Why The Website Survey Questions Matter - And How to Answer Them
Date Published
When building a website, it’s easy to fall into the trap of designing it for yourself — the company owner, your team, or internal stakeholders. But here’s the truth:
You are not the one visiting your website to find answers.
Your customers are.
Just like a chef prepares a dish for the guest — not for the kitchen crew — your website should serve your audience’s needs, not just reflect your internal goals.
That’s where my Website Development Survey comes in. It’s more than a checklist — it’s a tool to help you step outside your own perspective and build a site that speaks clearly to the people who matter most: your users.
In this post, I’ll go over:
- Why each survey question is important
- How to answer them effectively
- Tips for finding the right information if you’re unsure
Let’s dive in.
1. Company Overview
Why it matters: This is the foundation. It tells me who you are, what you do, and helps us speak your audience’s language.
How to answer: Provide a 2–3 sentence elevator pitch. What’s unique about your company? What sets you apart from competitors?
Research tips: Look at your “About” page, mission statement, or past marketing materials. If those feel outdated, this is a great time to refresh them.
2. Project Purpose and Goals
Why it matters: Without clear goals, design decisions lack direction.
How to answer: Be honest about what you want. Whether it's increasing leads, getting more online bookings, or improving SEO — the clearer the goal, the better.
Research tips: Review your business metrics. Which areas need improvement? What feedback have you received from customers?
3. Website Content
Why it matters: Content defines structure. Knowing what you plan to publish shapes both design and navigation.
How to answer: List your core pages (e.g., Services, Team, Portfolio) and the kind of content (text, images, videos).
Research tips: Look at similar businesses and how they organize their websites. Brainstorm what content your audience would expect.
4. Competitor & Inspiration Websites
Why it matters: This helps align my vision and understand your aesthetic preferences.
How to answer: Share 2–3 URLs of websites you like (or don’t like) and briefly explain why.
Research tips: Google competitors, browse Behance or Awwwards for web design inspiration, and keep screenshots of what you love.
5. Design Preferences
Why it matters: Design sets the tone for your brand online.
How to answer: Use adjectives like “minimalist,” “playful,” or “corporate.” Mention color schemes or existing visual assets you want to keep.
Research tips: Use Pinterest or Dribbble to explore web design styles. Save examples that speak to you.
6. Desired Features & Functionality
Why it matters: Features impact both user experience and development scope.
How to answer: List must-haves (e.g., contact form, multilingual support) and nice-to-haves.
Research tips: Think of your business process — what tools can the site include to make your work easier or more automated?
7. Target Audience
Why it matters: Knowing your audience guides everything — from messaging to layout.
How to answer: Be as specific as possible: age range, profession, goals, even device usage if you know it.
Research tips: Use analytics or customer surveys. If your business is new, look at your competitors' audiences.
8. Website Languages
Why it matters: Language support affects design layout and CMS setup.
How to answer: Simply state the languages needed and which one is the default.
Research tips: Consider your market or SEO strategy — do you need English for international reach?
9. Brand Identity
Why it matters: Consistent branding increases trust and recognition.
How to answer: Mention whether you already have a logo, color palette, fonts, or a style guide. Share files or links if available.
Research tips: If you don’t have one yet, Canva’s free brand kits or hiring a designer can be a starting point.
10. Domain & Hosting
Why it matters: Technical readiness speeds up development and deployment. Having both a domain and reliable hosting in place helps me plan more effectively.
How to answer: Just say yes or no — and if yes, provide the domain name and hosting provider details.
Research tips:
- If you haven’t registered a domain yet, try to secure one as soon as possible.
- If you don’t have a hosting provider, I can help guide you through choosing a reliable option based on your needs and budget.
Whether you’re aiming for speed, scalability, or simplicity, I can recommend the right setup to match your project.
Final Tips
- Be honest. Don’t answer what you think the agency wants to hear — say what matters to your business.
- Prioritize. If you're not sure on something, say so, and I’ll help you figure it out.
- Stay open-minded. The survey is a starting point. Collaboration shapes the final result.
Completing this survey is the first step to a successful web project. Think of it as your creative brief — a tool that lets you clarify your vision, while giving me the context to make smart design and development choices.