A brief is a questionnaire-style document that helps define future tasks more clearly before a project moves into development.
Completing a brief helps us quickly establish the price and timeline for your project and reduces misunderstandings between client and contractor.
A brief is not a technical specification — a technical specification for website development is a separate document, prepared after the brief is agreed.
In a brief, the contractor asks a series of questions the client answers, so we receive detailed information about your business and your vision for the future project.
What is a website brief?
A brief is the first structured step before design and build. It captures what you want the site to achieve, who it is for, and what it should include — in writing, not from memory after a call.
Why do you need a brief?
A brief is needed to minimise gaps between contractor and client.
Everyone sees things differently. That is why it is important to complete the brief as thoroughly as possible, covering every nuance and detail of the future project.
Many people think everything can be discussed on a phone call or in person. That is not ideal, because both sides risk misinterpreting many points.
The brief is agreed between client and contractor. Completing it is the first step toward a technical specification. If disagreements arise later, the brief is the reference both parties use to clarify details and continue the discussion.
For the client, the benefit is time to think through ideas and wishes and describe in detail the key points that must appear on the site.
For the contractor, the benefit is saved time when defining scope, complexity, timeline, and cost of website development.
Completing a brief also helps build trust between client and contractor — it shows a responsible approach to the future project.
What information goes in a brief?
A brief typically covers:
— Contact details for both parties and preferred ways to reach you, plus a convenient time window for communication.
— Information about the company, sole trader, or freelancer:
— company name;
— address;
— positioning (for example, a hair salon or online store);
— slogan;
— field of activity;
— main products or services offered;
— target audience the site is aimed at;
— benefits and what makes your services or products unique.
— Site type:
— landing page;
— corporate website;
— online store;
— business card site;
— catalogue;
— custom site, and other options.
— Main actions on the site — what a visitor should do (buy, order, subscribe, and so on).
— Design of the future site and brand style (fonts, graphics, colour palette). Your ideas and preferences are described.
— Examples of competitor websites (URLs), with notes on what you like and dislike about their style and functionality.
— Required site pages:
— informational pages;
— catalogue or online store pages;
— additional and other pages.
— Required functionality for the entire future site.
— Language versions of the site.
— Whether you already have ready content (unique copy, optimised images, video, logo, and so on).
— Future site growth and promotion.
— Budget and development timeline.
— Further wishes and questions from the client.
Conclusion
A detailed brief gives several specialists — marketer, designer, copywriter, developer — a full picture of the project from the start and, as a result, saves time when estimating the development timeline and cost.
If you are planning a turnkey website, the brief is where that process begins: clear answers upfront mean a clearer estimate and fewer surprises later.
Message us in your preferred messenger or fill in the form. Share your ideas — we will suggest the best approach, and estimate cost and timeline for development.