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What to prepare before hiring a developer
What should you have ready before hiring a developer?
Most web projects don't actually stall on the technical side. They slow down because a few essential pieces are missing that the developer needs to build efficiently. Every tiny gap turns into a delay, which can easily stretch your timeline and budget.
A little preparation removes almost all of that friction. If you bring these 5 things to the table, your project gets faster, smoother, and much more relaxed.
01
Know what you want the site to do
Before thinking about design or technology, answer one core question: what is the main job of this website? Is it to get more inquiry forms filled out? To handle direct bookings? Or maybe to answer repetitive questions so your inbox gets a break? A simple site engineered to do one specific job really well will always outperform a complex build without a clear focus.
02
Bring your content
This is the single biggest reason projects get stuck. You don't need every single sentence perfectly polished on day one, but having your raw materials - main copy, team info, service details, or a realistic timeline for when they'll be ready - makes all the difference. Great websites are built around content, not the other way around.
03
Gather your visual basics
In the tech world, we call these "brand assets," but really it just means the visual DNA of your business. To build a site that looks like you, a developer needs your high-resolution logo, the specific colors or fonts you use, and any professional photos you have. Having these ready on day one easily saves a week of back-and-forth guessing games.
04
Collect examples - liked and disliked
Send over three or four websites you absolutely admire, and one or two you really dislike. The trick here is to note why: "I love how clean and calm this menu feels," or "this font is way too messy for me." Turning your personal taste into a clear direction gives your developer a massive head start.
05
Be honest about budget and timeline
A transparent budget isn't about giving away your negotiating power; it lets a developer propose the right technical solution instead of guessing what you can afford. The same goes for deadlines. Being open about your timeline from the start keeps expectations honest and prevents stressful rushes at the finish line.
The best projects start half-solved, because the client came prepared.
If you'd like a clear picture of what your specific project needs before anyone starts building, that's exactly the conversation I like to have first.
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