Website checklist

Introduction
We would love to hear all about your new website project! Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you shortly. Go on, don't be shy. The more information you provide us, the better. Warning: This is a fairly lengthy question and answer form, so go and grab yourself a tea or coffee (and if your offering, I'll take a long black, no sugar).
Overview
What is the name of your company?*
What is your current (or intended) URL?
Tell us a little about your company and the product/service your site will provide.
Who are the primary contacts from your organisation, and who has final approval on the project?
What is your intended launch date for the new site?
Are there any outside considerations that might affect the schedule (for example, PR launch, trade show, annual report)?
Do you have a specific budget range already established for this project?
Can this project be divided into phases to accommodate budget and timing constraints?

Current Site (if applicable)
Do you feel your current site promotes a favourable user experience? Why or why not?
What specific areas of your current site do you feel are successful? Why are they successful?
What shortcomings exist with the current site and what three things would you change on the site today if you could?
Have you conducted usability tests or gathered visitor feedback for your current site? If so, how long ago? Please include any reports or findings.
Have you conducted usability tests or gathered visitor feedback for your current site? If so, how long ago? Please include any reports or findings.

Reasons for a (Re)design (if applicable)
What are the main reasons for commissioning/redesigning your site (new business model, outdated site, expanded services, different audience)?
What is the main business problem you hope to solve with the site? How will you measure the success of the solution?

Audience/Desired Action
Describe a typical site visitor. How often are they online, and what do they generally use the web for? Give basic demographics: age, occupation, income level, purchasing habits. (Use as much detail as possible in profiling your target user. Profile more than one type if appropriate.)
What is the primary ‘action’ the site visitor should take when coming to your site (make a purchase, become a member, search for information)?
What are the key reasons why the target audience chooses your company’s products and/or services (cost, service, value)?
How many people (as far as you can tell) access your site on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis? How do you measure usage? Do you forecast usage to increase after the site launch and by how much?

Perception
How is your company currently perceived offline? Do you want to carry the same kind of message through your website?
How does your company differentiate itself from competitors? Do you think your current audience differentiates you from your competition?
Please list a competitor URL
Please list a competitor URL
Please list a competitor URL
List a URL of any site you find compelling.
What specifically do you like about this site?
List a URL of any site you find compelling.
What specifically do you like about this site?
List a URL of any site you find compelling.
What specifically do you like about this site?

Content
Will this site use existing content from a current site? If so, what is the source, who is responsible for approval, and has the content been audited? If not, will you be creating content in-house or using an outside provider?
What is the basic structure of the content, and how is it organised? Is it a complete overhaul of a current site, an expansion or completely new?
Describe any visual elements or content that should be utilised from your current site or marketing materials (logo, colour scheme, navigation, naming conventions, etc.)
How will the content of this site (along with functionality and navigation) expand or differ from your current site? Do you have an existing sitemap for the outgoing site structure? Do you already have a sitemap or outline for the proposed redesign?

Technology
What is your target platform and browser?
i.e. iPad, iPhone or strictly desktop/laptop
Whom can we talk to in your organisation to help respond to technical issues?
Are there specific technologies (Flash, JavaScript, DHTML, etc.) that you would like to use in the site? If so, how will they enhance the user experience? Please describe in detail.
Will you have database functionality (dynamic content generation, personalisation/login)? Do you already have a database in place? Please include information regarding existing programs and software.
Will you have a need for secured transactions (e-commerce)? Do you already offer transactions online?
Will you have a need for secured transactions (e-commerce)? Do you already offer transactions online?

Marketing/Updating
How do most people find out about your current website? What kind of triggers prompt a visit (referral links, incentives, search engine terms)?
What methods of distributing the URL already exist within the company on and offline?
Briefly, what are your short-term marketing plans (specifically, for the site redesign and the 6 to 12 months following launch)?
Do you have an existing or planned marketing strategy in mind to promote this site redesign? If so, please describe.
Do you intend to keep the site updated? If so, how often? Who is responsible for updating and providing content?

Notes/Comments
Notes
Please take as much space as you need.
Name
FirstLast
Address
Street AddressAddress Line 2CityState / Province / RegionZip / Postal CodeCountry
Email
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Introduction