The questions to answer before a new website moves into design. A focused plan starts with the business problem, the people involved and a practical way to measure progress.
Decide what the website needs to accomplish
Different audiences need different paths. Clarify whether the priority is inquiries, bookings, purchases, product education, or recruiting.
Map the primary user journeys
Identify what visitors need to know, the objections they may have, and the simplest path to action. Clear navigation is more valuable than visual complexity.
Treat content as part of the design
Plan headlines, service descriptions, proof, visuals, and calls to action alongside wireframes rather than adding text after the pages are built.
Build for performance and inclusion
Use responsive layouts, semantic headings, accessible controls, compressed imagery, and clear contrast. Test across devices and slow connections.
Plan for the site after launch
Decide who owns updates, where inquiries go, how performance is measured, and what can be improved based on visitor behavior.