How to Brief a Web Designer So They Actually Nail Your Vision

"I'll know it when I see it" is the hardest brief a designer can work from. The more specific you can be upfront, the fewer rounds of revisions it takes to land somewhere you're happy with.

What to Actually Include in a Brief

• What the site needs to accomplish (bookings, calls, sales, credibility) in one clear sentence
• Who your ideal customer is, and what they're searching for when they find you
• 3 to 5 websites you like, and specifically what you like about each one
• Any brand colors, logo, or fonts you already have
• Pages you know you need, even as a rough list
• Anything you specifically don't want

Show, Don't Just Describe

"Modern and clean" means something different to every person who says it. Instead, send real examples: other websites, even ones outside your industry, and point to the specific element you like, whether that's the layout, the color palette, or how the navigation feels.

Be Honest About What You Don't Know

You don't need to have this all figured out before your first call. A good designer will ask the right questions to pull this information out of you if you don't already have it organized. The goal of a brief isn't to have every answer, it's to start the conversation with as much real information as possible.