Website Design & Development Sample Brief

Creating a strong project brief is one of the most valuable steps you can take to ensure your web design or development project runs smoothly. Whether you’re working with a freelancer or a full-service agency, a well-structured brief helps align expectations, avoid confusion, and keep everyone focused on what really matters. Below, we’ve outlined the key elements every client brief should include — complete with examples — to help you clearly communicate your vision and requirements from the outset.

So, here we go:

1. Project Overview

Provide a brief overview of the project, including key objectives, background information, and purpose.

**Example:**
We are seeking the design and development of a website for XYZ Co., a leading supplier of eco-friendly packaging solutions. The website's primary goal is to showcase our products, highlight our sustainability efforts, and provide an easy-to-use platform for both B2B and B2C customers. We want the site to communicate our values, grow brand awareness, and increase online conversions.

2. Company Background

Give a description of your company, its mission, values, target audience, and current market position.

**Example:**
XYZ Co. is committed to reducing plastic waste by providing biodegradable and recyclable packaging solutions to businesses and consumers worldwide. Our customers range from small businesses to large corporations, with a growing consumer base for individual eco-conscious buyers. Our brand focuses on sustainability, innovation, and quality.

3. Target Audience

Define your target audience in detail, including demographics, behaviors, and preferences.

**Example:**
Our primary target audience includes:

• B2B customers: Manufacturers, retailers, food and beverage companies looking for sustainable packaging solutions.
• B2C customers: Environmentally conscious consumers, aged 18-45, with an interest in reducing plastic usage.

4. Project Scope & Requirements

Outline what is required in the design and development process, including functionality, features, and integrations.

**Example:**

Pages

• Home
• About Us
• Sustainability
• Blog
• Contact

Features:

• Blog/news section for sustainability tips and industry news
• Wholesale order forms for B2B customers
• Newsletter sign-up
• Social media integrations

Integrations:

• CRM system (HubSpot)
• Google Analytics
• Live chat (e.g., Zendesk)

5. Design Style & Preferences

Describe the desired look and feel of the website, including inspiration, branding, colors, typography, and tone.

**Example:**

• Look & Feel: Clean, modern, and professional design that reflects our commitment to sustainability.
• Branding: Use of eco-friendly colors (greens, earth tones) consistent with our branding. Typography should be legible and align with our logo's sleek style.
• Tone: Informative, approachable, and trustworthy. Content should be easily digestible, focusing on educating customers about sustainable packaging solutions.

6. Website Inspiration

Provide examples of websites, explaining what you like or dislike about them (https://land-book.com/ is a good tool for finding inspiration!).

**Example:**

• Example 1: www.greenpackaging.com – We like their clear navigation and the focus on sustainability, but we find their design too basic.
• Example 2: www.ecoproducts.com – Their product pages are very detailed, and the filtering options are excellent, but the mobile experience could be improved.

7. Project Timeline

Specify the timeline for the project, including key milestones and deadlines.

**Example:**

1. Project start: October 10, 2024
2. Launch: January 15, 2025

8. Budget

Indicate the project budget range or request estimates from vendors.

**Example:**
Our budget for this project is £3,000 to £5,000, depending on the final scope and features.

9. Additional Information

Mention any additional information or specific requests not covered above.

**Example:**
We would like a site that can easily be expanded in the future, with scalability in mind for new product categories or additional functionality like customer accounts and order tracking.