What to Prepare Before You Hire a Web Agency

You do not need a detailed specification to talk to an agency, but a little preparation goes a long way. It gets you a more accurate quote, and it makes the first conversation about your business rather than about the basics.

1. Your goal, in a sentence

"We want a new website" describes a thing. "We want more enquiries from companies in our city" describes a result, and a good team can work backwards from it. If you can name what success looks like, every later decision becomes easier.

2. Who the site is for

Describe your typical customer. What do they want to know before contacting you? What makes them hesitate? Your sales calls and customer emails are full of useful answers.

3. A list of must-haves and nice-to-haves

Split your ideas into what you need on launch day and what can come later. This keeps the first phase focused, and it gives you an easy way to adjust the scope if the budget is tight.

4. Examples you like, and why

Pick a few websites you admire and write one line on what works for you. It could be the layout, the tone or how quickly you found what you needed. The reason is often more useful than the example.

5. Your brand and content

• Your logo, in the best file format you have
• Brand colours and fonts, if you have them defined
• Photos you own the rights to use
• Existing text that can be reused

6. Access to your accounts

Find out who controls your domain, hosting and email. Tracking down a forgotten login can hold up a launch for days, so it is better to find it now. Make sure these accounts are in your company's name.

7. A realistic budget and timeline

Sharing a budget range is not giving away your negotiating position. It helps an agency suggest what is achievable, instead of proposing something you cannot use. If you have a real deadline, mention it and explain why it matters.

8. One decision maker

Choose one person who gathers feedback and has the final say. Projects slow down most when opinions arrive from several directions and no one can settle them.

Got most of this ready? Take a look at our services or send us an enquiry, and we will take it from there. Don't worry if you have gaps, because working through them together is part of the job.