Writing a great website design brief

If you’re planning a new website and would like us to help, the more we know about your company the more effective a product we can deliver for you. So whether you want to write and submit a full brief, or just prepare your thoughts before talking to us, the notes below are a great place for you to start:

Your company

Describe your company in a short paragraph.
What do you sell / services do you provide?
What 3 single words best describe your business?
What 3 single words would your customers use to describe you?
Who are your closest competitors – local & national?
Who do you aspire to compete against?
What makes your company different from your competitors?
Is your business growing or changing?
Do you want your business to grow or change – and in what way?

Your customers

What’s your website used for, i.e Research, Pricing, eCommerce, Getting your contact details?
Who are your customers – public / trade?
What is the average age of your customers?
What business type are your clients?
How do your customers usually hear about you?
What percentage of customers are repeat trade?

Your current website

What works well on your current website?
What doesn’t work well on your current website?
Do you want to retain anything from your current website?
How many visits does your website get?
What percentage of website visits are from mobile devices?
How frequently does your site generate sales or real enquiries?
How much time do you currently devote to keeping your website up to date?
How much time would you commit to keeping your new website up to date?

The new website

What do you want to achieve with a new website?
What functionality does the website require?
Is the new website part of a re-brand, or new product?
List a few competitors’ websites.
List a few websites you like or think work well.
Do you have a timescales you need to work to?

Your brand

Is your brand established and will it inform the new website?
Do you need to consider a new brand or logo before the new website?
Do you have any other marketing materials that will be relevant to the new website design?