Thinking of hiring a web developer? The more prepared you are, the smoother the process will be. Whether you’re a Southern Arizona startup or a growing local business, here’s what you should have ready before your first consultation.

1. Clarify Your Goals

   It’s easy to say “I need a website,” but taking a moment to dig deeper will help guide the entire project.

   Ask yourself:

   • What do I want my website to achieve?
   • Is it to generate leads? Sell products? Book consultations?
   • What problem should it solve for me or my customers?

   A focused goal helps your developer design a site with purpose.

2. Gather Branding Assets

   Before the project begins, if you have existing branding you want to continue to use, the developer will need a package of these assets.

   Organize and collect your:

   • Logo files (preferably in SVG, AI, or EPS)
   • Color palette and font choices
   • Brand guidelines (if you have them)
   • High-quality images or videos

   If the project includes creating or rebranding your organization, preparing for a branding consultation will help your designer or developer understand your vision clearly.

   Here are a few steps to take before that meeting:

   • Clarify your mission and values
   • Define your audience
   • Gather inspiration
   • Identify the emotions you want your brand to evoke
   • Think about the tone/energy you want of the brand

3. Know Your Content Needs

   Will you be writing the content yourself, or need help with copywriting? Make a list of pages you want (e.g. Home, About, Services, Contact), and jot down key points or existing text you want to ensure is included.

4. Decide on Features and Functionality

   Do you need a blog, booking form, eCommerce, multilingual support? The earlier your developer knows, the better they can plan and quote accurately.

5. Set a Realistic Timeline and Budget

   Know your launch goals, but understand that high-quality custom development takes time. Be transparent about your budget — a good developer will propose solutions that fit it.

6. Check Hosting, Domains, and Access

   If you already have a domain or hosting, gather your credentials. If not, define a sustainable budget so your developer can help you find the right hosting platform/domain registrar for you.

Solid preparation makes all the difference. When you’re clear on your goals and have your assets ready, your Tucson web project will run more smoothly — saving you both time and money.