How to Prepare Your Content Before Hiring a Web Designer: A Small Business Checklist
Get organized before you hire a web designer. This practical checklist helps small business owners—from Maui to Berlin—gather copy, images, and tech details for a smoother project.
How to Prepare Your Content Before Hiring a Web Designer: A Small Business Checklist
Working with a web designer should feel like a creative partnership — not a scramble. Whether you’re a boutique hotel in Maui, a creative entrepreneur in Berlin, or a café owner in Lisbon, having your content organized before you brief a designer saves time, money, and headaches.
Here’s a friendly, actionable guide to get your content ready so your project moves smoothly from concept to launch.
Start with the big picture: goals and audience
Before gathering files, answer two simple questions:
What is the primary goal of the site? (e.g., bookings, portfolio, email signups, e-commerce)
Who is your target audience? (age, location, job title, values — think about travelers visiting Maui, digital nomads from Tulum, or clients in Shoreditch)
Write a one-paragraph goal and a short audience profile. This will guide every copy and design choice.
Build a content inventory and sitemap
Create a basic content map outlining every page you need. A simple spreadsheet works fine.
Columns to include:
Page name (Home, About, Services, Contact, Blog)
Purpose (e.g., capture leads, showcase work)
Content status (New, Needs edit, Final)
Responsible person
This becomes your project roadmap and prevents surprise pages mid-project.
Gather and refine your copy
Good copy makes design shine. If you don’t have polished text yet, draft conversational, benefit-focused snippets for each page:
Headline and subhead for the homepage
Service descriptions (3–5 short bullets each)
About story — 200–400 words about you or your team
Contact/booking instructions
FAQ with common questions
Copy tips:
Use clear, short sentences. Small business owners and creatives in Paris or Rio respond to concise, friendly language.
Highlight benefits, not just features. Tell people how you solve problems.
Include 3–5 customer testimonials if available.
If writing isn’t your strength, note which pages you want the designer or a copywriter...