You’ve decided your small business or side hustle needs a proper website. You’ve found a designer. So now what?
If you’ve never been through a website design consultation before, you might be wondering what actually happens in that first conversation. Will you be expected to know all the technical stuff? Do you need a full brand guide ready? But what if you don’t know what you want yet?
I’ve worked with many Birmingham small business owners and side hustlers, and many of them feel the same way. Here, I’ll tell you exactly what happens in a website design consultation and how you can prepare to make the most of it.
What Happens in a Website Design Consultation (And How to Prepare)
A website design consultation is your chance to talk through your business, your goals and what you actually need from your website. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s an open and honest conversation where I learn about your business and you get to ask questions about the process, pricing and timelines.
For small business owners in Birmingham and across the UK, this consultation sets the foundation for everything that follows. The more prepared you are, the smoother your website project will go and the more confident you will feel.
What is a Website Design Consultation?
A website design consultation is a conversation between you and your designer to discuss your project. It usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes and can happen over a video call, phone call or in person.
The goal is simple. I need to understand your business, your customers and what you want your website to achieve. You need to understand how I work, what the process looks like and what it’s going to cost.
At this point I’m gathering information so I can put together a clear plan for your website. As a solo designer working with small businesses and side hustles, these consultations are relaxed, informal and focused on getting you the information you need to move forward.
What We’ll Cover in Your Website Design Consultation
Every consultation is different because every business is different. But there are a few key areas I’ll always ask about to make sure I can build a website that works for your business goals.
Your Business Goals and Target Audience
First, I want to understand what your business does and who you’re trying to reach. Are you targeting local Birmingham customers or selling UK wide? Are you selling products, services or both? What makes you different from your competitors?
I’ll also ask what you want your website to achieve. Do you need people to book appointments? Make purchases? Download a guide? The clearer you are about your goals, the better I can design your site to support them.
This is where small business owners sometimes worry they need to have everything figured out. You don’t. I’ve helped plenty of side hustlers who are still refining their offers, we work through those details together.
Your Website Must Haves
Next, we’ll talk about what your website needs to include. Do you need an online shop? A booking system? A blog? forms? Payment plans?
I’ll walk you through what’s essential for your type of business and what might be nice to have but not necessary right away. For example, if you’re a service based business in Great Barr, you might need a solid services page and contact form more than you need a complex booking system.
According to Nielsen Norman Group’s homepage usability research, users should be able to understand what a company does within seconds of landing on the homepage. I keep this principle in mind when we discuss your must haves.
Design Preferences and Examples
This is where I ask about the look and feel you want. Do you have brand colours already? Fonts? A logo? If you don’t, that’s fine.
I’ll also ask you to share examples of websites you like. This doesn’t mean I’ll copy them. It helps me understand your taste and what resonates with you. Maybe you love clean, minimal designs or maybe you prefer something bold and colourful.
Many Birmingham business owners I work with worry about not having a full brand ready. You don’t need one. As long as you can tell me the vibe you’re going for, I can create something that feels right for your business.
Timeline and Budget
Finally, we’ll talk about timing and pricing. When do you need your website live? Are you launching a new business or replacing an old site?
I’m transparent about my pricing from the start. My website design packages range from £1,500 to £4,750, depending on what you need. I offer payment plans so you can split the cost and own your website outright, rather than paying a monthly subscription forever.
Most of my projects take 2 to 4 weeks from start to finish, which is much faster than the 8 to 12 weeks you’d wait with bigger Birmingham agencies. If you need your site live quickly for a launch or event, let me know during the consultation so I can plan accordingly.
How to Prepare for Your Website Design Consultation
You don’t need to prepare extensively, but a little thought beforehand makes the conversation more productive. Here’s what helps.
Write down your business goals. What do you want your website to do for you? Generate leads? Sell products? Build credibility? Knowing this helps me recommend the right features and structure.
Think about your ideal customer. Who are they? Where are they based? What problems are they trying to solve? The more specific you are, the better I can tailor your site to attract them.
Gather any existing brand materials. If you have a logo, brand colours or fonts, have them ready. If you don’t, no problem. Just let me know.
Save examples of websites you like. Screenshot them or save the URLs. This gives me a starting point for understanding your design preferences.
Know your budget and timeline. Be honest about what you can afford and when you need the site live. I can work within most budgets and timelines, but I need to know upfront to plan properly.
The Google SEO Starter Guide emphasises that websites should be built with users in mind first. Preparing these details ensures your site is designed around real user needs, not just what looks nice.
What Happens After the Consultation?
After our consultation, I’ll take everything we discussed and put together a proposal. This includes the exact scope of work, pricing, timeline and payment structure.
You’ll have time to review the proposal and ask any follow up questions. Always ask questions. If you’re happy to move forward, we’ll lock in your project dates and I’ll send over a simple contract and invoice for your deposit.
From there, the design process begins. I’ll keep you updated throughout, and you’ll have clear opportunities to give feedback at key stages. As a solo designer, you’re working directly with me, so there’s no back and forth with account managers or long email chains.
For more context on timelines, read my guide on how long it takes to build a professional business website.
So… What Happens in a Website Design Consultation
Your website design consultation is a straightforward conversation about your business, your goals and what you need from your website. It’s not a test, you won’t be made to feel uncomfortable. You don’t need to have all the answers or a polished brand ready.
I work with small business owners and side hustles across Birmingham, Great Barr and the UK who are building something meaningful. My job is to ask the right questions, understand what you need and create a website that supports your business without the corporate price tag or long wait times.
If you prepare a few key details, your business goals, your ideal customer and a rough idea of your budget and timeline, we’ll have a productive conversation and I’ll handle the rest from there.
Ready to Get a Professional Website for Your Business?
I specialise in designing websites for side hustlers and small businesses that turn browsers into paying customers. No cookie cutter templates, just bespoke designs that actually work for your goals.
Here’s how it works:
- Fill out this quick form (takes 1 minute): Website Enquiry Form
- We’ll chat about your project on a quick call (no obligation)
- I’ll review your info
- If it’s a fit, I’ll build your site in 2 – 4 weeks
Book your free consultation here now: Website Enquiry Form
Or have a quick question? WhatsApp me