How to Write a Perfect Website Brief for Developers

Creating a website that meets your business goals and stands out in a competitive digital landscape starts with a well-crafted website brief. This essential document bridges the gap between your vision and a developer's technical expertise, ensuring the project is on track from day one. Here's how to write the perfect website brief to guide your developers effectively:

Before diving into specifics, provide developers with an overview of your business and objectives.

Share your business's mission, values, and history. This helps developers understand your brand identity.

Clearly define the purpose of the website. Is it to generate leads, sell products, build brand awareness, or provide information?

Example:

"We are a UK-based coffee roastery aiming to sell premium beans online and promote sustainability. The website should highlight our products, eco-friendly practices, and allow for seamless e-commerce transactions."

Knowing your audience influences design, functionality, and content. Share demographic details like age, profession, interests, and online behaviour.

- Who is your ideal customer?

- What problems are they trying to solve?

- How will your website address their needs?

Example:

"Our primary audience is environmentally conscious millennials aged 25-40 who enjoy speciality coffee and are active on social media."

Clearly outline the must-have features of your website. This will help developers prioritise and estimate the project scope.

- Home page, contact form, and product/service pages

- Advanced Features: E-commerce functionality, booking systems, membership areas, or integrations with tools like CRMs or analytics platforms

- User Interactions: Think about navigation, search functionality, and personalisation options

Example:

"We need a responsive design, an e-commerce system with multiple payment options, a subscription-based newsletter signup, and integration with our CRM."

Developers often collaborate with designers, but it's helpful to include references that inspire you.

- Provide links to websites you admire and specify what you like (e.g., colour schemes, layouts, or tone)

- Mention any brand guidelines or specific design preferences

Example:

"We love the minimalist style of [examplewebsite.com], especially their product pages. Our brand uses earthy tones, so we'd like the site to reflect that."

Let your developers know how much content you have and who will provide it.

- Existing Content: Will you repurpose existing material, or do you need new content created?

- Content Format: Will there be videos, infographics, or downloadable resources?

- SEO Strategy: Mention if you have keywords or require SEO optimisation

Example:

"We'll supply product descriptions and images. We need help formatting blog posts and optimising them for SEO."

Clear expectations about the project timeline and budget prevent misunderstandings.

- Deadlines: Be upfront about any launch dates or promotional events tied to the website

- Budget Range: Share a realistic figure or range that includes development, hosting, and ongoing maintenance

Example:

"We need the site live by 1st September for our autumn product launch. Our budget is £8,000–£12,000."

Include details about the platforms, hosting, or tools you plan to use.

- Hosting Preferences: Do you have a provider or need recommendations?

- CMS Requirements: Should the site use WordPress, Shopify, or another CMS?

- Additional Integrations: Mention if you need APIs, analytics, or social media integration

Example:

"We prefer using Shopify for e-commerce and need Google Analytics integration."

Think beyond launch and discuss how the site will be maintained.

- Ongoing Support: Will you need developer support post-launch?

- Scalability: Do you anticipate adding features or content in the future?

Example:

"We'd like a support package for the first six months post-launch and the flexibility to add a blog section later."

Ensure seamless communication by providing key points of contact.

- List project stakeholders and their roles

- Clarify who will approve deliverables and provide feedback

Example:

"Project Manager: Jane Doe (jane@example.com). Final approvals from CEO John Smith."

Before sending your brief, review it for clarity and completeness. An effective brief is concise but thorough, offering enough detail without overwhelming developers.

By following these steps, you'll create a website brief that aligns everyone involved and sets your project up for success. Developers will appreciate the clarity, and you'll enjoy a smoother, more efficient development process.

Need help bringing your website vision to life? At Kinovu, we specialise in transforming ideas into impactful digital experiences. Contact us today to discuss your project!