At Ellipsis Marketing, we often meet local small business owners who want a new website — something fresh, professional, and uniquely theirs. Many assume it’s a simple process, like filling in the blanks of a cookie-cutter template. But as we dive deeper, we often discover they want something more meaningful — a digital presence that reflects their brand, voice, and vision.

That kind of website doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning, clarity, and the correct input from you, the business owner.

To make the journey easier, we’ve created a 10-point checklist that outlines everything you should have ready before we start building your dream website. And if you’re looking for a streamlined way to launch a professionally crafted site, check out our website program

Let’s dive in.

1. Business Name

It might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often this gets missed or miscommunicated.

We need the official name of your business exactly how you’d like it to appear across your website — in the header, footer, contact page, and anywhere your brand is represented. If you have variations (like LLC, Inc., or a shorter trading name), let us know which to use where.

2. Business Description

Let us know what your business does in simple, clear language. What products or services do you offer? What makes your business unique in your local area or industry?

This foundational content helps us build your homepage, “About Us” page, and service/product descriptions. It also ensures we use the right keywords to optimize your site for search engines — so the right customers can find you.

3. Business Goals

What do you want your website to do for your business?

Are you aiming to:

• Increase local visibility?
• Sell products online?
• Capture leads or inquiries?
• Allow customers to book appointments?
• Showcase your portfolio or testimonials?

Knowing your primary goals helps us strategically design and structure your site — with features, layouts, and content that drive results.

4. Logo and Branding Materials

Your brand identity is what makes your business memorable and trustworthy. If you have a logo, brand color palette, preferred fonts, or a brand guide, please share it with us upfront.

If you don’t have these yet, we can help you develop them as part of the website project — but it’s best to start with a clear idea of how you want your brand to look and feel.

Remember: a well-branded website sets the tone for everything — from visual design to the customer experience.

5. Website Examples You Like

Sometimes, sharing websites you admire is the easiest way to show us what you envision.

These could be from your industry or completely unrelated — what matters is the feeling, layout, or functionality that speaks to you.

Tell us what you like about them:

• The color scheme?
• Clean navigation?
• Product display?
• Booking system?
• Bold visuals?

This gives us direction, so we’re not guessing what “modern” or “simple” means to you.

6. Key Business Operations

What are the essential services or functions should be featured on your website?

Depending on your business, this could include:

• Online orders
• Appointment booking
• Event registrations
• Service listings
• Membership portals
• Quote request forms
• Live chat

Understanding how your business operates helps us build the right tools for your site — tools that save you time and serve your customers better.

7. Customer Profile

Who is your ideal customer?

Tell us about your target audience — their age, gender, profession, location, lifestyle, and what problems they’re trying to solve when they come to you.

Designing a site for young tech-savvy users looks very different from one for retirees or busy parents. Knowing your audience, we can tailor the tone, style, and layout to speak directly to them.

8. Existing Content

Do you have any existing content that should go on the new website?

This could include:

• High-resolution photos or product images
• Service or product descriptions
• Team bios
• Business History
• Customer testimonials
• Blog posts or articles
• Videos or downloadable brochures

Providing this content upfront makes the process smoother — and helps us avoid delays. Don’t worry if you’re not a writer — we can help polish or create content that fits your goals.

9. Preferred Contact Details

How should customers get in touch with you?

We’ll need:

• Phone number(s)
• Email address(es)
• Physical business address (if applicable)
• Business hours
• Social media profiles
• Google Maps link (for local SEO)

We’ll include this information in key places: the footer, contact page, and potentially in call-to-action buttons across the site. This makes it easy for customers to reach you wherever they are on your site.

10. Budget and Timeline

Let’s talk logistics.

• Budget: Having a clear idea of your budget range helps us propose a solution that fits — whether it’s a basic informational site or a full-featured eCommerce platform.
• Timeline: Do you have a target launch date? Are you planning a grand opening, a product launch, or a rebranding campaign tied to the new site?

Knowing these details helps us create a realistic timeline and set milestones. At Ellipsis Marketing, we’re committed to delivering on time — and within scope.

If you’re just starting and looking for budget-friendly options without compromising quality, our website programs are a great place to begin:

Final Thoughts

Launching a custom website isn’t just about good design — it’s about building a powerful digital platform that helps your business grow, communicate, and convert.

At Ellipsis Marketing, we take a collaborative approach to web design. We believe the best results come from blending our expertise with your vision. This 10-point checklist ensures we start on the right foot — with clarity, alignment, and all the right building blocks.

The more information you provide upfront, the smoother and faster the process. Plus, you’ll walk away with a site that doesn’t just look great — it works great, too.

So, whether starting from scratch or redesigning an outdated site, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Let’s build something extraordinary — together.

Ready to get started? Explore our small-business-friendly website packages