Do This Before Hiring Someone to Build Your Website
Save time, money, and stress by preparing these 3 must-haves first—or discover a shortcut if you’re more of a visual-first thinker.
When you’re ready to invest in a website, the excitement is real.
Some may want to skip straight to the design without laying the groundwork first.
To help your project flow smoothly and avoid the “back-and-forth spiral,” there are three key things you need to have ready before hiring a designer.
That said… I know not everyone works the same way. If you’re someone who needs to see a layout before you can start writing copy, don’t worry—I’ve got a shortcut for you too (keep reading).
Clear Goals & Objectives
What do you want your website to do?
Before a single layout is sketched or a button is placed, your designer needs to know the function and purpose of your site.
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Are you trying to book discovery calls?
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Sell products or digital downloads?
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Showcase your portfolio?
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Build your email list?
When you’re clear on the goals, your designer can map out a strategy-driven design—not just something that looks pretty.
Pro tip: Don’t just say “I want a website.” Say, “I want a website that helps me grow my email list and book more coaching calls.” That’s the kind of clarity that makes everything easier.
Website Content
Yes—this means having your words ready.
Think: your homepage headline, service descriptions, about section, and call-to-action buttons.
In most cases, content guides the layout—not the other way around. It tells your designer what needs to be on the page and what the design should support. Skipping this step often leads to extra revisions, misalignment, or delays.
That said, some people need to see a layout first before the words start flowing—and that’s okay. If you’re a visual-first thinker, using a website template can give you the structure and clarity you need to write your content with ease.
Whether you’re writing from scratch or using a layout to guide you, the goal is the same: get your content clear and ready to go before the build begins..
Branding Essentials
You don’t need a massive brand guide—but you do need the basics:
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Logo (or at least a clear wordmark)
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Brand colors
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Font choices
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A general mood or style you want to convey (playful, minimalist, earthy, bold, etc.)
These assets keep your website consistent with your overall business identity. They’re what make people say “This feels like you.”
If you don’t have these yet, talk to your designer first—some offer branding packages before diving into web design.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a web designer is a smart investment. But jumping in before you’re ready can lead to delays, miscommunication, and wasted time.
When you show up with clear goals, polished content, and branding assets in hand, you’re not just “ready”—you’re setting the entire project up for success.
That said, I know some people prefer to do it the other way around. They want to see a design first and then shape their copy around the layout. And honestly? I get it.
If that sounds like you—and you’re a health coach—I’ve created a website template that’s designed exactly for this.
It’s built to help you visualize your website and guide your content writing, so you’re not staring at a blank page wondering where to begin. The layout is streamlined to support your client journey, guide visitors through your content, and make it easy for them to take the next step—whether that’s booking a discovery call or sending you a message.
You can fully customize the template in Canva. And once your content is ready, you can hand it off to a designer to build it in WordPress or Showit.
Need help with that part too? I’ve got you.
Need help building your website?
I offer website services for solopreneurs and coaches.
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