Creating your website: decisions to make before design

01

Choose one priority action

Presenting services, receiving quote requests and making appointments easier do not lead to exactly the same website. Choose the goal that matters most for your business. Other actions can remain available, but they should not all compete for the same attention.

For a service business, a useful starting question is: “After reading this page, what next step would help this visitor?” Your answer will guide the menu, information shown and main button.

02

Gather information that helps people decide

Prepare a precise description of your services, service area, contact details and ways to get in touch. Add your official logo and photographs you have permission to use. These elements help build a website about your business rather than fill a template with generic statements.

• For each service: who it is for, what it includes and how to get started.
• For each project: the context, your contribution and suitable images.
• For each testimonial: the exact wording and permission to reuse it with the customer's identity.

03

Build a journey before adding more pages

A page should answer questions your customers actually have. A service page can present a need, explain the service, show an example, address common concerns and offer a contact option. It does not need to repeat everything on the homepage.

Fictional example: a tradesperson wants to receive quote requests. Their page lists the work offered and areas served, shows two projects and provides a form asking for the project type and a way to respond. Visitors understand what they need to prepare.

04

Test the contact process on a phone

Do not approve only a desktop screenshot. Open the website on your phone and try the full journey: find a service, read the content, tap the button and complete the form. Check readability, tap target sizes and the messages displayed after submission.

Also make sure the enquiry reaches the right recipient. A visible but misconfigured form does not do its job. Try it with a test email address, then check receipt and the intended confirmation response.

05

Clarify what happens after the project

Before comparing proposals, clarify who supplies copy, images and translations, who approves the pages and what happens after launch. Distinguish website creation, hosting and any recurring updates.

Also record the access you will receive and the features actually included. A written scope makes offers easier to compare than a simple list of page names.