Scope a small business website

Begin with the job the website must complete: collecting a quote request, booking a service or explaining a product. A page list alone does not say what success looks like. Include the person who will maintain the content and respond to requests.

Work through it

1. Describe the audience, primary action and information needed before that action. List existing assets, domain ownership and required integrations.
2. Write the expected behavior for forms, confirmation messages, mobile navigation and any account or checkout handoff. Separate launch requirements from later additions.
3. Agree on the delivered files, access, maintenance responsibilities and acceptance checks. Test with a realistic customer example before calling the site finished.

Check your result

• Scope is written before payment or build commitments.
• Each form has an owner and a destination.
• Launch checks cover a phone and an unsuccessful submission.