Before building a website, prepare a usable logo, a small colour palette, readable typography, a clear description of your offer and suitable images. You do not need a complicated brand manual to begin, but a shared set of decisions helps the website and future marketing materials stay consistent.
Start with the message
Write a plain explanation of what you do, who it is for and why someone should contact you. List your core services and the questions customers ask before buying.
Design cannot resolve an offer that changes on every page. Agree the message first, then use the visual identity to support it. Avoid choosing colours and fonts solely because another company uses them.
Gather the right logo files
Supply the original vector file if available, plus versions suitable for light and dark backgrounds. Keep a simplified icon for small spaces such as browser tabs or compact dashboard areas.
Check how the logo looks at the size it will actually appear. A detailed mark or tiny tagline may be unreadable in a mobile header even if it looks good in a large presentation.
Choose colours for use, not just appearance
Define a primary brand colour, supporting colours and neutral text/background colours. Include examples of acceptable text and background combinations.
Buttons, links, form messages and secondary text need enough contrast to remain readable. Dark mode and light mode each need checking; changing only the background can make text disappear.
Keep typography simple
Use a small, consistent type system for headings, body text, labels and buttons. Test long paragraphs and mobile screens, not only short hero headlines. A heavier font can add clarity, but making every element bold removes the distinction between the important parts.
Ask who holds any required font licence and whether it covers website use. Use properly licensed images and fonts rather than copying assets from another business.
Create a practical handover folder
Include approved logo files, colour values, font choices, service copy, contact details and selected images with usage rights. Identify the person who can approve changes. This helps prevent conflicting feedback and repeated file searches during development.
If your brand is still developing, agree a modest initial identity rather than delaying the entire project for decisions that can be refined later.
Build one consistent presence
Our branding and graphic design service can help prepare the assets, and website design can apply them across the site. Send your existing materials through request a proposal so we can identify what is reusable and what needs work.