Creating a website design brief is a crucial step in getting the website of your dreams. A well-thought-out brief provides clear instructions to your web designer and ensures that both parties are on the same page. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating a website design brief that will help your designer create a site that meets your objectives and exceeds your expectations.

Introduction

Before diving into the details, it’s essential to understand why a website design brief is necessary. A well-crafted brief serves as a roadmap for your web designer, providing them with an understanding of your vision, goals, and requirements for your website. This not only saves time and effort, but it also ensures that you and your designer are working towards the same goal, resulting in a more successful outcome for your project.

This guide is broken down into sections that cover various aspects of a website design brief. We’ll discuss the importance of each section and provide examples to help you craft the perfect brief for your project. By following this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating a website design brief that will set your web designer up for success and ultimately lead to a stunning website that meets your needs and goals.

About your company

Begin your website design brief by providing some background information about your company. This will help your web designer gain an understanding of your business, which will inform their design decisions. Include the following information:

Company name and website address
A brief description of your company and its services/products
The age of your company (e.g., start-up, established for 20+ years)
Location and target market
Annual turnover (to give an idea of the scale of your operation)

Project objectives

Clearly outline the short and long-term goals for your website. These objectives will serve as a guide for your designer and help them create a site that aligns with your business goals. Some examples of project objectives might include:

Increasing conversion rates
Growing a specific area of your business
Improving brand awareness
Enhancing user experience

Target audience

Identify your target audience and provide as much information as possible about their demographics, interests, and online behavior. This will help your designer create a website that’s tailored to your audience’s preferences, increasing the chances of success. Consider the following:

Age range
Gender
Location
Interests/hobbies
Online habits (e.g., social media usage, preferred websites)

Current website (if applicable)

If you already have a website, provide a link and discuss what you like and dislike about the current design. This will give your designer a better understanding of your preferences and the areas that need improvement. Consider the following:

Design elements you want to keep or discard
User experience issues
Content or features that are missing or outdated

Competitor and inspiration websites

Provide examples of websites that you admire or that offer similar services/features to your own. This will help your designer get a sense of your preferences and desired outcome.

Be sure to explain what you like and dislike about each example.

Logo design & branding

Discuss your existing logo and branding guidelines (if applicable) or your needs for a new logo and branding materials. This will help your designer create a cohesive website design that aligns with your brand identity. Consider the following:

Existing logo and brand guidelines
Desired logo and branding updates or changes
New logo and branding requirements (for start-ups)

Content requirements

Address your content needs, including text, images, videos, and graphics. Specify whether you will provide the content or if you require your designer to create it for you. Consider the following:

Amount and type of content needed
Content writing services (if needed)
Image, video, and graphic sourcing or creation

Technical functionality requirements

Detail any specific technical features or functionality that your website needs to include. This will help your designer understand the scope of the project and ensure they can deliver a site that meets your requirements. Examples of technical functionality may include:

Blog or newsfeed
Social media integration
Online booking system
Account registration
eCommerce features
API integration

Future plans, budget, and deadline

Finally, address your plans for the future of your website, your project budget, and any deadlines you have in mind. This information will help your designer plan accordingly and ensure your website is built with future growth in mind.

Future features or updates you plan to implement
Your project budget
Any crucial deadlines for project milestones or completion

Conclusion

By following this guide, you’ll be able to create a detailed and effective website design brief that will set your web designer up for success. Remember, this brief serves as the foundation for your project, so it’s essential to invest time and effort in crafting an informative and clear document. With a well-prepared brief in hand, you’ll be one step closer to achieving a stunning website that meets your goals and exceeds your expectations.

If you’re ready to embark on a website design project and are seeking an experienced agency to bring your vision to life, simply complete our web design questionnaire. Our team of skilled designers and developers will work with you to create a website that not only looks fantastic but also drives results for your business.