Briefing Your Designer and Choosing a Web Design

When building a new website for your business, there are so many different elements to consider: graphics, photos, illustrations, text, navigation, conversation, target market, etc. The list literally goes on and on. Not to mention, you have to decide on a unique aesthetic and design for your website that represents your company and sets it aside from others in the industry. It’s easy to get in over your head.

Before you proceed with the actual development of your website, it’s important to discuss all elements in detail with your web designer.


This part of the process is known as a website brief.

A well-structured brief will have a number of different elements. Mostly it will address your expectations and goals for your website and provide the developer with all the necessary information and tools he needs from you in order to create a successful site. The brief will also enable you to make decisions, keep the project on track, and redirect if necessary.

When preparing a brief for your web developer, include information about your business, goals for the project, website content, target market, expectations, deadlines, and contact information. The web developer should have a thorough understanding of your business and industry and what you’re hoping this new website will do for your business. Also, thoroughly describe your clients and target demographic, what they expect from you and your company.

Also, in order to speed the project along, include all the information and material the developer needs from you to move forward with building the website. This can include any number of things from photos, illustrations, copy and product information, to audio files, logos, testimonials and other content.


The brief is also a great area to address the all-important website design.

If your web developer is also a graphic designer that will be creating the design and graphics for your website, provide an idea of what you’re looking for and discuss your vision in detail. Research websites of other companies in your industry and pick out the ones you like the most. Discuss these options with your web designer and decide how you can make your website attractive and unique.

To avoid confusion, it’s also important to clearly outline what the web developer is expected to provide and in what timeframe. If everyone agrees on deliverables and delivery dates up front, you stand a better chance of seeing your website completed in a timely fashion.

If there’s a project manager, assistant or other point of contact that they’ll be connecting with for content or questions throughout the process, make sure they know who that person is and how to get in touch with them. When questions or content requests go unanswered, your website project can become stale and fall behind schedule.


A brief is a great way to get your website project started off on the right foot.

Clear communication and organization at the start of the project will ensure that you get the website you want completed in an efficient way.

 

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