"What do I need to get ready for my new website?" This is one of the first questions I get from new clients. The good news? Most of what you need, you already have in your head.
The key to a smooth, fast website project is having the right information organized before we start. Here's exactly what to prepare:
1. Know Your Business Basics (5 minutes)
Start with the fundamentals. You know your business better than anyone, so this should be easy:
Write down:
- What services do you offer?
- What areas do you serve?
- What makes you different from competitors?
- What do customers love most about working with you?
2. Gather Your Contact Information
Customers need to reach you easily. Make sure you have:
Essential Info:
- ✓ Business phone number
- ✓ Email address
- ✓ Physical address (if you want customers to visit)
- ✓ Business hours
Nice to Have:
- • Social media links
- • Emergency contact number
- • Specific service areas
- • Appointment booking link
3. Think About Your Ideal Customer
This helps me write content that speaks directly to the people you want to attract:
Ask yourself:
- • Who is your best customer? (homeowners, business owners, etc.)
- • What problems do you solve for them?
- • How do they usually find businesses like yours?
- • What would make them choose you over a competitor?
4. Collect Photos (If You Have Them)
Photos make your website more personal and trustworthy. Don't worry if you don't have professional photos – we can work with what you have or source appropriate images.
Great to Have:
Your logo, photos of your work, your storefront, or you and your team
Phone Photos Work Fine!
Don't wait for professional photos. Good phone photos are perfectly fine for most websites.
5. List Your Services Clearly
Be specific about what you do. Instead of "home repairs," list "plumbing, electrical, drywall repair, and fixture installation."
Pro Tip:
Think about what customers search for on Google. Use those exact words when describing your services.
6. Gather Any Existing Content
If you have any existing materials, they can save time:
- Business cards or brochures
- Customer reviews or testimonials
- Licenses, certifications, or awards
- Old website content (if you had one)
What You DON'T Need to Worry About
Many business owners stress about things that aren't necessary:
Don't stress about:
- ✗ Writing perfect website copy (I handle that)
- ✗ Technical stuff like hosting or domains
- ✗ Designing the layout (that's my job)
- ✗ SEO optimization (included in the service)
- ✗ Making it mobile-friendly (automatic)
The 48-Hour Reality
With this information ready, I can typically have your website built and live within 48 hours. Without it, the project might take a week or more as we go back and forth gathering details.
15 minutes of preparation on your end saves days on mine – and gets you online faster.