The smartest web design questions to ask clients are the ones that set you up for success before the first mockup is ever created. Asking the right things early on leads to clearer goals, smoother workflows, fewer revisions, and happier clients. This isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about starting strong so everyone stays aligned. Use this guide as your go-to for onboarding new clients and avoiding missteps down the road. This guide is intended to help professional web design companies plan their projects in the right way.
Questions About the Client’s Business and Goals
What does your business do, and who do you serve?
You need to understand the client’s business as well as they do. What product or service do they offer? Who’s their ideal customer? The more clarity you get here, the easier it’ll be to design something that actually speaks to their audience.
What are your primary goals for the new website?
Some clients want more leads. Others want a better brand presence or faster load times. Make them define what success looks like—whether that’s increased sales, SEO improvements, better UX, or all of the above.
Who are your main competitors?
This helps you identify what others in their space are doing—and what they’re not. It also gives you a sense of industry trends and how to differentiate the client’s site visually and strategically.
Questions About Branding and Visual Style
Do you have existing brand guidelines or a logo?
One of the first web design questions to ask clients is what branding assets they already have. A logo, color palette, fonts, or style guide can give you a huge head start. If they don’t have anything, that’s a sign you’ll need to build their visual identity from the ground up.
Are there any websites you like (and why)?
This question helps decode their design taste. Are they into clean minimalism or bold visuals? Do they prefer text-heavy layouts or large imagery? Understanding what they like—and why—saves you from shooting in the dark.
Are there any styles you want to avoid?
Equally important: what don’t they want? This helps you steer clear of designs they’ve seen too often, styles that feel off-brand, or anything they strongly dislike. It also reduces revision rounds later.
Questions About Content and Structure
What pages do you need on the site?
Get a full page list early. Common ones include Home, About, Services, Blog, and Contact—but every business is different. Knowing the sitemap from the start helps you plan layout, navigation, and content flow.
Do you have existing content, or will you need help creating it?
This is a key question. Some clients already have content; others will need copywriting support. Be clear about who’s writing what so content creation doesn’t become a last-minute scramble.
Will you be providing images, or do you need stock photography?
Photos make or break a site’s design. Ask if they have high-quality images ready or if they’ll need help sourcing stock. Setting expectations here helps avoid gaps when you’re ready to build.
Questions About Features and Functionality
What specific features does your site need?
Some of the most important web design questions to ask clients are about functionality. Do they need contact forms, live chat, an event calendar, booking system, or eCommerce setup? Knowing this early lets you plan for the right tools, structure, and budget.
Do you need integrations with any tools?
Ask if the client uses CRMs, email marketing platforms, payment gateways, or anything else that needs to connect to the site. Integrations can impact scope and timeline, so get a list of tools they rely on from the start.
Is accessibility (ADA compliance) a priority for your brand?
Not every client thinks about this—but they should. Ask if accessibility matters to them and explain why it’s important for user experience and legal protection. Designing with inclusion in mind should be part of the conversation.
Questions About Budget, Timeline, and Process
What’s your budget range?
No one likes talking about money—but it’s necessary. Getting a rough budget early helps you propose realistic solutions and avoid wasting time on features that don’t fit the scope.
When would you like the site to go live?
Some clients need a site yesterday, others have flexible timelines. Ask for their ideal launch date, then work backward to build a realistic production schedule with key milestones.
Who will be the main point of contact on your team?
Too many voices = confusion. Identify who makes final decisions, approves designs, and delivers content. A single point of contact keeps communication smooth and the project on track.
Conclusion: Start Smart, Finish Strong
Getting clear answers to the right web design questions to ask clients sets the tone for a smooth, successful project. It helps you avoid guesswork, reduce revisions, and build a site that actually meets their goals.
Want to make onboarding even easier? Download our free client intake checklist to use for your next project—it’s everything you need to start smart. Partner with the right web design agency to ensure your project runs smoothly.
