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Start with the Right Conversation
A well-designed website does more than look good. It helps people find you, understand you, and trust you. It builds your brand and backs your goals.
But great websites don’t just happen. They start with a proper consultation.
This is where you lay everything out—goals, audience, priorities, constraints—and hear how a designer thinks, works, and plans. If you skip this step, you risk wasting time and budget on something that misses the mark.
A good consultation clears the fog. It sets expectations. It gets both sides aligned.
Why Website Consultations Matter
A website consultation isn’t a pitch. It’s a planning session.
Here’s what you should walk away with:
- A clearer understanding of what your business needs.
- A sense of the designer’s process and problem-solving ability.
- A shared language and timeline for the project.
Done well, a consultation gives structure to what’s often a messy process. It’s how you turn a vague brief into a real plan.
What to Ask in the First Meeting
A strong website starts with strong questions. Here are a few worth asking:
- What’s your design process from start to finish?
- Can I see examples of websites you’ve built for similar businesses?
- How do you handle feedback, revisions, and delays?
- What tools do you use for communication and project management?
You’re not just checking experience—you’re testing alignment.
Set Clear Goals and Know Your Audience
Your website needs a purpose. Are you trying to:
- Generate leads?
- Build awareness?
- Sell products?
And who’s it for? What do they care about? What do you want them to do?
Without clear goals and a defined audience, you’ll end up with a site that pleases no one.
Know the Process Before You Start
Every designer works differently. But most projects follow a version of this:
- Discovery and research
- Strategy and wireframes
- Design and feedback
- Build and development
- Testing and launch
Ask for a breakdown. Ask for key dates. Know what’s happening and when.
Budget, Timelines, and Deliverables
Be direct:
- What’s the cost, and what’s included?
- What happens if we go over?
- What’s the expected delivery date?
This isn’t about pushing prices down. It’s about avoiding surprises.
Prioritise UX, Mobile, and Accessibility
Your site must be usable on every device, for every person. That means:
- Simple navigation
- Fast loading times
- Clear structure
- Accessibility for all users
Ask how your consultant handles these. If they don’t bring it up, that’s a red flag.
Don’t Forget SEO and Content
Ask about keyword planning. Ask about technical SEO. Ask how they structure content to match search intent.
A beautiful site that nobody finds is a waste of time.
Choose the Right CMS
The content management system (CMS) matters. It should be:
- Easy for you to use
- Flexible enough to grow
- Supported by your team or agency
Ask: “What CMS do you recommend, and why?”
Build for the Long Term
What happens after launch?
- Who fixes bugs?
- Who updates plugins?
- Who handles backups?
A site is never really finished. Make sure support is in place.
Ask for Innovation and Scalability
Good designers build for now. Great designers build for what’s next.
Ask:
- How will this scale as we grow?
- Will we be able to add features later?
- Are we following current standards or setting them?
Final Checklist: Key Questions to Ask
Here’s a short list to take into your consultation:
- Can I see your recent work and client results?
- What’s your process from discovery to launch?
- How do you handle feedback and revisions?
- What CMS do you recommend, and can I manage it myself?
- How do you approach SEO, mobile, and accessibility?
- What happens after launch—do you offer support?
- What’s the total cost, timeline, and list of deliverables?
Final Thought
If you want a website that actually helps your business, don’t skip the consultation.
Come prepared. Ask the right questions. Be honest about your goals. The better the conversation, the better the outcome.
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