Before you dive into design or development, it’s important to understand the documents required to create a website. I’ve seen many projects get delayed or head in the wrong direction simply because this part wasn’t planned properly. Having the right documents ready from the start doesn’t just make the process smoother, it saves time, money, and a lot of back-and-forth.
Whether you’re launching your first site or upgrading an old one, this guide will walk you through exactly what you need.
Why Do You Need Documents Before Building a Website?
Think of it like this: would you build a house without a floor plan? Probably not. Websites are no different.
When you begin a website project, whether with an agency or a freelancer, you’re making dozens of decisions. The more information you can provide upfront, the easier it is for the team to work efficiently and deliver what you actually need.
A well-prepared document set helps in:
- Explaining your goals clearly
- Avoiding endless revision cycles
- Reducing delays
- Keeping the budget on track
I’ve worked on projects that dragged for months simply because key information came in bits and pieces. It’s avoidable with some early planning.
What Are the Basic Documents Required to Create a Website?
This question comes up all the time. So let me break it down based on what I usually ask clients for at the start of any web project.
Here’s a list of what you should prepare:
Your Business Information
This includes your company name, tagline, contact info, and a short description of what you do.
Domain Details
Already have a domain? Share access. If not, have a few options in mind for us to register. Bonus points if you’ve thought about email setup too.
Website Content
Text for your homepage, about page, services, product descriptions basically anything visitors will read. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. A rough draft is better than nothing.
Logo and Branding
High-res logo files (PNG or SVG), brand colors, any specific fonts, and if you have one a brand guide. This helps make the design consistent.
A Page List (Sitemap)
Just a simple list like: Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact. It tells us what structure we’re working with.
Hosting and Access Details
Already purchased hosting? Share the login. If not, we can suggest the right provider for your needs.
Legal Documents
If you’re collecting data, you’ll need a privacy policy. Selling online? Add terms and conditions. It’s not just a formality anymore laws require it.
SEO Content (If You Have It)
Page titles, keywords, meta descriptions even a general list of words you want to rank for help.
Social Media Links
Send the links and logos for your social accounts so we can add them to your site.
Payment Setup (for eCommerce)
If you’re selling products or services, share your payment gateway credentials (like Stripe or Razorpay).
How Does a Website Planning Checklist Help?
I always encourage clients to work from a website planning checklist. It’s like packing for a trip if you don’t check things off, you’re bound to forget something.
A basic checklist might include:
- Domain name and access
- Hosting login
- Content for each page
- Logo in high resolution
- Sitemap or page list
- Brand colors and fonts
- Legal docs (privacy policy, terms)
- Product info (if eCommerce)
- SEO keywords (if available)
This makes the whole process clearer for you and for us.
What Is Needed to Build a Website Beyond Documents?
Now, you might be wondering: “Apart from paperwork, what is needed to build a website?”
Fair question. Documents help us get started. But to build a solid website, we also need:
- Clear goals: What do you want your website to achieve sales, leads, brand awareness?
- Design direction: Modern? Minimal? Playful? Share what styles you like.
- Functionality: Do you need contact forms, booking tools, eCommerce, or something else?
- A team to execute: This could include a designer, developer, content writer, and SEO specialist.
Even if you’re working with an agency, having clarity on these things speeds everything up.
What’s the Required Information for Website Setup?
This is different from the documents we talked about earlier. This is more technical.
Here’s the required information for website setup your team might need:
- Hosting login (cPanel or equivalent)
- Domain registrar login (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
- CMS credentials (if you already have a WordPress site)
- Admin email address
- Access to any old content or backups (if you’re redesigning)
Make sure you keep this info in a secure place. You’ll need it again later for updates and management.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid While Submitting Website Documents?
I’ve seen all random files sent on WhatsApp, half-finished content in 5 emails, logo files copied from a website screenshot…
If you want the project to run smoothly, avoid:
- Sending incomplete or messy content
- Poor quality images
- Unclear instructions like “Make it cool”
- Scattered files across emails and chats
Instead, try this:
- Use Google Drive or Dropbox
- Organize your files into folders (e.g., “Content,” “Images,” “Logo”)
- Use clear names like “About-Page.docx”
- Share one link with everything in it
A well-organized set of documents can cut your website launch time in half. Preparation isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
Who Should Prepare These Documents — You or Your Agency?
This is usually a joint effort.
Here’s what typically works best:
- You provide the business info, goals, and content
- We (as the agency) help polish, format, and structure it all properly
At Marketing Via Digital, we often send our clients a checklist and examples. If they’re stuck, we’ll hop on a call and walk them through it.
Can You Build a Website Without These Documents?
You can. But it won’t be fun.
Without clear content, structure, or branding:
- Designers guess and may guess wrong
- Developers pause while waiting on inputs
- You’ll likely redo things multiple times
It’s not a great use of anyone’s time. That’s why having the documents required to create a website ready at the start saves everyone from frustration later.
Get Help from Marketing Via Digital
Still feeling unsure where to begin?
At Marketing Via Digital, we’ve helped dozens of businesses like yours get online the right way. Whether you have everything ready or don’t even know where to start, we’ll walk you through it, step by step.
Let’s make your website project smooth, focused, and stress-free.
- Clear communication
- Support you can trust
- Affordable, results-driven packages
Let Your Website Speak for You
Getting your website documents ready might feel like a chore but it’s worth it. It gives your team the clarity they need and helps you get the website you actually want. Need help putting it together? We’re just one message away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 What documents are required to create a website for a small business?
Start with your business details, branding, website content, domain and hosting info, and legal pages like privacy policy and terms.
Q2 What is a website planning checklist and how do I make one?
It’s just a list of everything you need before starting. Think content, branding, access info, goals, and design preferences.
Q3 What is needed to build a website for eCommerce?
You’ll need product images, names, prices, categories, payment setup, shipping info, and refund terms along with the regular documents.
Q4 Do I need legal documents like a privacy policy to launch my site?
Yes, especially if you’re collecting any user data or selling products. It’s now a requirement in many regions.
Q5 Can I use placeholders if my content isn’t ready?
Technically yes, but it slows things down and often leads to rework. Try to provide even rough drafts. They help a lot.
