A better website starts before the first design.

Start with the job of the website

Decide what the website needs to help people do. A service business may prioritise qualified enquiries; a portfolio may need to explain expertise. Make the primary action clear before choosing layouts.

Understand your visitor’s questions

List the questions a potential customer asks before contacting you: what you do, who it is for, how the process works and how to take the next step. Use those questions to shape your pages.

Prepare the content early

Gather accurate service descriptions, approved imagery, business contact details and any evidence you have permission to publish. Good content helps the design solve real problems.

Keep the journey simple

Use clear navigation, descriptive headings and useful calls to action. Test your enquiry process on a phone, where small usability problems can become much more noticeable.

Plan for the day after launch

Agree who will update content, maintain the website and review its performance. A website is an ongoing business asset, so ownership and maintenance should be part of the plan.

General guidance; the appropriate approach depends on your business, audience and website.