Let’s face it: planning a new website can feel like standing at the bottom of a very steep mountain—messaging, layout, fonts, design styles…it’s exhausting just thinking about it.

The good news? A great website partner (like Site Mender) can make the process MUCH easier. But just like building a new kitchen, it goes a lot smoother when you bring more than a vague idea. Would you tell a contractor “Just make it look nice” without showing them your Pinterest board? Exactly.

Too often, businesses dive into a website redesign without proper prep—leading to delays, confusion, and frustration. To help you avoid all that, here are five simple ways to get ready before you hand the reins to your web team.

1. Gather websites you like—and say why

Every web designer’s dream? A clear list of websites you admire. This gives us insight into your aesthetic, goals, and must-haves.

Start by bookmarking 6–10 websites you like. Then jot down why you like them. Is it the clean layout? The bold photography? The easy navigation? Fonts? Color palette? That one cool animation? Anything goes—just let us know what stands out.

Tip: Start with industry leaders or competitors, then branch out to other sectors for inspiration.

2. Start writing your content (yes, now)

This is the #1 bottleneck in nearly every website project: waiting on content. We can design a site quickly, but if there’s no words to put on it, everything grinds to a halt.

If you’re responsible for writing it, block off time early. If you’re relying on colleagues or subject matter experts, start bugging them today. Pro tip: You don’t need to write a novel. Clear, conversational copy always wins (and we can help refine it).

Need help getting started? Our maintenance and support services include content assistance too.

3. Know who you are—not just what you do

Yes, your website should list your services. But that’s just the beginning. The real magic comes from showing visitors who you are—your personality, values, team culture, and why you’re different.

Unless you’re an e-commerce website, most people aren’t visiting your website just to browse your selection. They’re looking for someone they can trust. Use design, messaging, and photography to express your brand identity, not just your offerings.

Want inspiration? Here’s a good primer on brand identity from Wikipedia.

4. Organize your design assets early

Photos, logos, videos, marketing materials—gather it all now. Waiting until the last minute to track down your logo in the right format (hi-res vector format, please) or book a photographer causes avoidable delays.

If you’re missing assets, schedule time to create or request them. Store everything in a shared folder like Google Drive or Dropbox so it’s easy to hand off to your web team.

5. Ask the big question: Why?

We hear it all the time: “I need a website.” Great! But why?

Is your current site outdated? Are you targeting a new audience? Launching a new product? Trying to improve your SEO? Without a clear goal, it’s hard to measure success.

Take time to define your purpose. Then work backward: What actions do you want visitors to take? What info will they need? This clarity helps us build something that actually works—not just something that looks good.

Ready to build something great?

At Site Mender, we’ve been helping companies of all sizes create and maintain websites since way before mobile-first was a thing. We’re here to guide you through the process and build a site that tells your story and meets your goals—without the overwhelm.

Let’s talk. Contact us today and let’s get started.