Before you build a business website, write this.

Preview editorial draft · September 2026

A website project becomes easier to estimate when the goal, audience and essential tasks are clear. Start with a short brief before discussing colours or technology.

1. What must the website achieve?

Choose one primary outcome: qualified enquiries, direct sales, bookings or access to learning materials. “Look professional” is valuable but does not define what visitors should accomplish.

2. Who is it for?

Describe the audience, their main problem and the device they are likely to use. A student searching on a phone needs a different experience from an administrator managing records.

3. What must a visitor do?

List the essential actions, such as compare services, view a sample and submit an enquiry. Separate must-have features from later improvements.

4. What content already exists?

List your logo, photographs, service descriptions, documents and contact details. Identify who owns the material and who approves its publication.

5. What information will the site collect?

Request only what is needed. Decide who receives enquiries, how long information will be kept and how access will be managed. Obtain suitable privacy advice for your circumstances before launch.

6. Who maintains it?

Assign responsibility for updates, hosting, content review and responding to visitors. Include maintenance costs in the budget.

7. How will you judge success?

Use measurable outcomes such as completed enquiries or resource downloads. Review the quality of enquiries as well as their number.