
• Your logo, useful photographs and examples of your work.
• Customer feedback you have permission to publish.
• Any booking, payment or other systems the site needs to connect to.

Keep passwords out of an initial enquiry. Access can be arranged securely when it’s needed.

4. Know what changes the price.

Starter includes up to five content pages and one revision round; Business includes up to ten pages and two rounds. Larger sites, bookings, integrations and extensive writing are quoted separately. Start with what your customers need, then compare the packages.

Ask for a written description of the work: features, who supplies the content, how you’ll review it and what happens if your requirements change.

Website projects normally use a 50% deposit, with the balance due once you’ve approved the finished site, before launch.

5. Ask about the ongoing costs.

Every new website package includes 12 months of Hosting & Care from launch and one managed business mailbox during active care. Continuing afterwards is optional at £59 + VAT/month. Domain renewals, platform subscriptions, payment fees and paid extras are separate. Your quote explains the costs before you commit. Care, ownership and your choices after launch →

6. Plan for the visitors you expect.

If you’ll use ads, tell your developer what you’re advertising and where visitors will land. Check that the page explains the same offer, works comfortably on a phone, and makes contacting you straightforward. Agree how successful enquiries will be measured.

A brief you can start with.

“I’m not sure yet” is a useful answer too. These are starting points for a conversation.