Website Prep Guide: What You Need Before Hiring a Designer
Website Prep Guide: What You Need Before Hiring a Designer
Hiring a web designer is a smart move—especially for a restaurant that’s growing or rebranding. But if you’re not quite ready with the right materials or clarity, the process can quickly become overwhelming, delayed, or more expensive than it needs to be.
As a Squarespace Gold member who’s built 20+ websites for restaurants and small businesses, I always tell clients this:
The smoother the prep, the smoother the project.
Here’s what you need before you reach out to a web designer—so you’re set up for success from day one.
1. A Clear Business Name + Domain Idea
Make sure your restaurant name is finalized. If you haven’t secured your domain name, search for availability on sites like GoDaddy or Google Domains.
💡 Bonus tip: If your exact domain isn’t available, consider adding keywords like:
eat[restaurantname].com[restaurantname]kitchen.comdinewith[restaurantname].com
Already have a domain? Great—have those login credentials ready for your designer.
2. Logo + Brand Assets (Or a Plan to Create Them)
If you have a logo, share:
High-resolution files (preferably in PNG and SVG format)
Any alternate logo versions (horizontal, icon-only, etc.)
Brand colors and fonts
Existing brand style guide (if available)
Don’t have branding yet? No problem—but be clear whether you need your designer to create one for you, or if you’re hiring a separate brand designer.
🎨 Pro tip: Your logo should work well digitally (not just on a menu or sign).
3. Website Goals + Must-Haves
What do you want your site to do?
Think beyond “I need a website” and list your specific goals. For example:
Showcase your menu
Take reservations
Sell merch or gift cards
Promote events or catering
Connect your Instagram feed
Share your brand story or press
Knowing your goals helps your designer prioritize features and structure the site effectively.
4. Menu Files (Digital-Ready)
Whether you offer brunch, dinner, tasting menus, or seasonal specials, you’ll need clean, organized menu content. This could be:
A PDF
A Google Doc
Copy/paste text with formatting instructions
Make sure the pricing, descriptions, and formatting are up to date. Bonus points if you include allergen info or dietary icons!
5. Great Photos (or a Plan for a Shoot)
Your website will only look as good as your photography.
If you have professional food, interior, or team photos—gather those in a shared Google Drive or Dropbox folder.
Don’t have photos yet? That’s okay! Just let your designer know early on so they can:
Use temporary stock photos
Help you plan a shoot
Design the site around future visuals
📷 Need a referral? Ask your designer—they likely have photographers they trust.
6. About Page Copy or Talking Points
Even a short intro helps. Think about:
Your restaurant’s origin story
Your chef’s background
What makes your food or experience unique
Your mission, values, or neighborhood connection
It doesn’t have to be perfect—your designer or copywriter can help polish it. But it’s helpful to provide a starting point.
7. Contact Details + Location Info
At minimum, have these details ready:
Address
Phone number
Email address
Business hours
Social links
Reservation platform (if any)
You should also decide whether you want:
A contact form
Newsletter sign-up
Embedded map
Live chat or third-party integrations
8. A Few Website Examples You Like (and Why)
Designers love visuals. If you’ve seen other restaurant websites you admire, save the links and make notes:
What do you like about them?
Is it the layout, colors, typography, navigation, or overall vibe?
This helps us understand your style preferences and tailor the design to your taste.
9. Your Budget + Timeline
Be honest and upfront about your budget range and ideal launch date.
This helps your designer:
Propose realistic solutions
Suggest the right package or scope
Book you into their calendar appropriately
⏳ Web design is a process—the more clarity you bring, the faster it flows.
10. Openness to Collaboration
The best projects happen when you come in with ideas but stay open to expert guidance. You don’t need to have all the answers—but you do need to trust the process.
Designers do their best work when clients are:
Responsive
Communicative
Respectful of creative timelines
Open to strategy, not just aesthetics
The Bottom Line: Preparation Pays Off
Hiring a web designer should feel exciting—not overwhelming. When you show up prepared with the right materials, you’ll:
✅ Save time
✅ Stay on budget
✅ Get a better end result
✅ Make the whole process smoother—for both of you
Ready to Build a Website That Reflects Your Restaurant?
I help restaurants bring their brand to life online—with custom, strategy-driven Squarespace websites that work as hard as you do.
🔗 Book a free website consult
🔗 See restaurant website projects
🔗 Download the Website Prep Checklist
