Planning Your Website Project: Where to Start?
Launching a new website (or giving an old one a much-needed refresh) is a big decision for any business. Whether you’re a start-up or an established brand, careful planning and taking the time to think things through ensures you get the most out of your investment. Without a clear plan, you’ll risk blown budgets, missed deadlines, and disappointment with a website that doesn’t actually do what you need it to.
So, here’s a guide website planning guide to make sure that the above doesn’t happen.
Choose the Right Name & Domain
If you’re starting fresh with a new brand or website, picking the right name is a critical first step. Here’s how to avoid naming disasters:
- Google It: Before you get too attached to a name, please Google it. You want to see what already exists under your potential name. If there’s an established business dominating search results, you will most likely struggle to rank, and rebranding later will only be a headache for you later down the line.
- Check Domain Availability: Your domain name should match your brand name as closely as possible. Don’t include any awkward dashes or weird spellings that people won’t remember. A top tip is to use a domain registrar to check if your ideal URL is available. If your perfect domain is taken and only available for a very big price, consider other options.
- Company Name Registration: Are you planning to register as a limited company? Check availability on Companies House (if you’re in the UK) to ensure your name is unique and legally available.
- Trademark Check: You can to avoid legal drama down the line. If your name is a core part of your brand, make sure it’s not already trademarked in your industry. Again, saving yourself yet another headache later on.
Define Your Website Goals & Features
Before jumping straight into the design, be crystal clear on what your website needs to achieve.
Ask yourself:
- What’s the main goal? (Is it lead generation, eCommerce, portfolio, brand awareness?)
- Who’s your audience? (And how do they browse online?)
- What key features are essential? (is it contact forms, booking systems, membership areas, blogs?)
- What action do you want visitors to take? (is it to buy, book, subscribe, get in touch?)
Top Tip: If your project is complex, seriously think about writing a website brief. The clearer you are, the better your cost estimates and timelines will be.
Content Planning
Content is often an afterthought, but without it, your site is just a pretty shell. Writing web copy takes a lot longer than you think, so start early. A typical website has 5+ pages, and at 500-700 words per page, which all quickly adds up.
- Who’s writing the content? If you’re handling it in-house, get started as soon as possible. If you need help, consider professional copywriting services to ensure high-quality, SEO-optimised content that converts.
- Gather images & media: Will you need custom photography, stock images, or video content? Finding visuals at the last minute will only equal to stress. So just plan ahead.
- SEO Considerations: Content isn’t just about sounding good. It needs to rank. Optimised headings, keywords, and metadata are key for getting found on Google.
Branding & Design
Your website is like your digital shop window. It should instantly communicate who you are and why you’re different. If you already have an established brand identity, make sure that your website aligns with it. If not, this may be the time to think about a branding refresh. T
- Logo & Colour Palette: Stick to consistent brand colours, typography, and logos for a polished, professional look.
- User Experience (UX) Design: Navigation should be intuitive and seamless, if users can’t find what they need in a few clicks, they’ll leave faster than you can say “bounce rate.”
- Mobile First: With 70%+ of traffic coming from mobile, prioritising mobile-friendly design is no longer optional.
Budgeting & Choosing the Right Web Agency
A website isn’t just another business expense, it’s a serious investment in your brand’s growth and online success. But how much should you budget? The answer depends on what you need your website to do.
Here’s some key factors that impact your website’s cost:
- Design Complexity: A fully custom-built site will naturally cost more than an off-the-shelf template, but it also gives you complete creative freedom.
- Number of pages: A simple five-page brochure site is relatively quick and easy. A multi-layered website with tons of content, now that’s a bigger project.
- Functionality & Features: if you need an eCommerce store, membership system, booking tool, or integrations, this means more functionality which means more development time.
- Content Creation: Great design needs great content. If you’re writing it yourself, factor in the time. If you’re hiring professionals, factor in the cost.
- SEO & Performance: Want your site to rank on Google and load at lightning speed? You need a proper SEO setup and performance optimisations are key.
Are you unsure how much to budget for your website? Use our Website Cost Estimator to get a breakdown tailored to your project.
Top Tip: Don’t just go for the cheapest option. A low price website might cost less upfront, but if it doesn’t perform well, you’ll be paying more to fix it later. Look for experience, client reviews, and a portfolio that shows an agency understands your vision.
Technical Considerations & Hosting
A beautifully designed website is useless if it’s slow, insecure, or constantly crashing! Speed, security, and performance aren’t just afterthoughts, they’re the backbone of a successful site. No one stays for a slow-loading page, and Google definitely will not rank one highly. Here’s what to condiser:
- Hosting & Security: Invest in a fast, reliable hosting provider with SSL security, regular backups, and malware protection.
- Speed & Performance: A slow website kills conversions. Make sure your site is optimised with caching, a CDN (Content Delivery Network), and image compression.
- Analytics Setup: Install Google Analytics & Search Console from the start to track performance and user behaviour.
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Final Thoughts: Plan Now, Succeed Later
A well-planned website is more cost-effective, faster to develop, and delivers better results. Taking the time to define your goals, plan your content, and understand your technical needs ensures a smoother process with fewer surprises.
Whether you’re launching your first site or upgrading an existing one, getting the right team on board makes all the difference. Need expert guidance? Get in touch with Creative Brand Design – we’ll help bring your vision to life.
Let’s Talk About Your Project!