What Clients Should Know Before Starting a Website/App Project

In the rush to go digital, many clients sprint into web or app projects with excitement… but without a map. That’s like building a house without a blueprint—you might get walls, but will they stand? Whether you’re launching a sleek portfolio site or the next big app, here’s what every client needs to understand before writing that first check or DMing that dev team. 1. Strategy Comes Before Screens Don’t start with “I want a home page with sliders and buttons.” Start with: Design isn’t decoration—it’s a solution to a problem. A beautiful site that doesn’t convert or an app that no one uses is just digital clutter.  Tip: Write a one-paragraph problem statement + one goal. If you can’t do that yet, you’re not ready to build. 2. The story, not the dream, is defined by your budget. On a budget for a studio apartment, you wouldn’t expect a mansion, would you? Software is no different. Be open and honest about:  Be wary of requests that ask, “Can you add just one more thing?” Timelines and finances are destroyed by scope creep.  3. What You Consider “Just a Small Feature” May Actually Be Very Important: Including a blog. It’s simple. Do you want third-party integrations and conditional dashboard access for user roles? Not quite as simple. The technical significance of features is often underestimated by clients. It requires more time (and testing) the more intricate the underlying logic. Consider user flows rather than features. Question: What occurs prior to, during, and following the user’s click?  4. Design Is More Than Just “Appearance” Behavior is just as important to modern design as aesthetics. The response is: The best user interface/user experience is imperceptible. Trust the design reasoning behind pixels instead of micromanaging them. Bonus: Prior to going full-color, always request low-fidelity wireframes. Feedback is thus kept on flow rather than using fonts. Your website/app is the car. Content is the fuel. No content = no movement. You’ll need: Images, icons, team photos Terms & policies (especially for apps or eCommerce)  Come prepared. Or hire a content strategist to help before development begins.  6. Your Developer Is Not a Magician (or Mind Reader) The best client-developer relationships are collaborative. Clients bring:  Communicate. Don’t assume. Ask questions. Be open to suggestions—even if it’s not what you imagined.  7. The Launch Is Only the First Day The majority of clients believe that “going live” is the objective. Not at all. That’s only the beginning. Following launch: Perhaps change or update features Make plans for:  Astute companies set aside as much money for post-launch as for pre-launch.  8. Ethics and the Law Are Required Whether it’s a basic blog or a fully functional app: Transparency is the foundation of trust. Knowing the fundamentals of law helps you avoid major challenges later.  9. Mobile Users Are No Longer Optional The standard, not the exception, is a mobile-responsive design. Ask yourself: Your website or app should be quick, easy to use, and responsive to the device it is on. 10. Wait to begin until you see the roadmap. Prior to starting your project, request the following from your developer or agency: