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Getting a custom website built? Here's everything I'll need from you
You know your business. I know websites. Here's exactly what to gather before we build, what never to send, and what happens after.
You've decided it's time for a real website. Good news: you don't need to know anything about design, code, or "SEO." That's my job.
What I can't do without you is know your business. The best websites aren't the flashiest ones. They're the ones that answer a customer's questions before they ask and make it easy to say yes. That information lives in your head, so this guide is about getting it out.
One promise up front: rough is fine. Bullet points, voice memos, photos straight off your phone. I'll turn it into a polished site.
The basics
The facts customers look for first:
- Business name, exactly how you want it written
- Phone number and email for customers
- Address, or the areas you serve
- Hours (including seasonal or holiday changes)
- How long you've been in business
What you offer
- Every service or product you want on the site
- Prices, if you want them shown (even "starting at" works)
- The one or two things you want more of. This is the most important answer on this page. It tells me what the site should push hardest.
Your customers
This is where a website goes from "nice" to "it brings in business." Tell me:
- Who your best customers are
- The questions you get asked over and over
- What makes people hesitate before they buy or book
- Why people pick you over the place down the street
Every one of these becomes a spot on your site that answers a concern right when a visitor has it, like a good salesperson standing in your store.
Your story
A few sentences on why you started and what you care about, plus a photo of you or your team if you're comfortable. People buy from people. A real face beats a stock photo every time.
Your logo and photos
- Logo: the original file if you have it (ask whoever designed it). If all you have is a screenshot, that's okay. Send it anyway.
- Photos: real photos of your work, your space, your team, your products. Phone photos are great. Take them in daylight, hold the phone steady, and send the originals, not screenshots.
- Videos: anything short you've posted on social media counts.
No photos yet? Tell me. We'll plan around it.
Proof that you're good
- Reviews and testimonials (screenshots are fine)
- Licenses, certifications, insurance
- Awards, press, or groups you belong to
What should a visitor do?
Every page needs one clear next step. Pick yours:
- Call you
- Book an appointment
- Request a quote
- Buy something
- Visit in person
Then tell me where messages from the site should go (which email or phone).
Your accounts (invite, don't share)
Some things I'll need access to. Not your passwords. An invite with my own login, which you can remove anytime.
- Your domain (yourbusiness.com): if you already have one, tell me which company it's with. If you don't have one yet, I'll walk you through getting one in your own name. (Full guide: How to buy your own domain name.)
- Your Google Business Profile: add me as a Manager, not an Owner. That way I can help you show up on Google Maps while you stay in charge.
- Social media links: just the links. I don't need logins.
- Tools you already use: booking, online ordering, payments, newsletters. Just tell me the name.
Please never send me: passwords, credit card or bank details, or your personal email login.
The quick checklist
| What | Example | Rough is OK? |
|---|---|---|
| Basics | Name, phone, hours, service area | Yes |
| Services | List + what you want more of | Yes |
| Customers | Top questions and hesitations | Yes, voice memo is perfect |
| Story | A few sentences + a photo of you | Yes |
| Logo and photos | Original files, phone photos | Yes |
| Proof | Reviews, licenses, certifications | Screenshots are fine |
| Next step | Call, book, quote, buy | Just pick one |
| Accounts | Domain, Google listing (invite me) | You stay the owner |
Don't have everything? Start anyway. Most people don't, and we fill the gaps together.
And then we go from there
- We talk for about 30 minutes. I ask questions, you talk about your business. No tech talk.
- I build your homepage first. You see it before anything else gets built, so we agree on the direction early.
- I build out the rest using what you gave me, written in plain language your customers understand.
- You review everything. Tell me what feels off. It's your business, and the site should sound like it.
- We launch. I connect your domain, test every form and button on phone and desktop, and make sure Google can find you.
- Everything stays in your name. Your domain, your Google listing, your accounts. A website should be something you own, not something you rent from your designer.