So, you’ve decided to invest in a new website. Whether you’re a local Preston business starting from scratch or looking to refresh an outdated site, the first meeting with your web designer is where the magic happens.
To help us create a site that doesn’t just look good but actually works for your business, it helps to have a few things ready. Here are the key questions we ask our clients at EWDP to ensure we hit the ground running.
1. What is the background to your business?
Before we talk about buttons and banners, we need to understand the "why" behind your business. What do you do, and more importantly, who is your target market? Understanding your audience helps us design a user experience (UX) that speaks directly to them.
2. Do you have your branding sorted?
Your website is your digital storefront, so it needs to match your physical identity.
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Logo: Do you have a high-resolution logo ready to go?
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Colours: Do you have a specific brand palette (HEX codes)?
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Fonts: Are there specific fonts you use in your marketing materials?
Note: If you don't have these yet, don’t worry! We offer
3. What does the website actually need to do?
Functionality is key. Do you need a simple "brochure" site to showcase your work, or does it need to do more? Think about:
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Booking systems or contact forms.
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E-commerce capabilities to sell products.
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Member-only areas or event calendars.
4. What are your "Big 5"?
We usually recommend highlighting 4 or 5 main services or products on your homepage. This keeps the design clean and ensures visitors know exactly what you offer within seconds of landing on the page. What are the pillars of your business?
5. What is the Main Call to Action (CTA)?
When someone lands on your site, what is the #1 thing you want them to do?
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Call you?
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Fill out an enquiry form?
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Buy a product? Every design choice we make will lead the user toward this goal.
6. CMS: Joomla or WordPress?
At EWDP, we don’t believe in "one size fits all." Our primary choice is Joomla for its robustness and flexibility, but we are also experts in WordPress. If you have a preference, let us know! If not, we’ll recommend the platform that best suits your technical needs. Plus, we provide
7. The Logistics: Domains & Social Media
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Domains: Do you already own your URL, or do you need us to register a new one for you?
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Socials: Which platforms are you active on? (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.). We’ll need these to integrate your social feeds and sharing buttons.
8. What are your timescales?
Do you have a hard deadline, like a product launch or a business anniversary? Knowing your timeline helps us manage the project phases—from design to development and SEO—to ensure we launch on time.
We’d love to meet you at our studio in Longton for a brew to discuss these points in person. We find that the best websites start with a real conversation!
Book a meeting with Andy using our Online Calendar. We'd love to talk to you.