Why Materials Matter
Missing copy, an unclear structure or unusable photos can delay design and development. Agree who prepares and approves each item and when it is due. Technical issues can also cause delays; ready materials do not remove every risk.
I've prepared a checklist to help you have everything ready before I start working. (If you're still choosing a supplier, take a look at my 10 questions you should ask every web agency.)
1. Logo and Visual Identity
What I Need
- Logo in vector format (SVG or AI), not a JPG from Facebook
- Color palette, primary, secondary, accent. Ideally HEX codes
- Fonts, if you have a corporate font, send me the files or name
Don't Have a Logo?
No problem, I'll design one. But it's good to know upfront because web design builds on visual identity. Identity and website can be designed together; agree how they connect. More on why this matters in Why Invest in Branding.
2. Text (Copy)
This is the most common weak point. Most clients assume text will "just happen." It won't.
What I Need
Texts I need
- Brief company description who you are, what you do, for whom (2-3 sentences)
- Text for each subpage services, about us, references, contact
- USP (unique selling proposition) why the customer should choose you
- CTA (call to action) what the visitor should do: call, write, order
3. Photos and Images
What Works
- Company photos, real photos of team, office, products
- Portfolio, samples of your work, projects
- Product photos, enough views and details to evaluate the specific product
What Doesn't Work
- Stock photos of smiling models with laptops, looks fake
- Phone photos in bad lighting
- Word document screenshots
4. Website Structure
You don't need to draw wireframes. A simple list of pages you want is enough.
Typical Business Website Structure
Homepage
├── Services
│ ├── Service 1
│ ├── Service 2
│ └── Service 3
├── About Us
├── References / Portfolio
├── Blog (optional)
├── Pricing (optional)
└── Contact
5. References and Social Proof
Verifiable customer experience can help visitors make a decision. Prepare:
References and social proof
- Client logos with permission, in vector format
- Short testimonials 2-3 sentences from the client, name and company
- Numbers you can back up for example the number of completed projects or years in business
6. Access and Technical Details
If you're redesigning an existing website (and you're not sure whether it's already time, go through 7 signs your website needs a redesign):
Access and technical details
- Domain registrar access Wedos, Forpsi, Active24
- Current hosting access if I'm migrating content
- Google Analytics / Search Console to preserve data
- Email account list if on the domain
Timeline Estimate by Material Readiness
| Readiness | Website delivery |
|---|---|
| Everything ready (text, photos, logo, structure) | 2-3 weeks |
| Partial (logo and photos yes, text no) | 4-5 weeks |
| Nothing ready | 6-8 weeks |
The table is an illustrative schedule for a small business website, not a statistic or delivery promise. Scope, integrations, reviews and supplier capacity also affect the actual plan.
Summary, Checklist
- Logo in SVG/AI format
- Color palette (HEX codes)
- Corporate fonts and web-use permissions
- Text for each subpage
- USP and CTA
- Photos (team, office, products)
- References and client logos
- Website structure (page list)
- Domain and hosting access shared safely through invitations or a password manager
- Google Analytics / Search Console
Send me what you have, and I'll take care of the rest. Whether it's a business website, e-shop, or redesign, the better the materials, the faster and cheaper the project.
Additional preparation details
Write customer-facing copy with a concrete service, area and next step; do not promise doubled sales without evidence. Use short paragraphs and verifiable figures. Agree the copywriting scope separately. Supply high-quality original images with descriptive filenames; required dimensions depend on display size and crop, not a universal pixel minimum.
Confirm the required pages, languages, optional blog and who will edit the site. Prepare case studies only with substantiated scope and results. Share access through account invitations or a password manager, not in an ordinary email.