The Fear of Not Knowing Where to Start
A lot of small business owners put off getting a website because they are not sure what is involved. They worry they will be asked technical questions they cannot answer, or that they will slow the project down by not having the right materials ready. That fear keeps good businesses invisible online for years.
The truth is that getting started is simpler than most people expect. You do not need to understand code, hosting, or design. You just need to gather a handful of things about your own business — things you already know. Here is the checklist.
1. A Clear Description of What You Do
Write down, in plain language, what services you offer and who you serve. Not the polished version — just the honest one. 'I do residential plumbing in Sherwood Park and surrounding areas, including emergency callouts' is perfect. This becomes the foundation of your site's content and its local search visibility.
2. Your Service Area
List the cities and communities you actually work in. Edmonton, St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Fort Saskatchewan — whatever is true for you. This matters because local SEO is built on location relevance, and your designer needs to know where to aim your site.
3. Photos of Your Work
Real photos beat stock images every time. Before-and-after shots, your team on the job, your storefront, your finished projects. Phone photos are fine — they just need to be clear and well-lit. If you do not have many, take a few this week. Authentic images build more trust than any polished stock photo ever will.
4. Your Contact Details and Hours
Phone number, email, business address if you have one, and your operating hours. Also decide where you want contact form submissions to go — most businesses want them delivered straight to an email inbox they check daily.
5. Examples of Sites You Like
You do not need to be a designer to have taste. Send two or three websites you think look good, even if they are in a completely different industry. This tells your designer more about your preferences than any written brief.
6. Your Differentiators
What makes you different from the other businesses doing what you do? Faster turnaround, a guarantee, a one-time flat fee with no ongoing hosting costs, decades of local experience — whatever it is, write it down. These become the reasons a visitor chooses you over a competitor.
What You Do Not Need to Prepare
You do not need a logo, a brand guide, or a written marketing strategy. You do not need to know what a domain is or how hosting works. A good designer handles all of that. Your job is to bring the knowledge of your own business — the rest is their craft.
Forge Digital works with Alberta small businesses every week, and the projects that move fastest are the ones where the owner shows up with these six things ready. If you have been meaning to get started, gather what you can and reach out through our contact page. We will take it from there.