What Information a Website Designer Needs From You (and Why It Matters)

Starting a new website project is exciting, but it can also feel a bit daunting.

Clients often worry they’ll be asked for everything upfront or that they won’t “have the right answers”.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a web expert. A good designer will guide you, but there are a few key things that help your project run smoothly, stay on budget, and deliver the best possible result.

Here’s exactly what your website designer will need from you, and why each piece matters.

1. A Clear Idea of Your Business & Goals

First things first, your designer needs to understand you.

This includes:

• What your business does

• Who your customers are

• What you want the website to achieve

Ask yourself:

• Is the goal to get enquiries?

• Sell products or services?

• Build trust and credibility?

• Share information?

Why this matters: Your website’s layout, content, and structure all depend on your goals. A site designed to sell looks very different from one designed to inform or build a personal brand.

2. Your Target Audience

You don’t need a marketing degree, just a general idea of who you’re talking to.

Helpful details include:

• Are your customers local, national, or global?

• Are they businesses or individuals?

• What problems are they trying to solve?

Why this matters: Your designer uses this to shape the tone, visuals, and user journey. A website for creatives feels very different from one aimed at trades, charities, or corporate clients.

3. Your Branding (or Honesty if You Don’t Have Any)

If you already have branding, great, your designer will need:

• Logo files (preferably PNG or SVG)

• Brand colours

• Fonts (if you have them)

• Any brand guidelines

If you don’t have branding yet, that’s absolutely fine. Just say so.

Why this matters: Clarity avoids guesswork. Designers can either follow your existing brand or help you create something consistent and professional from scratch.

4. Website Content (or a Starting Point)

Content doesn’t have to be perfect, but designers do need something to work with.

This might include:

• Text for pages (Home, About, Services, Contact)

• Bullet points or rough notes

• Existing website copy

• FAQs you’re often asked

Why this matters: Content affects page layout, spacing, and flow. Even draft text helps prevent last-minute delays or awkward redesigns later.

(Many designers, Brook Digital included, can also help you write or refine this.)

5. Examples of Websites You Like (and Don’t Like)

You don’t need to explain why you like a site, just share it.

Helpful examples include:

• Websites you love

• Competitors’ sites

• Colours or layouts you’re drawn to

• Anything you definitely dislike

Why this matters: Visual references speed things up and reduce revisions. They help designers understand your taste much faster than words alone.

6. Required Features & Functionality

Think about what your website needs to do.

Examples:

• Contact forms

• Online booking

• Image galleries

• Blogs

• E-commerce

• Newsletter sign-ups

Why this matters: Functionality affects timelines, costs, and platform choices. Knowing this early prevents scope creep and unexpected changes later on.

7. Practical Details

A few admin bits help everything run smoothly:

• Domain name (if you have one)

• Hosting details (or confirmation if you don’t)

• Preferred email address for contact forms

• Deadlines or launch dates

Why this matters: These details ensure your site is built correctly and launched without delays.

You Don’t Need Everything on Day One

This is the most important takeaway:

You don’t need to arrive fully prepared or polished.

A good designer:

• Asks the right questions

• Helps you clarify ideas

• Guides you step-by-step

• Translates your thoughts into something visual and functional

At Brook Digital, we’re used to starting with ideas, not perfection.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re thinking about a new website and feel unsure where to begin, that’s exactly where most clients start.

A simple conversation is often all it takes to turn scattered thoughts into a clear, confident website plan.

Let’s build something that works for your business together.