How To Write An Effective Web Design Brief
Web Design Brief
A web design brief is a written explanation outlining the aims, objectives and milestones of a web design project.
A thorough and articulate web design brief is a critical part of the design process. It helps to develop a level of understanding and forms the basis of further detailed study.
This article outlines some of the most important factors to consider when writing your web design brief.
Company Profile
A short, synopsis of your organisation or company.
- What your organisation does?
- How long you have been established and how many staff you employ?
- What your niche market is?
- How you fit in to your industry sector?
Your Aims for the website
For example, do you want to:
- Generate sales?
- Encourage enquiries?
- Gain newsletter subscribers?
- Obtain information from your audience?
Your Current Website
For example, detail:
- Positive factors about your current website
- Negative factors about your current website
- Areas that need improvement
- Identified drop-off points
Your Target Audience
Detail your primary, secondary and tertiary audiences. Explain if you are looking to consolidate your existing client-base or appeal to new markets.
Your Competition
Detail your 3 closest competitors and their web addresses. Detail:
- 3 positive factors about each competitor website
- 3 negative factors about each competitor website
- Details of how your new site can gain market share from your competitors?
- Detail anything from your competitor sites that are unique and would be useful addition to your site?
Demographics
Detail any demographic figures about your audience that may be useful to a web design agency. These may include:
- Age
- Sex
- Income
- Occupation
- Location
- Important Keywords
Social Networks
Are Social Networks important to your present and future marketing?
Your Budget And Time-Scale
Even if you can only provide a ball-park figure, a budget expectation will give a web design agency a good idea of the type of solution they will realistically be able to provide.
Timescales are also an important consideration – detail any specific deadlines that need to be met.
Consult with Colleagues
Consult with other relevant stakeholders in your organisation. Showing the design brief to different people may reveal remarkable differences in the way people see the aims and objectives of your new website. Resolving any differences early will save considerable time and expense further down the line.
Design Examples
Providing examples of what you consider to be effective or relevant design can be a great help in writing a design brief.
Make sure to include samples of your company’s current marketing materials.
