Things to Consider When You Build a Website for your Company

Most of the website problems we’re brought in to fix could have been avoided upfront. Not because the design was poor, but because some fundamental decisions were made in a hurry, or not made at all.

Here’s what’s worth thinking through properly before anything else.

1. Know what the website is actually for

It sounds obvious, but a surprising number of business websites don’t have a clear answer. Is it to generate enquiries? Drive foot traffic? Showcase past work? Sell products directly? The answer changes everything.. the structure, the content, the calls to action, what success even looks like.

A website trying to do too many things usually does all of them badly. Pick a primary purpose and build around that.

2. Sort your domain name early

Short, memorable, easy to spell, that’s the brief. Your domain is also your email address, so something clean like hello@yourbusiness.com.au looks a lot more professional than a 30-character scramble.

If your first-choice domain is taken, a slight variation is usually fine. Don’t sacrifice clarity for an exact match.

3. Choose the right platform

For most business websites, WordPress is the right call. It’s flexible, well-supported, and you own your content outright. For online stores, Shopify is generally what we recommend. It’s purpose-built for ecommerce in a way that WordPress with WooCommerce often isn’t. Custom solutions exist for edge cases, but they’re rarer than people think and significantly more expensive to maintain.

4. Make sure your design matches your brand

Your website should look like it belongs to the same business as your business cards, signage, and social media. Consistent colours, fonts, and visual tone aren’t just aesthetics. They build recognition and trust over time.

If your branding is inconsistent or outdated, it’s worth sorting that out before you build a new site, not after.

5. Have your content ready

The number one thing that blows out website project timelines is waiting for content. Design can start without it. It can’t finish without it. Start thinking about your copy, images, and key messages at the same time you engage a designer not when they ask for it.

If writing isn’t your strength, hire a copywriter. The difference it makes to the finished site is significant.