If you’re starting a website project, you probably want to ask your web designer about cost, timeline, and what platform they’ll use. But your designer will ask you questions first. They need to understand your business goals, who your customers are, and what you want your website to do.
You might be surprised by how many questions they ask, but this is standard practice for web design firms. They’ve learned that websites built on assumptions usually miss the mark. Professional designers would rather spend time upfront understanding your business than rebuilding your site six months later.
So what can you expect during these discovery conversations? Here are the most common questions web designers ask—or should ask.
What Are Your Business Goals?
This is usually the first question a designer asks. They need to know why your website exists before they start building it. Are you launching a new business? Trying to get more customers? Selling products online?
Your answer affects everything about the design. If you want to generate leads, your designer will focus on contact forms and clear calls-to-action. If you’re selling products, they’ll prioritize shopping features and mobile-friendly checkout.
The clearer you can explain what you want your website to accomplish, the better your designer can build something that actually helps your business grow.
Who Is Your Target Audience?
You might know your customers well, but your web designer doesn’t. They need to understand who visits your site so they can design it the right way. Are you targeting busy professionals who want quick answers? Or first-time customers who need more explanation and guidance?
The more you can tell your designer about your audience, the better they can build your site. If most of your customers are older and use computers, the design should be simple and easy to read. If you’re targeting younger people on phones, the site needs to be fast and visually engaging.
When your designer understands your visitors, they can create an experience that feels right for them. This makes it more likely that visitors will become customers.
What Do You Want Your Users to Do?
This question is all about calls-to-action (CTAs). What’s the next step you want your visitors to take after landing on your site? Do you want them to schedule a consultation, sign up for a newsletter, purchase a product, or explore a portfolio?
You may be tempted to say “all of the above,” but clear, focused CTAs are more effective. Your designer will ask you to prioritize actions so the site can be structured accordingly. If you’re unsure, they might walk you through user journey mapping to help clarify what steps people should take on each page.
For example, a service-based business might lead users from the homepage to a services overview, then to a contact form. An online retailer would want to streamline navigation toward product categories and checkout. Understanding your desired user flow allows the designer to build intuitive pathways that reduce friction and increase conversions.
What Features Do You Need?
Your designer will ask what you want your website to do. Do you need a blog, online store, booking forms, member login, or connections to other software? Do you want animations or interactive elements?
Some features can expand your project quite a bit, so being specific helps. You don’t need to know technical terms. Just tell them what you want the website to do, and your designer can figure out the right tools to make it happen.
If you’re not sure what you need, your designer might suggest things based on your business. For instance, if you run events, they may suggest a calendar system or RSVP forms. Professional designers don’t just build what you ask for. They help you figure out what makes sense for your customers.
What Content Do You Already Have?
Many business owners assume content will come together naturally during the design process, but in reality, content is one of the biggest project roadblocks. Your designer will want to know upfront: do you already have copy written? Do you have brand photography or video? Will you be providing product descriptions, testimonials, or blog posts?
If you don’t have content yet, that’s okay. Just be ready to explain how you plan to handle it. Your designer needs to know whether you’ll write the copy yourself, hire a copywriter, or need help finding one. They also need to factor content creation time into your project timeline.
Do You Have an Existing Brand Style or Guidelines?
If you’ve been in business for a while, you probably have some kind of brand look already. Your designer will want to see your logo, know your brand colors, and understand what fonts or styles you use. This helps them create a website that feels like part of your existing brand instead of something completely different.
If you’re just starting out and don’t have brand guidelines yet, don’t worry. Your designer can help you figure this out as part of the website project. They might even create some basic brand elements for you.
The goal is making sure everything looks connected. When someone sees your business card then visits your website, it should feel like the same company.
What Is Your Timeline and Budget?
Your designer needs to know two things upfront: when you need your website done and how much you want to spend. These conversations are necessary for planning a realistic project.
Be upfront about both. If you have a specific launch date because of an event or product release, say so from the beginning. If you have a tight budget, that’s fine too. Your designer can work within your constraints by focusing on essential features first and adding more later.
Website costs vary widely depending on what you need. A simple business site might cost a few thousand dollars, while a complex online store could run much higher. When you’re comparing different designers, look at what’s included in each quote. The cheapest option isn’t always the best value if it doesn’t include everything you need.
Be Prepared to Collaborate
Now that you know what questions to expect, you can prepare your answers before meeting with designers. Think through your business goals, target customers, and what you want your website to accomplish.
Whether you’re working with a custom web design company or a freelance designer, having clear answers helps your project run smoothly and ensures you get a website that works for your business.
Ready to get started? Contact our team of local web designers in Salt Lake City.