We’ve been creating websites for organisations since 2006. Over time, we’ve developed a checklist to help you get started with your digital project.
1. Make Time
Creating a successful website requires collaboration. We know you have a business to run, but so do we. If you don’t have time to commit to the project, consider delegating it to someone who does. This helps ensure the website is completed efficiently and without delays.
2. Strategy and Planning
One of the main reasons a project fails is lack of planning. Before starting, define these key elements:
- WHO – Identify your target audience and how they interact online.
- WHAT – Define your goals and how you’ll measure success.
- HOW – Plan how best to communicate with your audience to achieve those goals.
A strong strategy ensures your website works for you, not just acts as an online placeholder.
3. Set a Budget
Your website should be seen as an investment. A well-designed digital presence can support your organisation long-term. We follow a structured approach to deliver custom solutions that offer good value and a positive return. We also offer ongoing support after launch, some of our clients have been with us for over a decade.
4. Establish Your Business Identity
Your business identity is more than just a name and logo. It influences how customers perceive your brand. Key steps include:
- Registering a business name and obtaining an ABN/ACN.
- Securing a domain name that matches your brand.
- Setting up professional email accounts.
- Claiming social media handles early to protect your brand identity.
5. Artwork, Content & Images
A strong website requires clear branding, high-quality content and engaging visuals.
Artwork
- Develop a logo and branding that reflects your organisation.
- Organise business stationery, signage and marketing materials.
- Research design ideas and competitor websites.
Content
Your website content should clearly communicate your value and be SEO-friendly. Consider:
- What key points to highlight on the home page.
- How your About page builds credibility and trust.
- Clear descriptions of products and services.
- Testimonials, case studies and reviews.
- Contact details that are easy to find.
It matters that you provide as much content as possible at the start of the project, since this shapes how the site gets planned. A client might initially ask for “a Services page,” so the site gets planned around one page, and then twenty pages of content arrive. Content can always be restructured, but restructuring can add delays and cost. Providing content early helps avoid this.
Images
A professional website needs high-quality visuals. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and online that’s especially true.
- Aim for at least one high-quality image per page.
- Consider professional photography or high-resolution stock images. Poor-quality smartphone photos are one of the fastest ways to make an otherwise good website look unprofessional.
- AI images can be generated, but be sure to adequately train AI to reflect your organisation before relying on this. If you don’t teach AI about you, all of your AI images will look like everyone else’s.
6. Build for Search, and Plan Your Marketing
SEO helps search engines find your website, and structured content improves visibility in AI-powered search tools too. Getting this right from the start makes a significant difference to how easily people find you. Before creating content, it’s worth being clear on what outcomes you want from your digital presence, and how the website fits into your broader marketing strategy, rather than treating search and marketing as an afterthought once the site is built.
7. Develop a Social Media Strategy
Social media should be intentional, not random. Choose platforms that support your goals and plan how to engage your audience effectively. See our social media marketing FAQ for more detail.
