Since I opened my web design business in 2021, I’ve noticed that those who contact me for a website always say: “I need a website.” And I understand. In their minds, it’s often THE missing piece, the thing that will make them credible, that will “look professional.”
Except that… a website isn’t just “a website.”
A website has a purpose, an objective. It’s a function, a tool that should serve you. And if you choose the wrong type, you can have the most beautiful design in the world, but it won’t work for you.
So when someone tells me: I need a website, I don’t hear “I need a design.” I hear instead: “I need a tool. And I want to choose the right one.”
And that’s exactly why, depending on what the client wants to do with their site, I can guide them toward the right type or the right combination.
If you want to understand the different types first, I’ll let you discover the types of sites that exist: The 7 most common types of websites
How do I choose with a client?
I start with a simple question:
What do you want people to do when they arrive on your site?
The answer to this question is already 50% of the work. Because if your site doesn’t push toward a clear action, it just becomes a presence, something that exists but doesn’t produce.
The answer gives me the site’s objective. I immediately hear if your main objective is:
- To be contacted
- To sell
- To book appointments
- To inform and attract
- To provide training
And right there, we see the direction to take.
I ask the right questions
Because an objective is good, but the reality of your business is even better.
Here’s what I dig into with each client:
- Who is your ideal client? Not “everyone.” Your real client. The one who needs you, who can afford you, who understands your value. This will influence the tone, design, and features.
- How do you want people to find you? Google? Social media? Word of mouth? Advertising? That changes everything. If no one is searching for you on Google, there’s no point betting everything on SEO. If you’re active on Instagram, your site needs to be optimized to convert social traffic.
- Do you want to manage your site yourself or not? Some want to be autonomous. Others prefer to delegate. This determines the platform (WordPress, Shopify, custom) and the level of training needed.
- What’s your realistic budget? To propose what’s feasible now, and what we can add later. A good site is also a site that evolves.
- Do you already have content (texts, photos, videos)? Because design isn’t everything. The real challenge is often the content. If you’re starting from scratch, you need to plan time and maybe some support.
The trap to avoid
I’ve seen so many projects blocked because they wanted the perfect site from the start. E-commerce + blog + membership area + appointment booking + automated newsletter…
Result? The project never gets finished. Or it costs a fortune. Or worse, the site is so complex that no one knows how to use it.
My advice: start with the essential, the main objective, the one that will make you money or save you time now. The rest, you add later, when it’s really necessary.
A solid showcase site with a good contact form is better than a half-finished catch-all site.
And if your objective changes along the way?
That’s normal. Your business evolves. What was a priority 6 months ago might not be anymore today. That’s why a good site is a site designed to evolve. Not set in stone. With a clean foundation, a clear structure, and the ability to add functions without breaking everything.
What's important to remember
A website must serve an objective. Not just exist. Not just “look pretty.” It must work for you, attract the right people, and push them toward the action you want them to take.
So the real question is: “What do I want my site to do for me?”
