Introduction

Objective:

This brief is designed to help you communicate your specific needs for a local business or tradesperson website. Providing clear information will help your web design team create a site that resonates with your target audience, showcases your services effectively, and encourages new customer engagement.

Section 1: Project Overview

1. Business Background
   • Describe your business (e.g., electrician, plumber, landscaper, café).
   • Define your target service area and primary customer base.
   • What makes your services unique in the local market?
2. Project Goals
   • What do you want to achieve with this website? (e.g., more local leads, online appointment booking, increased calls from local customers).
   • Specific targets are helpful (e.g., x3 service requests per week, increase foot traffic to a storefront).
3. Project Scope
   • Is this a new website or an update to an existing one?
   • Are there additional goals, such as rebranding, or digital marketing services, to drive local traffic?

Section 2: Website Design and Functionality

1. Visual Style and Branding
   • Describe any existing brand colors, fonts, or styles that represent your business well.
   • Do you have a logo and/or photos of your work, team, or location?
   • Are there competitor websites that you like or dislike? This will help your web design team understand your preferences.
2. Content
   • List the key pages required (e.g., Home, Services, About, Contact, Testimonials).
   • What specific services do you want highlighted? (e.g., “Emergency Plumbing,” “Local Electrician,” “Landscaping Design”)
   • Do you have customer reviews or testimonials you’d like featured?
3. Functionality Requirements
   • Should the website include an online booking or contact form for inquiries and service requests?
   • Do you need a map to show your service area or office location?
   • Will you offer promotions or coupons that need to be prominently displayed?
4. User Experience (UX)
   • Describe the user journey: What actions should visitors take when they land on your site? (e.g., request a quote, schedule a consultation)
   • Any accessibility considerations to accommodate local customers with disabilities?

Section 3: Digital Marketing and Conversion Goals

1. Local SEO and Visibility
   • Are there specific local keywords you want to target? (e.g., “electrician in [town],” “emergency plumber [city]”)
   • Would you like Google Business Profile integration for added local visibility?
   • Should your website integrate with review platforms (e.g., Yelp, Google Reviews) to build trust?
2. Lead Generation and Conversions
   • Will you collect leads via contact forms, quote requests, or a phone call prompt?
   • Do you want to encourage sign-ups for newsletters or seasonal promotions?
3. Analytics and Tracking
   • Should your website track calls, form submissions, or other local conversion actions?
   • Any specific insights you want from the website analytics to monitor local engagement and traffic?

Section 4: Project Management and Deliverables

1. Deliverables List
   • Identify all deliverables you expect for this project (e.g., a fully functional website, SEO setup, contact forms).
   • Do you require training on updating your site, adding testimonials, or managing contact requests?
2. Timeline and Milestones
   • Ideal launch date and any important business milestones.
   • Any seasonal considerations, like peak service times, that might impact your timeline?
3. Budget and Payment Terms
   • Outline your budget, and if there’s room for adjustments if necessary features are identified.
   • Define payment terms for your web design company.
4. Communication and Approval Process
   • Who will be your primary contact for design and development approvals?
   • Preferred communication methods (e.g., email, phone) and update frequency.

Section 5: Expectations and Outcome

1. Define Success
   • Describe your idea of a “successful project” (e.g., increase in local leads, positive feedback from customers, higher visibility).
   • Do you expect to track success by calls or in-store visits from website referrals?
2. Managing Expectations
   • Outline any concerns or specific requirements to avoid surprises.
   • Share any limitations or budget constraints that could impact the project.
3. Feedback Process
   • Describe how you’d like to provide feedback during the project and any preferences for receiving updates.
   • Will you need any ongoing support post-launch?

Final Checklist Before Submission

• Have you outlined specific goals for the local area you serve?
• Have you provided all service-related content, images, and brand assets?
• Are all required functionalities, like online booking or map integration, clearly defined?
• Are your timeline, budget, and communication preferences documented?