Essential Web Design Questions Your Web Designer Will Ask

Have You Thought About Your New Website?

Here at PixoLabo, we design websites for all kinds of businesses. And we are used to dealing with all sorts of clients. Many of them are well prepared. But occasionally, we come across a client that doesn’t even know what kind of website they want or need. And if clients are unable to answer a few essential web design questions, their project is off to a bad start!

Sometimes a potential client will call on the phone. The conversation goes something like this: “Hi, I need a website. How much does that cost?” Our standard answer is this: “A Million Dollars. If you can provide a few more details, it becomes a hell of a lot cheaper!” You see, there is no such thing as a ‘standard’ website. Yes, I know it is a common misconception. That still doesn’t make it accurate.

A useful business website is not something that you grab off the shelf. If you do that, you will have a website, true. But it will neither be practical nor contribute to your business. If you want a business website that gets lots of traffic and converts visitors into consumers, you need to plan. Your project is pretty much doomed if you are unable to answer a few essential web design questions.

Why? Because any professional web designer or agency will need to know specific details before they can start your project. Professionals are interested in why you are getting a website and what it needs to do for your business. Your answers will determine how they approach your project. And how much it will cost. Therefore, you need to plan. Unless you want to pay that million bucks, of course!

Essential Web Design Questions and Why We Ask Them!

Over the years, we have come up with a whole list of essential web design questions we ask potential clients. Some of them are specific and apply to individual projects only. But others apply to every web design project.

To help you and your web designer or agency, create the best possible website I am listing them here. And to help you understand the questions I will tell you why we ask them. Some are easy and straightforward. Others will require some thought. Good, that keeps your brain cells elastic! Let’s answer some essential web design questions, shall we?

What is your business’s name?

Your business name is essential when considering domain names. It helps with SEO if your business name contains keywords related to your trade/business.

Please briefly describe your business, what services you offer, how and where you operate, and who your customers are.

Your web designer needs to know about your business to create a website for it. Each service you offer will typically have its page(s) on your website. It is also helpful to know your unique selling points and why potential customers should choose you over your competitors.

Please list your top competitors and their websites.

Your web designer can identify niches in the market for your website to exploit with knowledge of your competitors and their websites. And ensure that where your new website does compete head-to-head, it has the advantage.

Please briefly explain why you want a new website and how it will benefit your business.

A website can serve any of several purposes and fulfill a multitude of functions depending on the nature of your business and what it offers. Your web designer needs to know the aim of your website and build it to achieve its goals.

What is your budget for your new website?

Budgets can be a sensitive area, and a professional web designer will respect that costs should be kept as low as possible while achieving what is required. However, an idea of a budget will enable them to steer you towards the most appropriate type of website for your business.

What is your deadline for getting the new website live?

A launch date gives your web designer a target to work towards and helps them prioritize their work.

Are you interested in getting found by Google or Bing?

Identifying the right keywords and phrases is essential as these will form the basis of your website’s search engine optimization. Professionals use SEO to get your site up to the top of the search results for your chosen keywords to help your customers find your website. Let them know the essential words and phrases.

Do you have a domain name in mind or already registered?

A domain name is vital for several reasons. It should be short, memorable, and both easy to type and say. It should also be relevant to your business name and the services you offer.

Can you provide examples of websites you like?

Do you have any design ideas or general guidelines, or even a completed website layout design that you want to use? Your web designer can base the design of your website around them.

Equally important is to let your web design team know design elements such as colors, fonts, navigation menu styles, and related items that you do NOT like. This way, they can avoid them.

What kind of pages and features do you want on your website?

The type of pages and features you want is the most crucial question in determining your website’s nature. Your web designer needs details of each page and the critical points of information and functionality that they will cover and as much detail as possible.

Are you able to provide all the content (text and images) for your site’s different pages?

Compelling content is an essential part of your website. Usually, the client is responsible for delivering all content for the pages of their website, including headings, text, images (and other media). You may also be able to hire your web design agency to create content as part of your project.

Are you able to provide high-quality images to be used on your website, and do you have permission to use these images?

The more images of your business and the services it provides you have, the better from a web design point of view. These images need to be high quality to get the best out of them on your website. If you provide images, you need to provide proof you are legally able to use them.

Do you want to integrate social media on your site?

Social media is an essential way of generating interest in your business, connecting with its customers, and driving traffic to your website. Having a feed on your site can act as a news stream and link website visitors with a way to get in touch.

Do you want to add a blog to your website?

Blogging is one of the most effective ways for businesses to benefit from content marketing. Your web designer can help you establish and add a blog to your website.

How often will your site be updated, and would you like to be able to make necessary updates yourself?

Most of our clients want at least some ability to update their website themselves. For this reason, we generally recommend having a WordPress business website.

Do you require training on how to use your new website?

A professional web designer or agency generally includes at least a basic training session as part of any web design project. Many also offer ongoing website maintenance plans.

Do you have website hosting? If so, can you provide full access?

Not only do you need hosting for your business website. But your web designer or agency will also need full access to launch your new website.

Answering Web Design Questions

Now you know more about essential web design questions, and why you need to answer them. That means you are ready to take the next steps. Find a comfortable seat. Grab your iPad, smartphone, or another favorite note-taking device. A simple yellow legal pad works well for me. And start writing down YOUR answers to these essential web design questions.

Some answers will come quickly. Others may require some careful thinking. Make sure you don’t skip over any questions. They are all equally important. When finished, put your notes away and do something else. Wait a day, and then go over your notes. The reason I recommend this is sometimes your perspective or vision may change. Quite often, a second and even third look can be very beneficial.

If you don’t understand all the questions or don’t have all the answers, don’t worry. Simply make a note of those. When you are ready to discuss your project with a professional web designer or agency, they will be more than happy to help you determine the answers with you.

Our team would much rather spend an extra hour or two with a client at the beginning of a project. Why? Because we prefer to avoid common web design problems and instead establish a successful business website for you! And isn’t that what you want as well?

We Can Help You Answer Essential Web Design Questions!

Here at PixoLabo, we offer a full range of mobile-first business website consulting and design services, including mobile-first web design and development, e-commerce solutions, search engine optimization, brand strategy, and design, and business website hosting and maintenance.

Reach out to us to learn more about our business website services. Our team can help you determine the answers to these essential web design questions and get a business website that works for your business, not against it. And for much less than a million dollars. What a deal!

Did Our Essential Web Design Questions Make You Think?

Do you have anything to add to our web design questions? Please leave your comments below so our audience can benefit as well, and grab our feed, so you don’t miss our next post! And help other business owners get an excellent business website by sharing this post with them!

Thank you! We appreciate your help to end bad business websites, one pixel at a time!

By Gregor Schmidt
Co-Founder / CXO
@gregoraschmidt