You’ve committed to launching your new website quickly. You’ve embraced the agile, MVP mindset and you're ready to build. But before you log into HubSpot and drag-and-drop your first module, there's one crucial step that will determine whether your project flies or fails: preparation.
Ask anyone who has ever been involved in a website project what the single biggest cause of delays is, and they will all give you the same answer: "We were waiting for the content."
A website is just an empty container until you fill it with words, images, and branding. If you try to gather these things during the build, your one-week sprint will quickly turn into a three-month crawl.
To ensure a rapid, stress-free launch, you need to have your building blocks ready before day one of the build. This guide is your definitive checklist. Create a single folder on your computer, let's call it your "Website Launch Kit", and start gathering these essentials.
1. Your Core Four: The Essential Page Copy
Don't try to write copy for 20 different pages. For a fast launch, you only need four. Write them in a simple document, focusing on clarity and value.
- The Homepage: This is your digital storefront. The copy must immediately answer:
- What do you do? (Your value proposition in a single, clear headline).
- What problem do you solve? (A brief paragraph that shows you understand the customer's pain point).
- How will you make their life better? (Three key benefits, explained concisely).
- The About Us Page: People buy from people. This page builds trust.
- Tell your story: Why did you start this business? What is your mission?
- Introduce the team: Include a short bio and a friendly photo of the key people in your business. Keep it human and relatable.
- The Services/Product Page: This is where you detail your offer.
- Focus on outcomes, not just features: Instead of saying "Our software has a reporting dashboard," say "Get instant clarity on your performance with our one-click reporting dashboard."
- Structure it clearly: Use headings and bullet points to make the information easy to scan.
- The Contact Us Page: Make it effortless for leads to get in touch.
- Provide multiple options: Include a simple contact form, your business email address, and a phone number if relevant.
- Set expectations: Let them know when they can expect a response (e.g., "We'll get back to you within 24 hours").
2. Your Brand Identity Kit
Consistent branding makes your website look professional and trustworthy. Gather these visual assets in your launch kit folder.
- Your Logo: You need a high-resolution version. Ideally, save it as a PNG file with a transparent background. This will ensure it looks sharp and clean on any background colour.
- Your Brand Colours: Don't just guess. Find the exact HEX codes for your brand's primary and secondary colours (e.g.,
#00A3E0). You will need these to configure your website theme. - Your Brand Fonts: Know the names of the fonts you use for your headings and body text (e.g., Montserrat, Lato).
- A Handful of High-Quality Images: You don't need a massive library. Start with:
- A professional headshot of yourself or your team.
- A few images of your product in action or your team at work.
- One or two high-quality, relevant stock images if you don't have your own.
3. Your Essential Trust Signals
For a visitor landing on your site for the first time, you are an unknown quantity. You need to build credibility instantly.
- Customer Testimonials: Do you have a happy customer? Email them and ask for a one or two-sentence quote about their experience working with you. These are marketing gold.
- Social Proof: Have your company's LinkedIn URL ready to link to. If you have any industry awards or certifications, get the logo files for those as well.
Your Secret Weapon: The "Ready-to-Go" Folder
Once you have all of the above organised into a single, clearly labelled folder, the magic happens. The website build itself transforms from a creative, time-consuming puzzle into a simple assembly job.
Instead of stopping to write copy or search for a logo, you can simply open your folder, copy the text, and upload the images. This preparation is what turns a project that takes most companies months into a task you can complete in a few focused days.
Don't let a lack of preparation kill your momentum. Spend a day getting your launch kit in order, and you'll be on the fast track to a professional, lead-generating website.
