Starting a new website can feel like a big project, especially if you've never been through the process before. The good news is that you don't need to have everything planned before reaching out to us. In fact, most of our clients come to us with a handful of ideas, a few questions, and maybe a list of websites they like. That's more than enough to get the conversation started.
There are, however, a few things you can do ahead of time that will make planning your website easier. You'll be better prepared, we'll have a clearer picture of your business, and together we'll create a website that's built around your goals.
Your domain name is often the first impression people have of your business online. Ideally, it should be easy to remember, easy to spell, and closely match your business name. Shorter is usually better, but don't sacrifice clarity just to save a few characters.
If you're still searching for the perfect domain, we recommend checking availability at Namecheap. It's one of the registrars we regularly recommend because it's straightforward, affordable, and makes managing your domain easy. They also give you privacy protection free of charge which is a huge plus!
If you already own a domain, that's great too. We can help connect it to your new website and make sure everything is configured correctly.
One of the most valuable things you can bring to a website project isn't a logo or a color palette. It's inspiration.
Spend some time browsing websites and save the ones that catch your attention. They don't have to be competitors or even businesses in your industry. In fact, some of the best ideas come from companies that solve completely different problems.
Maybe you like the clean layout of Apple, the beautiful photography on Airbnb, or the way Stripe explains complex topics with simple graphics. Perhaps it's the navigation on your favorite local restaurant's website or the personality of a coffee shop halfway across the country.
Don't worry about explaining why you like a website. We'll help identify the common themes and use those ideas to create something that's unique to your business rather than copying someone else's.
Before anyone designs a homepage or chooses colors, it's worth thinking about what visitors are coming to your website to find.
Most businesses need a Home page, an About page, a Services page, and a Contact page. You might also benefit from a gallery, portfolio, testimonials, FAQs, blog, or online booking system depending on your business.
It's also helpful to think about the questions customers ask every day. If people regularly call to ask about your services, pricing, service area, or business hours, your website should answer those questions before they even pick up the phone. A good website saves your visitors time while saving you from answering the same questions over and over again.
You probably already have more content than you realize. Gather your logo, photos, customer testimonials, service descriptions, brochures, business cards, or anything else that tells your story. Even if it's scattered across your computer, Facebook page, or phone, it's a great starting point.
Don't worry if your content isn't polished. Most of our clients aren't professional writers, and they shouldn't have to be. We can help organize your information, improve your copy, and make sure everything works together to tell a clear story.
A website shouldn't just look good. It should help your business.
Think about what you'd like your website to accomplish. Maybe you want more phone calls, more quote requests, online bookings, or fewer repetitive customer questions. Every business has different goals, and your website should be designed to support them.
We also encourage clients to think about the tools that connect with their website. Contact forms, appointment scheduling, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, email marketing, payment processing, and automation can all save time and make running your business easier. Building these features into your website from the beginning often creates a better experience for both you and your customers.
One of the biggest misconceptions about building a website is that you need to have every page written and every image selected before contacting a web designer. That's simply not true.
Our job is to guide you through the process, ask the questions you may not have considered, and help organize your ideas into a website that's both attractive and effective. We've helped businesses at every stage, from brand-new startups to established companies ready for a complete redesign.
Whether you're launching your first website or replacing one that's no longer doing your business justice, we'd love to help.
At RecMe, we build fast, modern websites that are designed around your business goals. We take care of everything from planning and development to hosting, maintenance, search engine optimization, and the business tools that help your website work harder for you.
If you're ready to get started, contact us today. We'll answer your questions, talk through your ideas, and help you create a website you'll be proud to share.
Ready to start organizing your ideas?
Our free Website Planning Workbook will help you gather your content, define your goals, and prepare for a smooth website project. Whether you're building your first website or redesigning an existing one, it's a simple way to get everything in one place before we get started.
Choose the version that works best for you.
Prefer pen and paper? Download the printable version with plenty of space to jot down ideas, sketch page layouts, and make notes as inspiration strikes.
→ Download the Printable Workbook (PDF)
Want to type your answers instead? Our interactive fillable PDF lets you complete the workbook on your computer, save your progress, and easily email it to the RecMe team when you're ready to start your project.
→ Download the Fillable Workbook (PDF)
Once you've completed your workbook, simply send it to us. It gives us a great understanding of your business, helps us hit the ground running, and makes the entire website process faster and more enjoyable.
Not necessarily. If you've already found the perfect domain, it's a good idea to register it before someone else does. If you're still deciding, we're happy to help you choose a domain name that fits your business and is easy for customers to remember.
Not at all. Most people don't. Bringing us a few websites you like gives us a great starting point, even if they're completely unrelated to your industry.
That's completely normal. We can help organize your information, improve your content, and identify anything that's missing before your website launches.
Every project is different, but most small business websites are completed within a few weeks once we've received your content and approvals.
Absolutely. Every website we build is fully responsive and designed to provide an excellent experience on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Yes. We provide maintenance, updates, security monitoring, backups, and ongoing support. We're here long after your website goes live.
