5 Things a Website Designer Will Need to Begin Building Your Website
Elise is a Squarespace web designer & Circle member from Baltimore, MD.
Building a website can feel like a monumental task. Doing some research to find out exactly what you will need to begin is a must. Before you purchase a domain, website host or anything at all consider the information below. Here are five crucial assets that your website designer will require before starting the website creation process.
The Name
Choosing the perfect name for your website is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your online presence. The trick is to keep it simple and easy to remember. Your website name should be easy to spell and pronounce. Avoid using complicated words or phrases that might confuse your audience. Make it unique to stand out from the crowd by choosing a name that is distinctive and memorable. Avoid using generic terms or cliches that may not be memorable.
Remember to consider your audience. Think about your target audience and what they might be looking for in a website name. Make sure it is relevant to your niche and connects with your audience. Lastly, research the name you come up with by making sure it is available as a domain name. You can use online tools to check the availability and register your domain name.
By taking the time to carefully select a name for your website, you can create a strong online presence that will help your brand stand out and attract more visitors.
The Purpose
When creating a new website, it is essential to establish your goals and objectives. Understanding your intention behind building a website will help you in creating a website that meets your expectations and serves the needs of your clients if you provide a service or product.
For example, if you offer a service or sell a product, your website can act as an online storefront to promote your offerings and reach a wider audience. Freelancers and professionals may want to create a personal portfolio website to showcase their work, skills, and achievements to potential clients and employers. If you are a nonprofit organization, your website can be used to raise awareness, collect donations, and attract volunteers to support your cause.
Basically, your website's purpose should align with your specific needs and goals. Once you have identified your goals, you can start working on creating a website that reflects your brand, values, and personality.
The Brand Style Sheet
When creating a brand style sheet, it's important to keep in mind the overall message and values of your brand. This can help guide the design decisions and ensure consistency across all branding efforts. You may even want to consider working with a branding agency to help you get it right from the start.
If this is not in your budget here are some things to consider and create:
Color palette: Choose colors that align with your brand's personality and purpose. Consider the emotions that each color evokes and how they can be used to convey the desired message. Take a deep dive into color psychology.
Logos: A good logo should be simple, memorable, and easily recognizable. Make sure to include variations (images and file types) of the logo for different uses. If you can, it is best to work with a professional graphic designer to create a logo.
Tone of voice: Determine your brand's tone and how it should be reflected in all written communications. This can help create a consistent voice that resonates with the target audience.
Typography: Choose fonts that are legible and reflect your brand's personality and purpose. Consider using different fonts for headings and body text to create a hierarchy of information.
Imagery: Use photos and graphics that align with your brand's values and messaging. Consider creating guidelines for photography style and editing to ensure consistency across all visual elements.
Keep in mind, a brand style sheet is a living document that should be updated as your brand evolves and grows. By creating a solid foundation from the beginning, you can ensure that all branding efforts are consistent and effective.
The Content
Having visual content is just as important as having well-written text. Images can help to illustrate the content on your website and make it more engaging for your visitors.
To ensure that your website has a cohesive look and feel, it's a good idea to gather all the images you would like to include before you start building the site. This will give you a better idea of what type of design and layout will work best with your images.
Just remember to use original images that you own or have been given permission to use. If you don’t have original images, stock photos can be a good option. Some options for stock photos include Pexals, Unsplash, and Canva.
In addition to images, you will also need to provide text for important pages such as the About page and service descriptions. These pages are crucial for providing visitors with an understanding of your business and what you have to offer. When writing these pages, it's important to keep in mind your target audience and what they would like to know about you and your services. If you need help with what to say, Webz by Elise offers copywriting as an add-on service.
Your Time
Building a website can be a time-consuming task, but with the right approach, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The key is, to be honest with yourself about how much time you have to dedicate to the task of building a website and use that time wisely.
Block off a specific time in your calendar to ensure that you have enough time to devote to the task during the process each day. Your designer will assign tasks for you to complete like submitting logins, assets, and brief check-ins. If you miss target dates for completing your tasks this will delay the completion of your project.
Do this by determining which tasks are the most important and prioritize them accordingly. This will help you stay on track and avoid wasting time on tasks that are not essential. Webz uses a client portal to pinpoint target dates and keep all assets, and communications in one central place. This can help clients stay on track.
Ultimately, building a website takes time and effort, but the end result can be a powerful tool for growing your business or personal brand.
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