How to Prepare Content for Your New Website: A Complete Checklist

One of the biggest delays in website projects is waiting for content. Whether you're working with a web developer or building your site yourself, having your content prepared in advance will dramatically speed up the process and result in a better final product.

Why Content Preparation Matters

Your website content is the foundation of your online presence. It tells your story, showcases your services, and convinces visitors to become customers. Rushing through content creation often leads to:

Generic, uninspiring copy
Missing information that customers need
Delays in launch timelines
Additional revision rounds (and costs)

The Complete Content Preparation Checklist

1. Business Information

Gather these basic details about your business:

2. About Your Business

Write compelling content about:

What makes your business unique
Your team members (names, roles, bios)
Your company values and culture
Awards, certifications, or credentials
Your origin story (why you started the business)

3. Services/Products

For each service or product, document:

4. Visual Assets

Collect or plan to create:

Logo (high-resolution PNG or SVG)
Brand colors (hex codes)
Professional photos of your team
Product or service images
Office or workspace photos
Icons or graphics (if you have them)

5. Customer Proof

Gather social proof elements:

Customer testimonials (with permission to use names)
Case studies or success stories
Before/after examples
Client logos (with permission)
Statistics or results you've achieved

6. Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Decide what actions you want visitors to take:

Primary CTA (e.g., "Schedule Consultation")
Secondary CTA (e.g., "Get a Quote")
Contact form questions
Newsletter signup copy
Download offers (e.g., free guides)

7. SEO Keywords

Research and list:

Primary keywords for your industry
Location-based keywords (if local business)
Service-specific keywords
Questions customers ask
Competitor keywords

8. Legal & Compliance

Don't forget these important pages:

Content Organization Tips

Use a Shared Document

Create a Google Doc or Word document with all your content organized by page. This makes it easy to share with your developer and track progress.

Write in Plain Language

Avoid jargon and write as if you're explaining your business to a friend. Clear, conversational content converts better than corporate speak.

Keep It Concise

Website visitors scan rather than read. Use:

Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences)
Bullet points for lists
Subheadings to break up text
Bold text for key points

Focus on Benefits, Not Features

Instead of: "We offer 24/7 customer support" Try: "Get help whenever you need it with our round-the-clock support team"

What If You Need Help with Content?

Not a writer? That's okay! At Lexis Sapphire & Co, we can help with:

Content strategy and planning
Copywriting services (additional fee)
Content review and editing
SEO optimization

Even if you're not ready to write everything yourself, having the basic information gathered (business details, services, contact info) will give us a solid foundation to work from.

Ready to Start Your Website Project?

With your content prepared, you're ready to move forward! Our subscription-based web development service makes it easy and affordable to get a professional website for your small business.

Download our free Website Launch Checklist [blocked] or start your project now [blocked].