Are you overwhelmed just at the thought of starting your new website? What do I need to provide to my website designer? What do I write? What photos to I include?
Don’t worry, I have you covered. Below are 10 steps to prepare for a new website. These steps will help you take the stress out of preparing for your website.
1. Decide on a Domain Name
I recommend purchasing your domain from NameCheap. They have great prices and make it easy to manage domains. You can also purchase from sites such as GoDaddy, BuyDomains, or from your hosting site.
2. Choose a Host Server
I recommend BlueHost and SiteGround. Your host server will be where your website will reside. I suggest purchasing two to three years of service, as renewal fees will be higher than initial fees, and some are a lot higher.
3. Choose an Email Marketing Software Where You Will Grow Your Email List
I recommend and use ConvertKit. There are other email marketing software systems such as MailChimp, HubSpot, and MailerLite, to name a few. They all do pretty much the same, but only a few have a free option up to so many subscribers or a trial option.
4. Choose Your Brand Colors / Color Palette
Here is a great site for inspiration: https://visme.co/blog/logo-color-schemes/ You want to make sure your colors reflect your brand voice and message.
5. Choose Your Typography (2-3 Fonts Only)
This is a great place to start: https://tinyurl.com/6as34uxy. It will help you pair fonts that work together. You want to make sure to choose easy to read fonts that reflect your brand message (i.e., is your brand message feminine, or bold, or fun and sassy, etc.?)
6. Decide on and Create a Lead Magnet to Build Your Email List
The easiest way to build your email list is to create a great lead magnet that will attract your ideal client. Be sure to add it to your website home page and anywhere else on your website that fits with the content. You will want to start building your lists as early as possible.
7. Choose Your Website Logo
You can have a professional logo made, use your name, or you can create a free logo at logomakr.com or even on Canva. Make sure your logo is high quality and clear.
8. Will You Use Stock Images or Unique (Your Own) Photos?
If you will use stock photos, do you have rights to use them or will you ask your website designer to provide them for you? If you will use your own photos, now is the time to gather the photos you want to use, making sure they are high quality so they aren’t blurry on the website.
9. Start Drafting Copy for Each of Your Web Pages
If your website designer doesn’t provide content, now is the time to start drafting copy for your web pages – your home page, about page, services page, and optional FAQ page.
10. Gather Your Social Media Profile Links to Include for Social Media Icons
Collect your social media profile links for each of your platforms you will want to be linked on your website. Your website designer can place the social medial links in the footer of your website and contact page, and anywhere else you would like to direct your readers to join you on social media.
These are the 10 steps to prepare for a new website I recommend as a website designer. You’ll take a big step forward to launching your website if you have these 10 steps ready for your website designer and will make the process much quicker and stress-free for you.
About the Author
Sharon Blalock is an Expert Virtual Assistant® specializing in WordPress website design with Elementor and Divi theme layouts for professional coaches and consultants.
