What to do Before Hiring a Website Designer (A No-Fluff Guide)

Let me paint you a picture: You've finally decided it's time for a new website. Your current site isn't doing your amazing work justice, and you're ready for something that actually helps you grow your business.

So you start reaching out to designers, and they're all asking you questions about integrations, functionality requirements, and technical specifications. Suddenly you're feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you should've done some homework before sending those inquiry emails.

Been there? I see it all the time. Most business owners jump straight into looking for a designer without having a clear picture of what they actually need. And honestly? That makes the whole process more stressful (and potentially more expensive) than it needs to be.

Before you start scrolling through designer portfolios or requesting quotes, let's talk about what you really need to know and do first. I've put together this guide to help you get clear on your website needs, so when you do reach out to designers, you're fully prepared to have productive conversations about your project.

Save yourself time (and stress) by working through these 5 steps before hiring a designer:

Track Your Current Website Frustrations

Here's a common story I hear from Studio clients: They've got a website that served its purpose back when they first started, but now? It's feeling stale, outdated, and definitely not aligned with where their business is heading. They know something's not clicking with their site, but can't quite put their finger on what needs to change.

Sound familiar?

Before we dive into dreaming up your shiny new site, let's get real about what's not working with your current one. This isn't just about having a prettier design (though that's always nice). It's about identifying specific issues that are holding your business back.

Start by jotting down what bugs you about your current site. I mean everything - from that popup that never quite works right to the fact that your best testimonials are buried three clicks deep. No frustration is too small to note.

And while we're talking frustrations, let's discuss your current platform. Whether you're on Squarespace, Shopify, Wix, WordPress, or something else entirely, how's that working out for you? Are you struggling to update your site without breaking something? Maybe you've outgrown your current platform's capabilities, or you're tired of fighting with a clunky editor every time you want to add a new blog post (looking at you, Wordpress 👀). These backend headaches are just as important to note as the client-facing issues.

Next, tune into what your audience is telling you. Are you getting the same questions over and over that should be answered clearly on your site? Have clients mentioned struggling to find your pricing? Maybe they've told you they almost didn't book because they couldn't figure out your process. These nuggets of feedback are pure gold for planning your new site.

Last but definitely not least, look at what's not working for your business goals. Are potential clients landing on your site but not booking calls? Finding yourself writing the same email responses that should be on your FAQ page? Spending too much time explaining your services instead of actually delivering them? Getting specific about these issues now will help us create a website that actually solves them.

Audit Your Business Systems

Let's talk about something that's not quite as fun as picking out website colors, but trust me, it's equally (actually, more!) important. What does your website actually need to DO for you and your clients?

You'd be surprised how many business owners come to me ready to dive into design, but haven't thought about the behind-the-scenes tools their website needs to play nice with. We're talking about all those systems that keep your business running smoothly.

Are you using Calendly or Acuity for scheduling discovery calls? Square, Stripe, or PayPal for processing payments? Maybe you're delivering courses through Kajabi or hosting a membership on Circle? Your website needs to work seamlessly with all of these.

Think about your client journey: From the moment someone lands on your site until they become a happy client, what systems need to be connected? This includes everything from your email marketing platform (hello, Flodesk!) to your client questionnaires and booking forms.

And here's something people often forget: automation. Are there parts of your client process that could be smoother with a bit of automation magic? Like automatically sending your welcome packet after someone books a call, or giving clients instant access to their portal after payment?

Make a list of all these systems—even the ones you're planning to add in the near future. Your web designer needs to know about these technical requirements upfront to help you choose the right platform and create a site that doesn't just look good, but actually makes your business run better.

Research Websites You Love

Time for the fun part! Before you start reaching out to designers, spend some time checking out other websites that catch your eye. And I don't just mean scrolling through Pinterest looking at pretty homepages (though that can be fun too).

I want you to put on your detective hat and really analyze what draws you to certain websites. Maybe it's the way a competitor's scheduling process feels effortless. Or how another brand's homepage immediately pulls you in with a story that resonates. Get specific about what you're loving.

Pay attention to how you move through these sites. Do you appreciate when the main navigation stays visible as you scroll? Love how the testimonials smoothly fade in as you move down the page? Notice how easily you can find the information you're looking for? These user experience details matter more than you might think.

Take screenshots and make notes about specific features that stand out. Maybe it's a sleek client portal, an intuitive booking process, or a resource library that's organized just right. Your designer wants to know about these functional elements you'd like to incorporate into your own site.

And yes, we can talk about design too! Notice which visual elements catch your attention - from font combinations to the way photos are displayed. But remember: the goal isn't to copy someone else's site. It's about identifying elements that could work well for your brand and your audience.

Keep a folder of these inspiration examples to share with your designer. This helps us determine not just the look you're after, but which website platform will work best for your needs. Not every website builder can create the same functionality - knowing what features matter most to you helps us choose the right platform from the start.

Just don't send us a link to your competitor's site with "I want this exact thing" (trust me, it happens more often than you'd think!). Instead, use these examples to communicate the feeling and functionality you're after.

Consider Your Timeline

Let's talk about something that most business owners prefer to gloss over: project timelines. I know you're excited to get your new site up and running (who isn't?), but having realistic timeline expectations before you start reaching out to designers will save you from a lot of stress down the road.

Are you planning a big program launch that needs the new site as a foundation? Preparing for a speaking engagement that'll drive traffic to your website? Working towards a rebrand reveal? Map out these key dates now.

Here's a reality check: our websites typically take 6-8 weeks to strategize, design and build—and that's assuming we're not waiting on content or feedback. Copywriting will typically take an additional 2-3 weeks. If you need your site done faster, that's possible, but it usually comes with a rush fee. Being upfront about your timeline helps us both plan accordingly.

Consider Your Budget

Time for everyone's favorite topic: money! I know it feels easier to just ask designers for their prices first, but having a general budget range in mind helps ensure you're talking to the right people from the start.

Remember, your investment goes beyond just the design fee. You'll need to factor in:

• Monthly platform costs (like Squarespace or Shopify)

• Any paid integrations or plugins you need

• Domain fees

• Ongoing maintenance or updates

And here's something people often forget to consider: what happens after launch? Will you need help with regular updates? Want someone on call for technical support? These ongoing costs should factor into your budget planning too.

Being realistic about your budget doesn't mean you need to have an exact number, but knowing if you're working with a $3k budget versus a $10k budget helps narrow down which designers and platforms are the right fit for your project.

Setting Yourself Up for Success

These five essential steps will save you time, money, and stress before you start looking for a website designer. I know it might feel like a lot of prep work, but trust me: this groundwork makes all the difference between a stressful project that drags on for months and a smooth process that delivers exactly what your business needs.

Taking time to document your current frustrations, audit your systems, gather inspiration, and get clear on your timeline and budget doesn't just help you find the right designer; it helps you get better results from your investment. When you come to the table prepared with this information, we can focus on creating solutions instead of spending weeks trying to figure out what you actually need.

Your website is more than just a pretty digital business card. It's a tool that should work hard for your business, make your life easier, and help you serve your clients better. Getting clear on these elements ensures you'll end up with exactly that!

Ready to create a strategic website that actually works for your business?

Let's start planning your project! Check out our Website Design services to learn more about working together.