In order to start the design process, your web developer will need to receive a few materials before getting started. I’m talking about actual files and internal documents… not the business discussion that should have already happened.

What do you need to prepare?

1. Your logo. If you already have a professionally designed logo, you will need to provide it as a vector-based file. This is typically an Adobe Illustrator file. A jpeg or gif won’t work because they have already been compressed and can’t be re-sized. They might also have a background color that conflicts with the new web design.

2. Your company colors. Colors on the web will vary slightly from screen to screen depending on the monitors and even the angles of laptop screens. But we can match colors pretty well now. If you have specific PMS colors you use in your print materials, provide those values for matching.

3. Your company fonts. To stay search engine friendly, your web developer will stick to the common fonts used in most computers to avoid having to turn text into images. However, your company fonts could be used as part of the design where it’s OK to use images. Provide both the names of the font faces as well as the files.

4. Photography. Any photography you have that you like enough to re-use will be appreciated by your web developer. Provide them in their original format and size. It’s better to have to size them down than to have something too small to work with. You probably have these photos in high resolution. Even though the web only uses 72 dpi, provide them as you have them. They are more versatile that way.

5. Stationary package. Put together the digital files and printed samples of your business card, letterhead, and envelope. You want your website to have consistent branding elements.

6. Marketing materials. Provide any printed or digital marketing materials whose look-and-feel needs to considered for consistency. Seeing what you are currently doing in other mediums is extremely helpful in keeping all marketing efforts looking well integrated.

7. Sample sites. Browse the web and provide 3-5 URLs of websites you like and a brief description of what you like about them. These sites don’t have to be in your industry. Don’t be afraid that your web developer will copy them. We just like them as a visual representation of what you like.