I need a website. Where do I start?

"I need a website" is a sentence we hear a lot, usually followed by "but I have no idea where to begin." That is a fine place to be. You do not need to understand hosting or design to make a good start. You need to answer a few questions first. Here they are, in order.

Start with why, not what

Before colours, before pages, before quotes, answer this: what do you need the website to do for your business? Bring in enquiries? Sell products? Save you from answering the same questions on the phone? Look credible so people trust you before they call? There is no wrong answer, but there is a clear one for your business, and everything else follows from it.

Know who it is for

A website for a plumber in Benoni and a website for a law firm in Sandton are not the same site. Picture the person you want to reach. What are they worried about? What do they need to see to trust you? What would make them pick up the phone? The clearer that picture, the easier every other decision becomes.

Write down what you want it to do

List the things a visitor should be able to do: see your services, get a quote, book a slot, buy something, find your address, message you on WhatsApp. This list becomes your pages and your buttons. It does not have to be long. It has to be honest about what matters.

Gather what you already have

You probably have more than you think. A logo, brand colours, photos of your work, a list of services, testimonials, the text from an old site or brochure. Put it in one folder. If there are gaps, note them. Knowing what you are missing is as useful as having it, because it tells you whether you need help with content, photos or copy.

Decide: build it yourself or get help

If the site is simple and budget is tight, a DIY builder can get you online this week. If the website matters to how you get work, or you do not have the time or the eye for it, hiring a professional pays for itself. Be honest about which camp you are in. There is no shame in either, but pretending a template will do when you need custom just means rebuilding later.

Know what to ask a web designer

When you do talk to someone, a few questions tell you a lot:

• Will I own the domain, the site and the content?
• Is the design custom or a template?
• Is it built to load fast and show up on Google?
• Does it work properly on a phone?
• What happens after launch, and what does support cost?

Good answers here matter more than the lowest price.

Your next step

If you have worked through the questions above, you are further along than most people who ask for a quote. From here, read how to actually get a website built, or get a sense of what it costs. When you are ready, tell us what you are building and we will help you take it from idea to live.