How to Plan Your Website Before You Hire a Designer or Developer

Building a website without a plan is like starting a road trip with no map. You’ll waste time, money, and energy — and end up frustrated.

Before you hire a web designer or developer (like me 😉), here’s how to prep properly. These steps will save you time, clarify your vision, and help you get the best possible result.

1. 🎯 Define Your Website’s Purpose

Ask yourself:
What is the #1 goal of this website?

Are you trying to generate leads?
Sell a product?
Build trust and show authority?
Get more bookings?

👉 Clarity here helps your designer/developer focus the layout, copy, and flow around conversions — not just looks.

Pro tip: Don’t try to make your site “do everything.” One focused goal is better than five confusing ones.

2. ✍️ Outline Your Content Early

Don’t wait until the design is done to think about content. Content shapes design — not the other way around.

Create a rough outline for pages like:

Home
About
Services/Products
Testimonials
Contact
Blog (optional)

Even bullet points are enough to start. Knowing what content you’ll need helps your designer:

Choose the right layout
Design calls-to-action
Estimate the project scope properly

3. 📦 List the Features You Actually Need

Make a wishlist — but keep it realistic. Do you need:

A booking calendar?
E-commerce functionality?
A blog or CMS (content management system)?
Email marketing integration?
Multilingual support?

Knowing this up front avoids surprises mid-project.

🛠️ Example: Want to sell digital products? That’s a different tech stack than a basic portfolio site.

4. 💰 Set a Realistic Budget Range

Don’t Google “how much should a website cost” and expect a straight answer.
Costs vary based on:

Scope
Timeline
Features
Platform (Webflow, WordPress, Framer, custom code, etc.)

💡 General ranges (in 2025):

Starter site (1–3 pages): $500–$1,200
Small business site (5–7 pages + basic features): $1,500–$3,500
Custom functionality (eCommerce, booking, CMS, etc.): $3,500–$10k+

Tip: Be upfront with your budget. A good designer can propose smart solutions that give you the most value for your range.

5. 🧭 Know Your Style & Inspiration

Show examples of what you like and why. This speeds up the design process and helps avoid costly revisions.

📌 Bring:

Competitor websites you like/dislike
Color schemes or branding references
Notes on tone: minimalist? fun? corporate? bold?

This becomes your creative brief — and it’s gold.

6. 📆 Set a Rough Timeline

Do you need this live by next week or next quarter?

Designers and devs work best when expectations are clear. Be honest about your deadlines — and if you have a product launch or campaign coming up, share it early.

Ready to Build Smarter?

Prepping like this doesn’t just help your designer or developer. It helps you avoid stress, delays, and wasted money.

👉 If you’re ready to turn your ideas into a clean, high-converting website — without the usual overwhelm — I can help.
I offer affordable, full-stack solutions using tools like Webflow, WordPress, Framer & AI to speed up delivery.

📩 Reach out here or explore my work