At Underbelly, we specialize in website design and development, and we work closely with creative directors, marketing directors, and owners who are looking to bring their marketing efforts and websites to life. A topic we get asked, what should we know before starting this project? Some come with a pretty good idea of where they want to go, but sometimes you just don’t know where to start. This is a list we’ve put together for you so you can have some confidence in starting your next website project.
1. Define Clear Objectives
Before we even begin designing, it’s essential for both parties to understand what we are trying achieve with your website. Without a clear objective, the project can easily get derailed and move in many different directions, creating waste in time, budget and energy. Are you focused on lead generation, e-commerce sales, brand awareness, or something else? Having clear goals will guide every decision in the project and gives a north star to ensure the project is moving in the right direction.
2. Know Your Audience
Websites should be tailored to your target audience. We’ll need to consider who your audience is, what they value, and how they will use your site. Understanding this will help create a user experience that resonates and drives engagement.
3. Prioritize Mobile Experience
With over half of all web traffic coming from mobile devices, your website must be mobile-friendly. Design with a mobile-first approach to ensure that your site looks and works great on any device.
4. Optimize for Speed
Page load speed directly impacts user experience and search rankings. Prioritize optimized images, clean code, and efficient hosting to make sure your site is lightning-fast.
5. Ensure Your Brand Is Consistent
Your website is an extension of your brand. Make sure the design, tone, and messaging align perfectly with your existing brand identity.
6. Invest in Quality Content
Content is key. Your website’s design will shine when paired with high-quality, relevant content that tells your brand’s story. Stock photos and videos can be good, but custom is better. One way to make sure you don’t accidentally run into having the same photos as a competitor, is to create your own. Plan for a content strategy that includes engaging copy, visuals, and potentially even video before jumping into the redesign.
7. SEO Isn’t an Afterthought
Search engine optimization should be an integral part of your website from the very start. By incorporating SEO best practices during the planning phase—covering everything from metadata to site structure—aim to position your site for optimal rankings and strong organic traffic. A well-thought-out content strategy also plays a crucial role in setting up SEO effectively, ensuring your site is both discoverable and engaging for your audience.
8. Consider Your CMS Options
Choosing the right content management system (CMS) is critical for easy updates. Webflow is a great option for its flexibility and user-friendly interface, which allows you to manage content without needing to dive into code. But there are others that are great for a small businesses and for large companies.
9. Plan for Ongoing Maintenance
Websites are living entities that need regular updates and maintenance. They shouldn’t be created, launched and then left alone. If you team doesn’t have the capacity, we also offer ongoing support to ensure your site remains secure, up-to-date, and fully functional as your business evolves.
10. Set a Realistic Budget and Timeline
A successful website requires an investment of time and resources. This is where we work with you to create a realistic budget and timeline, so there are no surprises along the way.
By addressing these areas before starting your website project, you can ensure a smooth process and a final product that meets your business objectives. We’re here to guide you through each step, bringing expertise and insight to make your website a powerful tool for your team and for growth.
👋 If you think this approach could help you or your team, contact us about availability. We'd love to help you build your next website!