How to Prepare for a Website Build
So you’ve decided it’s time for a website redesign (or maybe your first one) - exciting! But before jumping into design and development, there are a few key assets that will make the process smoother, faster, and more effective, while avoiding scope creep. Having these ready ensures your designer can build a site that not only looks great, but also works strategically for your business.
At Sole Studio Media & Design, we create custom Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress websites tailored to each client’s goals. Whether you’re a small business in Vancouver or a growing brand across Canada, these are the essentials you’ll want to have in place.
One. Logo & Branding
Your logo & branding is the anchor of your visual identity. It sets the tone for your website’s look and feel - from colours and fonts to overall style. If you don’t have branding yet, that’s okay. Many of our website design projects start with a brand refresh or new logo design so everything feels cohesive from the ground up. Be sure to have all of your logo files + any existing branding prepared to be sent over to your designer.
Two. Photography (Professional or Stock)
High-quality visuals immediately elevate your website. Whether it’s product photos, headshots, or lifestyle imagery, strong photography makes your business look more credible and approachable. And if you don’t have any, don’t worry! At Sole Studio, we provide professional photography for your website.
If professional photography isn’t in the budget right now that’s totally understandable, and stock images can be a great alternative. What matters most is consistency - the images should reflect your brand personality and support your messaging. When we design websites for businesses, we also make sure every image is optimized for speed and performance so you’re not sacrificing function for style. Our recommendation is to collect any and all images and videos you want on your new website and organize them in a Google Drive or Dropbox folder system that can be shared with your designer.
Three. Core Copy (Tagline, Services, About)
Your designer will need the content for your website just as much as the visuals. Having a draft of your pages, sections, and copy for each section prepared (even if it’s rough) helps your designer build layouts that actually support your messaging.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. A simple structure works well:
Homepage: headline, intro, and key calls to action
Services: short descriptions for each service or offering
About: your story, values, or approach
Contact: how people can reach you
If writing feels overwhelming, we often work with clients to refine their copy so it’s clear, engaging, and conversion-focused while also incorporating SEO. When you start a project with us, we will create a collaborative document where all the copy lives and can be updated.
Four. Domain & Hosting Access
Securing your domain right away is one of the most important steps in protecting your brand. And when it comes to hosting, it’s crucial to have it in your own name so you always retain control of your website.
At Sole Studio, we guide clients through this process - from choosing a domain registrar to setting up hosting that’s reliable and easy to manage. These steps can feel a little tricky if you’ve never done them before, but we’ll make sure everything is set up properly so you own your digital foundation from day one. If you feel overwhelmed by this step, don’t hesitate to reach out and we can walk you through your options, pricing, and the process of setting up/connecting a domain!
Wrapping It Up
Gathering these four essentials - logo/branding, photography, core copy, and domain/hosting access - sets the stage for a smooth website project. It also helps you get the most out of your investment, since your designer won’t be chasing down missing pieces and can focus on building a site that looks good and performs.
If you’re based in Vancouver (or anywhere in BC) and thinking about launching a new website or refreshing your current one, we’d love to help you build your dream website. Reach out to Sole Studio and let's bring your vision to life!
