How to prepare for a website project: a checklist for Kenyan small businesses

Most delays in a website project are not caused by design or code. They come from missing information: the business description is not ready, the photos are on someone's phone, or nobody has decided what the website is actually for. A little preparation saves weeks.

1. Decide what the website must do

Write one sentence that finishes “When someone visits our website, we want them to…”. Call you? Send a WhatsApp message? Book an appointment? Understand your prices? This single decision shapes every page.

2. List the pages you really need

A small business rarely needs more than five or six pages to start. A common set is:

• Home — who you are and what you offer, in a few seconds
• Services or products — each with a short, specific explanation
• About — the people and story behind the business
• Work or gallery — proof that you have done this before
• Contact — phone, WhatsApp, location and opening hours

3. Gather your content early

• Your logo in the best quality you have
• A short description of each service and, where possible, its price
• Real photos of your premises, products, team or work
• Your verified phone number, WhatsApp number and email address
• Social media links you actually use

Real photos build more trust than stock images. Good phone photos taken in daylight are often enough.

4. Sort out the domain and email

Check whether the .co.ke or .com name you want is available and who will own it. The domain should be registered in the business's name, not a former employee's or a designer's personal account.

5. Be honest about budget and timeline

Share a budget range and your real deadline at the start. It lets the designer suggest what is realistic — for example, launching a simple version first and adding an online shop later.

6. Plan who will keep it updated

A website with last year's prices hurts more than it helps. Decide who will update it, and ask whether you need a simple way to edit content yourself or an ongoing support arrangement.

If you have these six points ready, your first conversation with a designer will be far more productive — and your website will reach customers sooner.