How to write
a website brief.

Start with the decisions that matter.

A useful website brief helps a designer understand your business and gives you a fair basis for comparing proposals. It does not need technical language or a long list of features. A clear email can be enough to begin.

Use the questions below to prepare a brief for a new business website or a redesign. If an answer is not decided yet, say so: it is better to identify a decision than to guess.

1. Explain the business and the customer.

Describe what you sell, the customers you want to attract and the places you serve. Include the services that matter most to the business and the questions customers usually ask before getting in touch.

For example, “We provide commercial cleaning for offices in Newcastle and want facilities managers to request a site visit” gives a designer more to work with than “We want a modern website”.

2. Choose the next step for visitors.

Decide whether you want people to email, call, request a quote or make a booking. If you need a form, list the information you actually use to respond. Ask how enquiries will reach you and who will check that they arrive.

A website can offer more than one contact option, but the main action should be easy to understand.

3. List pages and content.

Write a first list of pages: Home, Services, About and Contact are common starting points. Add separate services only where there is useful, distinct information to explain.

• Do you have a logo and agreed brand colours?
• Who will write or approve the words?
• Which images do you own or have permission to use?
• Do you have genuine work examples or approved customer feedback?
• Which existing page addresses need to stay available?

Share examples of websites you like and explain the specific things you find useful. This gives direction without asking someone to copy another business.

4. Separate essentials from later additions.

List any booking tools, payment features, CRM connections or other systems the website needs to use. Name the tools you already have. Separate features needed at launch from ideas that can wait.

If you want to update the website yourself, explain what you need to change and how often. Ask what access and handover are included.

5. Discuss budget, timing and ownership.

Give an honest budget range and any genuine deadline. Ask what is included in the build price and what costs recur: domain renewal, hosting, licences and ongoing support should be clear.

For a redesign, share the current website and any search or enquiry information you already have. Agree who controls the domain and hosting, and what happens to old page addresses when the new site launches.

Copy this into your enquiry.

Send your outline through our website enquiry page. You can also explore small business websites or our redesign service before you get in touch.