How to Brief Your Web Agency

So, you’ve decided you need a website. Or your website needs a bit of a refresh. Or, you just want someone to take a look at your website and give you some tips on how to make it better.

Well, you’ve come to the right place for advice! In this helpful guide we explain top tips for briefing your web agency, from choosing the right partner, through to the nitty gritty details about your future website we need to know from you.

Firstly, you’ll need to reach out to a web development agency. There are hundreds, if not thousands to choose from around the UK so, how do you pick the right one for you?

Finding the right agency partner

The best thing to do is check out their website. Does it function well? Is it responsive and does it run quickly and smoothly? Is the content interesting, engaging and well thought through? Is the design attractive to you, does it align with their brand and service?

While you’re on their website check out their case studies. Look for any brands that are similar to yours and explore their websites too. Again, checking for speed, design and functionality. Making notes on elements you like and dislike about their sites will come in handy when discussing your project with your partner agency too.

Also, if an agency can’t make their website fast, how will they make yours speedy? Website loading times can be hugely influential on visitors, with slow load times impacting bounce rates and overall conversions.

Concerned your current website is slow? Here are some top tips to make your website faster.

Make contact

Once you’re confident that they have the capability and experience to take on your work, you’ll need to get in touch with your chosen agency. Before doing this, you should have a quick think about exactly what it is that you’re after, how will it affect/enhance your business, and when you’d like the work completed by.

The best way to get in touch in the first instance is through email. Within your initial email you should include the following key information:

• Your name
• Company name
• A brief description of your company and its key services/products
• Your target audience and existing clients (if appropriate)
• A link to a current website or social media channels associated with your company, if any
• A brief outline of what it is your looking for and how you want it to impact your business
• Links to other websites that you like the look and function of, and why you like them

Although you don’t want an email to be massive, it is important you make it clear who you are and what you want, otherwise your enquiry may seem ingenuine. Also, the more information you provide, the more the agency can tailor to you, for example by sending relevant case studies.

The fun stuff

Upon receipt of an enquiry, at Squarebird we’ll arrange a quick phone call or meeting to discuss your project in more detail and go through any specific questions you might have about the project. We’ll also provide a selection of examples of websites we’ve designed and built across a broad cost spectrum, that relate to your enquiry to show the kinds of websites we can create for you.

For example, we have built up a repertoire of websites for mechanical and engineering firms, perfect for highlighting our experience to clients in the industry.

Within that discussion we’ll also work out what kind of pages you need within your site and what content we’ll need for each. From photography and video, to a full copywriting service to create written copy for each page of your website, we’ve got the expertise to fulfil any and all requirements.

At this point, not much is set in stone, so structure or pages can change. In the beginning stages of a website project, a lot of discussion takes place just to get everyone on the right track!

We’ll also cover the not-so-sexy stuff like usability, security, performance, legal implications etc. but don’t worry if you’re not sure about this stuff, we can advise based on similar work we’ve done.

Finally, we’ll put a timeline together outlining the development process in line with your proposed deadline. This will include key milestones and regular updates, if required.