Website Launch Checklist: What to Prepare Before Contacting a Developer

Starting a website project without preparation is like building a house without blueprints. The project will take longer, cost more, and probably won't match your vision.

This checklist covers everything you should prepare before contacting a web developer. Being prepared means faster delivery, lower costs, and better results.

Phase 1: Business Foundation

Before thinking about the website itself, clarify your business basics.

Brand Assets

[ ] Logo in high resolution (PNG with transparent background ideal)
[ ] Logo variations (horizontal, stacked, icon only if available)
[ ] Brand colors (hex codes if you have them, e.g., #FF5733)
[ ] Preferred fonts (if you have brand guidelines)
[ ] Tagline or slogan (if applicable)

Business Documentation

[ ] Company profile (even a basic one helps)
[ ] List of services/products you want to feature
[ ] Pricing information (even ranges help)
[ ] Service areas (cities, regions you cover)

Phase 2: Content Preparation

Content takes the most time. Prepare this before the project starts.

About Your Business

Write rough drafts for:

[ ] Company history (2-3 paragraphs): When did you start? Why? What's your story?
[ ] Mission statement (1-2 sentences): What do you do and why?
[ ] Vision statement (1-2 sentences): Where are you heading?
[ ] What makes you different (3-5 bullet points): Why should customers choose you?

Services or Products

For each main service/product, prepare:

[ ] Name of service/product
[ ] Description (1-2 paragraphs)
[ ] Key features or benefits (3-5 bullet points)
[ ] Pricing (exact price, range, or "contact for quote")
[ ] Photos (see photography section below)

Team Information (if featuring team)

[ ] Names and titles of key team members
[ ] Brief bios (2-3 sentences each)
[ ] Professional headshots (consistent style preferred)
[ ] Contact information (if individual contacts are needed)

Testimonials and Social Proof

[ ] Customer testimonials (3-5 minimum)
[ ] Customer names and companies (with permission to use)
[ ] Customer photos (if available and permitted)
[ ] Case studies (if applicable)
[ ] Awards or certifications
[ ] Press mentions (if any)
[ ] Client logos (if B2B, with permission)

Phase 3: Visual Assets

Quality visuals make or break a website. Invest time here.

Photography Checklist

[ ] Product photos (multiple angles, high resolution)
[ ] Service photos (action shots of your work)
[ ] Team photos (professional, consistent style)
[ ] Office/location photos (if relevant)
[ ] Behind-the-scenes photos (adds authenticity)
[ ] Customer photos (if available, with permission)

Photography Tips

DO:

Use good lighting (natural light is often best)
Keep backgrounds clean and uncluttered
Use consistent style across photos
Shoot in high resolution (can always downsize)
Take more photos than you think you need

DON'T:

Use blurry or pixelated images
Use watermarked stock photos
Mix wildly different photo styles
Use personal selfies as professional photos
Forget to get permission for photos with people

Stock Photos (If Needed)

If you can't take original photos:

[ ] Research stock photo sites (Unsplash, Pexels for free; Shutterstock, iStock for premium)
[ ] Save links to photos that fit your brand
[ ] Check licensing requirements
[ ] Budget for premium stock if needed

Phase 4: Technical Requirements

Think through the technical aspects before starting.

Domain Name

[ ] Preferred domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.com)
[ ] Alternative options if first choice is taken
[ ] Check availability at registrars like Niagahoster, Domainesia, or Namecheap
[ ] Decide on extension (.com, .co.id, .id)

Domain Tips:

Keep it short and memorable
Avoid hyphens and numbers if possible
Match your business name when possible
.com is most recognized, .co.id is good for Indonesia-specific businesses

Email Setup

[ ] Decide on email format (e.g., info@, hello@, yourname@)
[ ] List email addresses needed
[ ] Decide who manages each inbox

Integrations

Consider what your website needs to connect with:

[ ] WhatsApp (click-to-chat integration)
[ ] Social media (links to profiles, embedded feeds)
[ ] Google Analytics (to track visitors)
[ ] Google Maps (to show your location)
[ ] Payment gateways (if selling online)
[ ] Booking systems (if taking appointments)
[ ] Email marketing (Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.)

Phase 5: Website Structure

Plan what pages you need and what goes on each.

Sitemap Planning

For a typical business website, consider:

Essential Pages:

[ ] Home: First impression, key messages, calls to action
[ ] About: Company story, team, values
[ ] Services/Products: What you offer
[ ] Contact: How to reach you

Additional Pages (if relevant):

[ ] Portfolio/Gallery: Examples of work
[ ] Testimonials: Customer reviews
[ ] FAQ: Common questions answered
[ ] Blog: Articles and updates
[ ] Pricing: Price lists or packages
[ ] Careers: Job openings

Page-by-Page Planning

For each page, note:

[ ] Purpose: Why does this page exist?
[ ] Key messages: What should visitors remember?
[ ] Call to action: What should visitors do next?
[ ] Content needed: Text, images, other media

Phase 6: Competitor Research

Understanding your market helps communicate your needs.

Competitor Websites to Study

List 3-5 competitor websites:

[ ] _______________________
[ ] _______________________
[ ] _______________________
[ ] _______________________
[ ] _______________________

For each, note:

[ ] What you like (design, features, content)
[ ] What you don't like
[ ] Features they have that you want
[ ] How you want to differentiate

Design Inspiration

Beyond competitors, collect examples of websites you like:

[ ] Save screenshots or links
[ ] Note what specifically appeals to you
[ ] Don't worry if they're from different industries

This helps developers understand your aesthetic preferences.

Phase 7: Budget and Timeline

Be realistic about resources.

Budget Considerations

[ ] Total budget range for initial development
[ ] Budget for ongoing costs (hosting, maintenance)
[ ] Budget for content (photography, copywriting if outsourcing)
[ ] Budget buffer for unexpected needs (10-20% recommended)

Timeline Planning

[ ] Ideal launch date (be realistic)
[ ] Any hard deadlines (events, campaigns)
[ ] Your availability for feedback and approvals
[ ] Peak busy seasons when you can't focus on the project

Phase 8: Post-Launch Planning

Think beyond launch day.

Content Updates

[ ] Who will update the website after launch?
[ ] What types of updates are expected (new products, blog posts)?
[ ] How often will updates be needed?
[ ] Do you need training on making updates yourself?

Maintenance

[ ] Who handles technical issues after launch?
[ ] Do you want a maintenance package from your developer?
[ ] What's your backup plan if something breaks?

Success Measurement

[ ] Define success: What does a successful website look like for you?
[ ] Key metrics: Inquiries? Calls? Sales?
[ ] How will you track if the website is working?

Summary Checklist

Use this quick reference to ensure you're ready:

Must Have Before Starting:

[ ] Business name, logo, contact information
[ ] List of services/products with descriptions
[ ] At least 5-10 quality photos
[ ] Domain name (purchased or decided)
[ ] Budget range determined

Nice to Have:

[ ] Full written content for all pages
[ ] Testimonials collected
[ ] Competitor research completed
[ ] Sitemap planned

Can Be Done During Project:

[ ] Final photo selection
[ ] Exact wording polish
[ ] Social media profile links
[ ] Analytics setup

Common Preparation Mistakes

Avoid these pitfalls:

Mistake 1: Expecting Developer to Write All Content

Developers build websites - they're not copywriters. Providing at least rough content speeds up your project significantly.

Mistake 2: Using Low-Quality Images

Nothing makes a website look unprofessional faster than blurry or poorly lit photos. Invest in quality images.

Mistake 3: Not Knowing Your Audience

"Everyone" is not a target audience. Know who you're trying to reach so the website speaks to them.

Mistake 4: Unrealistic Timelines

Good websites take time. Rush jobs result in poor quality or stress for everyone involved.

Mistake 5: No Clear Point of Contact

If multiple people give conflicting feedback, projects stall. Designate one decision-maker.

Final Thoughts

Preparation determines project success. The time you invest in this checklist will pay off through:

Faster development timeline
Lower overall costs
Better final product
Smoother working relationship with your developer

Don't feel pressured to complete everything perfectly before starting. But the more prepared you are, the better your results will be.

Have questions about preparing for your website project? Reach out via WhatsApp - we're happy to guide you through the process.