What to Do in the 30 Days Before Hiring a Web Designer
Hiring a web designer is an exciting step for your business! But before your project begins, there are a few things you can do to make the process smoother, faster, and more successful. If you're planning to invest in a new website soon, here's what I recommend doing in the 30 days before hiring a web designer.
Get Clear on Your Business Goals
Before you start thinking about colors, fonts, or website layouts, think about what you actually need your website to do.
Your website should support your business goals, not just give you a place to exist online.
Ask yourself
What do I want my website to help me achieve?
Am I trying to book more clients?
Do I want to attract a different type of customer?
Am I launching a new offer?
Do I want to improve my credibility?
A website redesign is a great opportunity to create something that supports where your business is going, not just where it has been.
Define Your Ideal Client
Your website should be designed with a specific person in mind.
Before your project begins, spend some time thinking about your ideal client.
Consider
Who are they?
What are they struggling with?
What questions do they have before hiring someone?
What makes them choose one business over another?
What would make them feel confident working with you?
The more your designer understands your audience, the easier it is to create a website that connects with the right people.
Review Your Current Website (If You Have One)
Before replacing your website, take some time to evaluate what's currently working and what isn't.
Look through your existing pages and ask
What information is still accurate?
What feels outdated?
Which pages get the most traffic?
What questions do potential clients ask repeatedly?
What content should be removed or rewritten?
You don't always need to start completely from scratch.
Knowing what needs improvement helps your new website become more strategic.
Gather Your Brand Assets
Your website designer will need the visual pieces that represent your brand.
Start collecting things like
Your logo files
Brand colors
Fonts
Professional photos
Brand guidelines
Testimonials
Portfolio images
Social media links
Having these ready before your project starts helps keep everything moving.
It also gives your designer a better understanding of your brand style and personality.
Prepare Your Website Copy
Your website copy is one of the most important parts of your project.
A beautiful website with unclear messaging won't convert visitors into clients.
Before hiring a designer, start thinking about the content your website needs.
This may include
Homepage messaging
About page information
Service descriptions
Client testimonials
Frequently asked questions
Contact page details
Your designer can create a beautiful layout, but your words are what help visitors understand why they should work with you.
Decide Which Pages You Need
Not every business needs a huge website.
Before your project begins, think about which pages will best support your goals.
Many service-based businesses need pages like
Homepage
About page
Services page
Contact page
Blog or resources page
You may also need additional pages for things like
Multiple services
Portfolio examples
Lead magnets
Courses
Speaking
Case studies
Knowing your website structure ahead of time helps your designer create a stronger user experience.
Start Collecting Inspiration
Your website should feel unique to your business, but gathering inspiration can help communicate your preferences.
Create a collection of websites you love and take note of what stands out.
Ask yourself
Do I like minimal designs or something more colorful?
Do I prefer lots of white space or a more layered look?
What types of layouts feel easy to navigate?
What brands have a similar feeling to mine?
The goal isn't to copy another website.
It's to help your designer understand the style and experience you're drawn to.
Think About Your Website Functionality
Before your website is designed, consider any features you need.
For example
Contact forms
Social media links
Email newsletters
Portfolio galleries
Blogs
Making these decisions early helps your designer build a website that supports your business from the beginning.
Set Aside Time for the Project
Even when you hire a designer, your involvement matters.
A successful website project requires collaboration.
Before your start date, make sure you have time available for
Reviewing designs
Answering questions
Providing feedback
Making decisions
Your designer handles the strategy and design, but your knowledge of your business is an important part of creating the final result.
Choose a Designer Who Understands Your Goals
The right web designer does more than create something visually appealing.
They should understand your business, your audience, and what you want your website to accomplish.
Before hiring someone, consider
Does their style match my vision?
Do they understand strategy, not just aesthetics?
Do they make the process clear and organized?
Will they create something I can confidently share?
The best website projects happen when you choose a designer who understands both your brand and your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I hire a web designer?
It's a good idea to start planning several weeks or even a month or two before you need your website launched. This gives you time to choose the right designer, prepare your content, and make thoughtful decisions.
Do I need my website copy finished before hiring a designer?
Not always, but having your copy prepared before the design begins can make the process much smoother. Your words help guide the structure and layout of your website.
What information does a web designer need from me?
Most designers need information about your business, your audience, your services, your branding, your goals, and any features you want included on your website.
Final Thoughts
A successful website project starts before the design begins.
Taking time to prepare your goals, content, branding, and business strategy will help you get a website that doesn't just look beautiful but actually supports your growth.
The right designer will guide you through the process, but the stronger your foundation is, the better your final website will be.
If you're ready to invest in a website that reflects your business and helps you attract the right clients, my Website in a Week service is designed to help you launch a strategic Squarespace website without a drawn-out timeline. We'll create a website that's polished, intentional, and built to support your next stage of growth.