Website Content Checklist

By Lara • 16 June 2024

Website content is often the bottleneck in web development agency projects. During VIP intensives, if no website-ready content is available, it can lead to significant time wastage, making it impossible for me to accomplish everything in the timeframe.

This general checklist provides most of what you may need for a brochure website.

The content requirements are much more extensive for dynamic sites such as membership, LMS, or e-commerce.

  • Logo – A .svg or .png with a transparent background.
  • Favicon – size of 512px x 512px or larger
  • Social media profile links
  • Opt-in text
  • Header Inclusions – Such as logo, list of menu items and their order
    For this website (lara.net.au/) I have simple desktop header with 1 row (I previously had 2) with a logo and primary menu
    My mobile header logo and trigger. The menu has a ‘book a call’ button, menu & social media links.
  • Footer Inclusions such as menus, logo, opt-in etc
    For this website (lara.net.au/) I have 3 rows in my footer
    Top Row – 2 sections – Social media icons, second with a button to log in that links to my client portal.
    Middle row – 3 sections – my secondary logo and 2 menus
    Bottom Row – 2 sections – copyright and footer menu of legal pages
  • Sidebar widget options: A sidebar can be added to the site and some of the widgets you may like to add are your opt-in, recent posts, contact block, categories, authors

  • Images are crucial content for your website. Refer to my blog on website images for the minimum sizes required and file types.
  • Testimonials including images
  • FAQs – Its good to have a short FAQ on each page
  • Blog: If you want a blog, you will need a blog page and categories. It’s best to have one blog post ready to go and at least one featured image so the blog layout can be designed.

  • Header/Hero Image
  • Hero Headline and Tagline
  • Page text, including sections with heading, text and CTAs
  • Page Images and background images

If you have any specific ideas for the page layouts or design, provide a list of ideas with examples (links to pages are super helpful in helping to get your idea understood)

  • All text and Images and directions for what you would like to hav on this page such as phone number (s), email address(es), social media links.
  • Contact form fields, including the required field and submit actions
    Such as sending an email with the subject ‘XYZ’ and the email address where it should be sent.
  • If you would like a Google Maps embed, mention this so this can be added to the design and the API setup

I am a web developer, not a lawyer, so I cannot provide legal advice.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Anything that you need for your business to keep it legal.
  • Copyright wording

I have some general information on legals here: Do I need legal pages on a website.

  • Heading and text for subscribe box or popup
  • Button text
  • API + form fields or form embed code

Most EDM services take their time to approve new accounts, usually 24-48 hours, so if you need this added to your website, ensure you have ample time to set it up.

  • Analytics – I can install Google Analytics for you, but I will need the header code to install or access the code myself.
  • Facebook Pixel for ads
  • Live chat script – If you wish to use a chatbot, I can install the script for you

Any SEO copy that you would like added to each page, such as Meta Title, Meta Description, Schema, etc

As you can see, you may need to prepare a considerable amount of content before your VIP Intensive.

My checklist is the basics, but Solid WP has a thorough checklist that is worth looking at.

The Ultimate Content Checklist by Solid WP

My Website Content Guidelines

I aim to have every page on my website indexed on Google so that it will become the first impression someone will see of my business. These are the guidelines I follow:

  • Mobile First: Google indexes mobile first; most visitors are generally mobile.
  • Skimmable Text: Headings and snappy sentences will satisfy scrollers using their mobile phones. Reading text in small, easy-to-read chunks is easier than big slabs with long sentences and large paragraphs.
  • Make it logical and avoid fluff: People come to your website to find information, so make it easy for them to do so.
  • Hero Headline: A catchy headline in the hero should describe the page’s topic and entice readers to read further down the page.
  • Remember the Visuals: Images can make or break your website. Yes, they cost money, but without quality images, you could potentially lose money in lost sales.
  • There should be at least 1 Call to Action on each page. There should not be learn more or read more buttons. If you have a button that leads somewhere, make it enticing to click.

I have always hired copywriters to write my website. Although I have changed the words over time, they have always started with a professional.

I write my own blog posts, though. They are the thoughts and content I have written to educate. Blogs and website copy have different purposes, are written in different styles, and have different page layouts.

Are Professional Copywriters Worth It?

Creating copy that speaks to your audience and captures their attention can be a real struggle for most people.

I am a WordPress web developer, not a copywriter, so whilst I know what you need, I cannot write the words for you within your VIP intensive. I am a technical SEO, which does not involve copywriting. I optimise copy but do not write it from scratch.

SEO Website copywriters are worth their weight in gold, but not every copywriter has SEO skills or excels at website copywriting. While you may have a brilliant copywriter for your blogs, social media captions or packaging, they may not necessarily be great website copywriters.

Excellent website copy considers how the words will be used on the site. The content (pictures and words) dictates the design, so I will not design a website with temporary text. You are required to provide all your content before I start work on your project.

Professional copywriting services are not part of my services, but if you need help with your content creation, I can recommend some great copywriters.

Do you need assistance with your website content?

Creating the copy alone can be challenging. Finding the time to combine the words between meetings, client work, and your social calendar can be hard.

If you don’t want to take it all on yourself. I have friends who are fantastic copywriters (in various industries), and I am happy to refer you.

Also, if you require any brand assets, such as a Logo, Favicon, or colour palette, please let me know, and I can connect you with some of my branding friends.

Until next time,

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