Discovery Call is your chance to clearly communicate what you’re looking for in a new website and make the most of the developer’s expertise. The more prepared you are, the smoother the conversation will be. Think of it as setting the foundation: you’ll outline your goals, share what you already have, and discuss the features you need.
This preparation not only saves time but also ensures you get practical insights and realistic next steps from the call. Here’s a simple checklist to help you prepare and get the best outcome from your Discovery Call.
Table of Contents
Define Your Website Goals Clearly
Before the Discovery Call, take some time to think about why you want this website and what you want it to achieve. Having clear goals will help guide the conversation and make sure the developer understands your priorities from the start.
Ask yourself:
- What problem am I trying to solve with this website?
- What are my main business objectives—more leads, more sales, better branding, or something else?
- What does success look like six months after launch?
The clearer you are on your goals, the easier it will be to shape the right approach during the call.
Know Your Target Audience Well
Your website should be built with your audience in mind, not just your business. Before the Discovery Call, think about who you’re trying to reach. Consider details like age, location, interests, and online behaviors. What are their needs and expectations when they land on your site? Having this clarity will help the developer design a user experience that speaks directly to your audience.
Prepare Your Existing Assets and Materials
If you already have a website, gather any data or insights you can share, such as traffic reports or user feedback. Pull together your brand guidelines, logos, and color palettes so the developer understands your style from the start. It’s also helpful to collect examples of websites you admire (or dislike) to show your preferences more clearly. Having these materials ready will make the conversation smoother and more productive.
List Key Features and Functionality Needed
Every website has a purpose and features bring that purpose to life. Think about the essential functionality your project requires, such as e commerce, booking systems, contact forms, or integrations with other tools. Make a clear list of your must have features compared to nice to have ones. This helps the developer prioritize what matters most to you and gives structure to the planning process.
Confused about Website? Read What is a website and why you must have one?
Budget and Timeline Considerations
Being upfront about your budget and timeline helps set realistic expectations from the beginning. You do not need exact numbers, but having a range in mind will guide the conversation. Also consider whether you have any hard deadlines such as a product launch, event, or campaign that the website needs to align with. Sharing this early ensures the developer can propose a solution that works within your constraints.
Questions to Ask Your Web Developer
Prepare questions that help you understand how they will solve your unique challenges and deliver value. Focus on specifics that make a difference to your project:
- How would you approach my project differently than a standard website?
- What challenges do you foresee for my type of website and how would you address them?
- Can you suggest features or integrations that could improve user experience or conversions?
- How do you ensure the site can scale or adapt as my business grows?
- What measures do you take to keep the site secure and fast under real-world traffic?
Gather Inspirations and References
Before the Discovery Call, gather websites, apps, or design elements that catch your eye. Think about what you like in terms of layout, colors, navigation, or features. Look at competitor websites and note what works well and what doesn’t. Having these examples ready will make it easier to communicate your preferences and give the developer a clear understanding of your vision.
Read More: Website Glossary to Know Before You Hire a Web Developer
Identify the Right Stakeholders
A project moves faster and smoother when the right people are involved from the start. Before the Discovery Call, identify the decision makers who need to approve the project or give feedback. This might include business owners, marketing leads, or IT staff. Decide who will be the main point of contact during the project so communication stays clear and efficient. Knowing who is responsible for what will prevent delays later on.
Understand Next Steps After the Call
Knowing what happens after the Discovery Call helps you plan and stay informed. Typically, you can expect:
- A summary of the discussion and key takeaways.
- A proposal with scope, timeline, and costs.
- Recommendations for next meetings or follow-up actions.
Being aware of this process keeps the momentum going and avoids confusion.
Tips for a Smooth and Productive Call
Keep the call simple and focused by being open about your goals, challenges, and constraints. Have all relevant documents, notes, or references ready to share. Choose a quiet space with minimal distractions so you can focus on the conversation. Being prepared in these ways makes the call more effective and productive.
Discovery Call FAQs | Your Questions Answered
What is a Discovery Call and why is it important?
A Discovery Call is the first conversation with a web developer to discuss your project. It helps you clarify your goals, share your ideas, and understand how the developer can help bring your vision to life. Being prepared makes the call more productive and efficient.
What should I prepare before a Discovery Call?
Gather your website goals, target audience details, current assets like logos or brand guidelines, examples of websites you like, a rough budget, and any deadlines. Having these ready ensures the conversation is focused and actionable.
Who should attend the Discovery Call from my side?
Include decision-makers and the main point of contact for the project. This helps in getting approvals quickly and ensures that feedback and decisions are aligned from the start.
What questions should I ask a web developer during the call?
Ask about their approach to your specific project, potential challenges, recommended features or integrations, scalability, and how they ensure security, speed, and SEO. Focus on questions that help you understand how they will solve your unique challenges.
What happens after a Discovery Call?
Usually, you will receive a summary of the discussion, a proposal with scope, timeline, and costs, and recommendations for next steps. Knowing this helps you plan ahead and keeps the project moving smoothly.
Ready to bring your website or marketing vision to life? Let’s talk and plan the next steps together.
