Thinking about working with a website designer? How exciting! Whether you’re building your very first site or finally investing in the revamp you’ve been dreaming about, a little prep work goes a long way.

The smoothest, most magical design experiences always start with a little prep on your end. Not because I need everything perfectly polished (that’s what we’re here for!), but because the more clarity you bring to the table, the faster I can get you to a site that’s strategic, aligned, and ready to convert your dream clients.

So before you fill out our inquiry form, here are 8 things to have ready before working with a website designer, so you start off feeling excited instead of overwhelmed.

1. Consider Your Goals for Your Website

Before I design a single pixel, I’ll want to know what you actually want this site to do for you. Are you after more inquiries, a place to sell your offers, or a site that tells your story and answers questions from potential clients before they even know they have them?

Start by jotting down:

• What you want your website to achieve (leads, sales, bookings, credibility, maybe all of the above!)
• Any must-have features or functionality
• Whether you’re dreaming of interactive elements
• Specific pages you know you’ll need

If you already have a website that you’re wanting us to revamp, this is your time to be reallllly honest. Make a list of everything about your current site that isn’t working for you. That list is literally gold once you start working with a website designer on the new version. And be sure to make note of anything you do like about your current site. I like to know that too!

2. Written Content

Or, at the very least, a willingness to complete our copy workbook so we can write it together.

A beautifully designed website without well-written copy (the actual words on your site) is a website that isn’t fully doing its job. The message to your dream client isn’t going to land the way it should if we’re only focused on visuals.

We offer copywriting support as part of our custom website design packages, but it’s a true collaboration, and we lean on you heavily throughout that process.

If you’re looking for something a bit more hands-off before working with a website designer, you might also consider investing in a professional copywriter, ideally one who understands sales psychology and weaves SEO in organically (no awkward keyword stuffing allowed). And trust me when I say I have the best pals on hand to connect you with!

3. Gather Your Images or Book a Photoshoot

If you’re a photographer, easy, you’ve got this covered. But if you’re a newer business, now is the time to start thinking about working with a photographer. And, please, do this sooner than later!

Sometimes it’s best to book your shoot after your brand is established, but before you start working with a website designer to build the site itself.

That sweet little in-between window where your visuals and your vision finally match. If you don’t have a photographer in mind, don’t stress. I have photography pals across the country and would love to help connect you with the right one for your brand.

4. Your Branding

At KBD, we typically only take on website projects when we’ve also done the branding for our clients, and there’s a reason for that combo.

Designing your brand identity first lets us get to know you and your business from the ground up. When you go through our branding process, we get to know your story and voice, but also develop your visual world meaning your website isn’t just an extension of your brand, it is your brand, brought to life online.

If we’ve already designed your brand with you, we’ll have access to all your files already tucked away and ready to go when it’s time for the website phase. If not, we’ll chat through what we need from you so everything feels cohesive from day one.

5. Gather any Inspiration Sites

We loveee when clients come to us with a little inspo folder of sites that light them up. We’re never copying these sites (your brand deserves to be one of a kind!), but seeing what you’re drawn to, the layouts, the functionality, the overall vibe, helps us understand your taste on a deeper level before we start designing.

Bonus points if you also bring the sites you kind of despise. Knowing what you don’t want is just as useful as knowing what you do.

6. Timeline and Budget

Come with a general sense of your ideal timeline (any launch dates, events, or seasons you’re building toward?) and your budget for the project.

This is one of the most important things to nail down before working with a website designer, since it helps us map out a plan that actually works for your business, with no surprises and no scramble.

7. A Page List

Take a few minutes to jot down every page you think you’ll need: Home, About, Services, Contact, a Shop, or anything unique to your business.

It doesn’t need to be perfect or final, but having a starting list helps us map out your site structure and navigation before I ever open a design file.

8. Logins

Last but not least, the slightly less glamorous but very necessary logistics. We have a secure system inside our client portal for collecting all of your logins safely, but here’s what we’ll typically need:

• Full collaborator access or login to your website platform (Showit, Squarespace, or Shopify)
• Your domain host login, especially important if it’s not already connected, or if we’re handling a site transfer
• Access to any CRMs, newsletter platforms, or third-party apps you’d like integrated (Flodesk, Instagram, etc.)

What You’ll Need if We’re Building an E-Commerce Site

If your project includes a shop, here’s what to start gathering:

• Product titles
• Product imagery
• Product descriptions
• Collection names
• Any apps or integrations you’re dreaming of

Don’t have all of this ready yet? No worries at all! This is exactly what our discovery call and chat with our developer is for. We’ll walk through it together and get you set up for success.

Your Quick Checklist Recap ✨

Before working with a website designer, gather:

• Your website goals
• Photography (or a plan to get some!)
• Written content (or readiness to collaborate on it)
• Your brand foundation
• Inspiration sites (loves and hates)
• Your timeline and budget
• A rough page list
• Your logins and access details
• Plus: ecommerce essentials, if applicable.

Ready to Work with a Website Designer?

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you reach out. That’s what we’re here for!

Walking into the process of working with a website designer with even a litttttle of this prep means we get to spend more time on the fun, creative, transformative parts of your project, and less time chasing down logins.

If your website has been weighing on your heart lately, this is your sign. Inquire with us today, and let’s bring your dream site to life.