Why This Matters

The single biggest factor in whether a web project comes in on time and on budget is not the designer's skill — it is how prepared the client is on day one. Projects where the client provides everything upfront finish faster, require fewer revisions, and almost always turn out better.

This is not about making the designer's life easier (though it does). It is about getting you a better website, sooner, for less money.

1. Logo and Brand Assets

Your logo in the highest quality format you have — ideally a vector file (.ai, .eps, or .svg). If you only have a JPEG or PNG, that works, but higher resolution is always better.

Also helpful if you have them:

  • Your brand colors (hex codes if you know them)
  • Any fonts associated with your brand
  • Examples of marketing materials you already use and like

If you do not have a professional logo yet, say so upfront. A good designer will account for it in the project rather than building a site around a placeholder that needs to be replaced later.

2. Real Photos of Your Work

This is the single most impactful asset you can provide. Real photos of your team, your truck, and your completed work will always outperform stock images — no exceptions.

You do not need to write perfect copy. Give your designer bullet points — what you do, who you serve, what makes you different, your service areas — and a good designer will shape it into effective website copy. Trying to write polished copy yourself is one of the most common project killers.

For photos, aim for:

  • 10–20 photos of completed work (before-and-after pairs if possible)
  • 2–3 photos of your team at work or in uniform
  • A photo of your vehicle or equipment if relevant
  • Shot in good natural light, on a smartphone camera — professional photography is not required

3. Complete Business Information

Your designer needs the factual foundation of your business to build accurate, credible pages. Gather this before the project starts:

  • Business name (exact legal name)
  • Phone number and email address
  • Physical address (even if you are a mobile business)
  • Service area — every city, town, and neighborhood you serve
  • Hours of operation
  • License number(s) and state
  • Insurance information ("fully licensed and insured in [state]" at minimum)
  • Years in business
  • Any certifications or manufacturer credentials

4. Content and Copy Bullets

You do not need to write finished prose. Bullet points are enough — and often better, because they force you to focus on what actually matters.

For each service you offer, jot down:

  • What the service includes
  • Who it is for
  • What makes your version of it different or better
  • Any relevant pricing or process information you want customers to know

Also write a few sentences about your business overall: how long you have been in business, why you started, what you are known for. This becomes your "About" page content and often the most trust-building part of the site.

5. Examples of Sites You Like

This is the most underutilized input on any web project. "Make it look professional and modern" is subjective and leads to misaligned revisions. Three to five specific websites you like gives your designer concrete visual direction that no written description can match.

These do not need to be in your industry. Find sites you find visually appealing or easy to navigate — from any business. Screenshot the specific elements you like: a header style, a color combination, a way of displaying services. This single input, done well, can cut revision rounds in half.