Website Content Checklist: What to Prepare First

The biggest delay in almost every website project is not design or code — it is waiting for content. Having your text, photos and details ready before you start means a faster launch, fewer revisions and often a lower price. Use this checklist to prepare everything in one go.

Before you write anything: three decisions

1. Who is your ideal client? Parents of Year 11 students? Busy professionals who want to lose weight? Startups needing a logo? Write for one person.
2. What is the one action you want visitors to take? Usually "message me on WhatsApp" or "book a trial session".
3. What makes you different? A specific niche, experience, a method, results or availability. This becomes your headline.

Brand basics

• Business name exactly as you want it displayed.
• Logo in high resolution (SVG or a large PNG with transparent background), if you have one.
• Brand colours, or two or three websites whose style you like.
• Domain name you own, or a shortlist of options.

Home page

• A headline (under about 10 words) saying who you help and how.
• A one or two sentence subheading expanding on it.
• Three to five key benefits or reasons to choose you.
• Two or three short testimonials.
• Your main call to action.

About page

• Your story in 150–300 words: why you do this work and who you help.
• Qualifications, certifications and years of experience.
• A professional but friendly photo of you.
• Your approach or method, in plain language.

Services and pricing

• A list of services, each with a short description.
• Who each service is for and what is included.
• Session length, format (online, in-person, group) and locations.
• Prices or starting prices, and any packages.
• Your cancellation and rescheduling policy.

Social proof

• Five to ten testimonials, with first name and context (e.g. "Aisha, parent of a Year 9 student"). Always get permission.
• Results you can share honestly, with consent.
• Logos of schools, companies or organisations you have worked with, if you have permission to use them.

Photos

Real photos beat stock photos for personal services. Aim for:

• One or two portraits in good natural light.
• Photos of you working — teaching, training, designing.
• Your workspace, studio or the places you train, if relevant.

Modern phones take perfectly good website photos. Shoot in daylight, keep backgrounds simple, and take many options. Never use photos from Google Images unless you are sure you have the rights — many are copyrighted.

Contact details

• WhatsApp number (see how to set up the button).
• Email address, ideally on your own domain.
• Areas served and working hours.
• Social media links you actively use.

FAQ

List the ten questions clients ask you most often and write short, honest answers. This becomes a valuable page that reduces repetitive messages and helps SEO.

Legal pages

• Privacy policy — required if you collect any personal data, including via contact forms or analytics.
• Terms and conditions — especially if you take payments or bookings online.

Make sure these reflect what your site actually does, and consider having them reviewed if your business handles sensitive data.

SEO basics to note down

• Five to ten phrases clients might search, e.g. "maths tutor Mirdif" (see our local SEO guide).
• The areas or emirates you serve.
• Your Google Business Profile, if you already have one.

Writing tips

• Write like you talk to a client — simple, warm and direct.
• Use "you" more than "I".
• Short paragraphs and bullet points read better on phones.
• Be specific: "I've helped 60+ students improve at least one grade" beats "I get great results".

Once your content is ready, a small custom website can be built in about a week. See how we work, or read how to choose a web designer.