Write a useful
website brief.

Short notes are fine. If you do not know an answer, mark it for discussion. For a redesign, include the existing website address and say what already works.

1. Describe your customers and the next step

Who needs your service, and what are they trying to do when they visit? Choose the main action you want the website to support: request a quote, book an appointment or ask about a service. Explain what information makes a first enquiry useful to you.

Write down one practical problem to solve. “People cannot tell which areas we cover” gives more direction than “make it modern”. A clearer enquiry journey is a useful design goal.

2. List services and genuine coverage

List your main services in the language customers use. For each, note who it is for, common questions, any exclusions and whether it deserves a separate page. Add the towns or areas you actually serve and whether customers visit you or you travel to them.

For trades and home services, useful details include job types, coverage boundaries and the information needed for a quote. Do not copy a long list of places into the brief just because you would like to appear in searches there.

3. Map the contact or booking journey

Explain what happens after a customer contacts you. Do you call back, request photographs, arrange a visit or direct them to a booking tool? Name any existing provider and the features you already use. A link, an embedded calendar and a custom system have different requirements.

An appointment business website may need service duration and preparation details near its booking link. A professional services website may need a short explanation of the introductory conversation. Only request information you need at that stage.

4. Gather accurate content and real evidence

Collect your logo, brand colours, service descriptions, current prices where appropriate, approved photographs and contact details. Note which materials are ready, need editing or still need creating. Include genuine qualifications, permissioned work examples or approved reviews where available.

Use your own business details and confirm permission for people, properties and work shown in photographs. You supply and approve specialist claims and policies. Substantial copywriting and original photography are separate from standard page planning and editing guidance.

5. Explain what the existing website must keep

If you are redesigning, list pages customers use, important downloads, forms, domain names and services connected to the site. Share available search information when appropriate so useful pages can be considered before changing the structure.

Record who controls the domain, hosting and business email. Do not put passwords in an enquiry. Account access and any redirect or migration requirements can be arranged during the project; the website design process starts with reviewing the scope.

6. Set a budget and a realistic priority order

State your budget range, preferred launch date and why that date matters. Separate essentials from features that could wait. Name the person who approves the design and estimate when content and feedback will be ready.

Clearly Online’s guide builds are £400, £500 and from £600, with optional hosting and routine care at £49 a month. Read the website cost guide and package inclusions before choosing. Third-party charges, content work and features can affect the final quote.

7. Decide how you want to look after the site

Who will change prices, add photographs or update service details after launch? List the edits you expect and how often. An agreed editing system and someone else making changes for you are different arrangements.

Say whether you want your own compatible host or Clearly Online hosting and care. Ask for the support hours, backup arrangements, ongoing costs and handover responsibilities in the written proposal.

An example brief to adapt

Illustrative example only. This describes an imagined project, not a Clearly Online client or completed website.

Send the useful starting points

You can begin with your services, area, existing website, budget and main problem to solve. Prepare an email enquiry, then review and send it from your email app. The next step is a conversation and written scope, so unclear details can be worked through before work begins.