Do these 5 things before hiring a website designer
If you’re reading this you’re probably feeling ready for a new website. Maybe even overdue 😏
Your website is like your digital home base and when it feels off, outdated, or inaccurate you might not feel proud of your work and excited to share it. But really, your website is the central pillar of all your marketing and communications. Your website builds credibility and trust and legitimizes your work.
I’m going to tell you everything you need to get ready for your website, BEFORE working with a website designer ↓
Establish your Branding
Your brand is made up of many elements from the tone of voice you use when you answer a comment on social media, to the colors we use while designing your website. It’s helpful to have a full brand identity including your brand’s personality, values, and key messages in place before starting your website design project. At a minimum, you need to have your brand’s visual identity solidified. Your visual identity includes your brand’s fonts, color palette, and logo(s). It could also include custom illustrations, patterns, and styles of photography or shapes you use in your brand.
If you don’t have your branding figured out, your website designer has nothing to go on when designing your site and it might not end up with a look and feel that is true to you. We need your brand’s visual identity to set the vibe for the site.
At minimum: have two brand fonts and four brand colors to share with your website designer.
Investment: I offer branding packages that range from $3,900 to $9,900 CAD.
Work with a Brand Photographer
You will need to provide your website designer with photos that represent your brand.
You might be wondering if you can just use stock photos, but people can spot stock photography from a mile away and it can make your site look generic. Your website designer may be able to help source some stock photography that fits reasonably well with your brand, but for the best results on your website, you should really invest in photography of your actual organization or business.
You want people to get to know you and what you do through your website. Having high-quality images of yourself, your team, and your workplace on your website helps to build trust and allows visitors of your site to envision working with you.
When working with your photographer, I suggest getting more than just simple headshots. Depending on your industry and area of work, you might try getting some shots of you working with a client, having a meeting with your team, you presenting to a group, and some shots from around your workspace that show your unique perspective or way of doing things. These photos will help create a great site that really represents you.
At minimum: have 10 professional photos to share with your website designer.
Investment: you can generally expect to pay between $400 and $2,000 CAD for brand photography depending on who you work with.
Create Your Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
Possibly the least sexy parts of your website, but the most legally required: your privacy policy and terms of use. Digital privacy laws vary from country to country but you are expected to comply with them because someone in that country could be accessing your site. In Canada the law governing this is called PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) and it requires you to be transparent about what personal data you collect, why you collect it, and how you store it.
You can hire a lawyer to develop these policies for you, or the more affordable route is to purchase a template from a lawyer and customize it yourself. I recommend purchasing your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use templates from Contracts Market because I love to support another Canadian women-owned business (I am also an affiliate with Contracts Market so I make a small commission if you make a purchase).
At minimum: use a template to create your Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Investment: The Website Terms & Privacy Policy bundle from Contracts Market is $197 CAD.
Write your Website Copy
If you haven’t worked with a website designer before you might be surprised to know that designers typically don’t write the words on your site. In the marketing world we call the words/text on your website “copy”. In some cases, website designers may offer copy writing services as well, or they may partner with a copy writer to help write your website copy.
In most cases, you have two options. You can either write your own website copy, or you can hire a professional copy writer. I also help you with a middle ground, I’ve purchased a website copy writing template from Between the Lines Copy and I provide it to you for no extra charge when you work with me as your website designer. The template helps guide you through the copy writing process and what to include on each standard page of your site.
You may also want to engage an SEO (search engine optimization) expert at this stage, or in some cases your copy writer may offer SEO services as well. SEO services are worth exploring if being found through search engines or AI-powered search systems is a top priority for you and your website.
Good copy is foundational to your website. A great design can’t make up for poorly written copy so don’t miss this important step of creating your website. It’s also important to have the copy ready before the website design begins because the design works around the amount of copy you have.
At minimum: write your own website copy.
Investment: website copy writing services depend on the number of pages on your site but can range from $1,500 to $15,000 CAD.
Define your Budget and Timeline
Once you’ve got your branding solidified, your brand photography ready, your privacy policy and terms of use, and your website copy written, you’re almost ready to get started.
But first… you need to figure out your budget and timeline for the project. Knowing these two things will help you figure out who you want to work with to design your website. My website design services range from $3,900 to $9,900 CAD. There are designers who offer website design at lower price points and higher price points than me. You will need to check out some designer’s portfolios and vibes to see if they feel like a good fit for your project.
You will also need to consider your timeline. For example, do you need the website up in three months before a big program launch? Some designers may be available to start within a couple weeks and some designers may be booked out several months before they can even begin your project. Your timeline may factor into who you’re able to work with to design your website.
At minimum: have a budget range and timeline in mind when you start speaking with designers.
Of all the marketing channels in your business, your website is the main thing that establishes your credibility and it’s the channel you have the most control over. Social media algorithms can be fickle but your website is yours.
There’s a lot that goes into your website but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. Use this post to set your website project up for success.
If we haven’t met yet, hi — my name is Meghan Doucette and I’m The Brand & Website Designer for non-profits, social impact orgs and values-led businesses. I live by the sea in rural Nova Scotia with my partner, dog, and two cats.
I’ve been working with non-profits for 10+ years because I don’t really give a f*ck about selling products but I do give a f*ck about helping you make a bigger impact for people and the planet.
If you like my blog and want to stay in touch, here’s how:
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Check out my brand services. I create brand strategies and visual identities for non-profits, social impact orgs, and values-led businesses.
Check out my website design services. I create beautiful and functional Squarespace websites for non-profits, social impact orgs, and values-led businesses.
Check out The Lemonade Stand, my online shop where you can purchase templates, strategy calls, and other lower ticket services.
Read the rest of our blog, where my biz partner Emily and I share information about communications and marketing, branding, and website design for non-profits.
To get in touch you can send me a DM on Instagram, connect on LinkedIn, or send me an email at meghan@lemonadeco.ca
