Web Design Consultation Prep Guide (Get Ready For Your Call)
Why does prep change everything? Web Design Consultation Prep is less about having the perfect answers and more about showing up ready for a real conversation.
This article is part of my Confident Client Series. I’m Meg, a Squarespace web designer and SEO specialist, but for this series, I’d like to consider myself your confidence catalyst. My goal is to bridge the gap between your expertise and your online presence so you can show up confidently online.
This series is all about helping you make confident and informed decisions about your website. In this article, we’re talking about how to prepare for your first discovery call with a web designer.
What You'll Learn in This Article
I’ll walk you through all of this below, but if you prefer watching/listening, be sure to view the companion video on my YouTube channel.
Why Preparation Matters for Your Discovery Call
Most designers offer a free consultation call (often called a Discovery call) to see if you’re a good fit for each other. These calls are usually about 20 to 30 minutes, and that’s not a lot of time.
If you show up unprepared, you’ll spend the whole call explaining the basics. You won’t get to the real questions that help you decide whether the designer is right for you, and they won’t have enough time to figure out if you’re a good fit for them either.
If you show up prepared, you can have a strategic conversation that actually moves you forward.
Here are a few benefits of doing a little prep work before you hop on Zoom or Google Meet:
You’ll have a better conversation (and it won’t feel rushed).
You’ll be able to decide on fit faster, with more confidence.
You’ll make progress, even in a short 20 to 30 minutes.
“Showing up prepared makes for a better conversation and helps you both determine if it’s gonna be a good fit.”
What to Have Ready: Start with the Basics
Before you get into style preferences and strategy, make sure you’ve got the basics covered. Think of this as your “bring this to the call” list.
Your current website URL
If you have a current website, share the link up front. Your designer may request this when you book, but if they don’t, be ready to provide it during the call.
A few quick reminders:
Be honest about what’s not working.
Remember, they’re not there to judge you.
They’re trying to understand what’s happening so they can help you problem-solve.
A clear business overview
Be ready to explain:
What you do
Who you serve
Your primary services and offerings
What makes you different from your competitors
This is where you get to name your unique special sauce.
Specific website goals (not just “I need a website”)
Try not to be vague. “I need a website,” or “I want a redesign so it looks nicer,” doesn’t give your designer much to work with.
Instead, get specific about what you want your website to accomplish:
What action do you want visitors to take?
What’s not working on your current site?
Why are you making this decision right now?
An example might sound like this: you want your website to clearly communicate your expertise and convert consultation calls into paying clients, but right now people seem confused about what you offer.
Your timeline (and why)
When do you need the project done? Be realistic and honest about the reason behind the date.
For example: you might want to launch within six weeks because you’re speaking at a conference and you want to send people to your new website. That context is incredibly helpful for a designer when they’re thinking about scheduling and scope.
Your budget range
Ideally, your designer has already shared starting prices or package ranges (either on their website or in an intake form). If they haven’t, be ready to share a general budget range so they can tell you if it’s even possible to work together.
This helps avoid the scenario where your budget is $2,000, and their packages start at $5,000. It’s better to know that upfront.
Controversial take (but it needs to be said): if a designer has clearly shared their price points in advance and they’re clearly not in your budget, don’t request a call with them. It wastes your time and theirs.
Budget note: You don’t need to share your absolute maximum number. A range is fine, and it gives your designer something realistic to work from.
Level Up with Strategic Prep
Once you’ve got the basics ready, a little strategic prep can make the call feel more productive (and less like you’re trying to explain everything on the spot).
Examples of what you love (and the vibe you’re going for)
Bring a few examples of websites, layouts, features, or styles you’re drawn to. You’re trying to give the designer a sense of your taste and expectations, both visually and technically.
This could include things like:
Colors you like
Layout styles that feel good to you
Features you want (or don’t want)
The vibe you’re trying to get across
Navigation styles you’ve noticed and liked
Blog setups that feel easy to read
Brand elements to share
If you already have brand elements you like and want to keep, tell your designer and be prepared to share them if they ask.
This may include:
A logo
A color palette
Fonts
The flip side matters too. If you’re not happy with your current logos, colors, or fonts, that’s equally helpful to say out loud. It lets your designer see what you have, and also understand that it’s not the direction you want to go.
If you want a deeper look at how color choices can come together into a cohesive website feel, this post may be helpful: How to develop a website color scheme
Your content situation (be honest)
This one is big: be honest about what content you already have, and what you’ll need to create as part of the project.
Your designer is trying to understand what needs to be included in the scope so they can determine whether they can support you, create the right proposal, and price it accordingly.
Here are the types of things to be ready to talk about:
Do you already have copy written, or will copywriting need to be part of the project?
Do you already have professional photos?
Do you have clear descriptions of your services?
Do you know what pages you need?
It’s also helpful to have a general sense of the type of site you’re building:
A simple five-page site
A more complex site with a blog
E-commerce
A membership
A course
If it’s more complex, the next question is simple: do you have content for that, or is it still in progress?
Smart Questions to Ask Your Designer
Don’t show up without questions. You’re interviewing each other (in a friendly way). You’re trying to find out if they’re a good fit, while they’re also figuring out if you’re a good fit.
If you want a full list, the companion resource in this series is here: 10 essential questions to ask a web designer
For today’s call, here are the high-level categories of questions to be prepared to ask.
Their process
Timeframe and revisions
Ask questions like:
What does your typical timeframe look like?
How many revision rounds are included?
What happens if I’m delayed with content?
Communication
It’s also fair (and smart) to ask:
What’s your communication style?
What’s your response time?
Deliverables
Package details
Make sure you understand what’s included:
What exactly is included in your package?
Will my site be SEO optimized?
What kind of training do you provide?
What happens after launch?
About them and fit
Background and style
These questions help you get a feel for who they are:
Why did you become a web designer?
What types of projects do you enjoy most?
What makes your approach different from other designers?
You can also ask if you can speak with a past client.
Fit check
Bring questions that help you both be honest:
Do you think my project is a good fit for you?
Are there any potential challenges you foresee?
What else will you need from me to make this project successful?
What to Avoid on the Call
A few things can make a consult call awkward fast, so here’s what not to do.
Don’t treat it like a job interview. This isn’t adversarial. You’re both exploring fit, so show up with enthusiasm for your project.
Don’t be vague. This is the worst time to be cagey about what you want. Be clear about what’s not working and what you’re hoping for.
Don’t ask for free strategy or design work. Questions like “What would you do with my site?” put the designer in a spot where you’re asking them to work for free.
Don’t hide your budget. It wastes everybody’s time.
The one exception: paid discovery calls
Some designers offer paid discovery calls. These are longer, often an hour or more, and they’re designed for deeper strategy discussions. You’re paying for their time and expertise, so you can walk away with a real strategy whether or not you hire them for the full project.
If you’re looking for a similar kind of paid, focused support, you can explore this option: Squarespace Power Hour consultation service
What to Expect After Your Call
Most designers will send a follow-up email within a day or two. If you both decide it’s a good fit, they may also generate a proposal and quote, and they’ll usually be available to answer any follow-up questions.
If it’s not a fit for one or both of you, ideally, they’ll refer you to someone else who may be a better match.
If the designer disappears and you don’t hear back, that’s valuable information too.
Conclusion
Showing up prepared for your consultation call makes you a dream client before you’ve even hired anyone. It shows you’re organized, you value your time (and the designer’s time), and you’re serious about your business and this investment. Most importantly, it helps you get real value from that short 20 to 30-minute conversation. A little prep turns the call into a real next step, not just a quick chat.
If this helped you feel more ready for your first discovery call, please share it with another business owner who’s in the same boat!
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