The small business website checklist I wish existed when I started building client sites

When I started building websites for small business clients, I kept making the same mistakes — not technical ones, but scope ones. Building things that weren't asked for. Missing things that were obvious to the client but not to me. After enough projects I built a mental checklist. Here it is written out properly. Before you write a single line of code 1. Who is updating this after launch? This changes everything. If the client needs to update it themselves, you're probably reaching for a CMS. If it's you on retainer, you have more flexibility. Never assume. 2. What does success look like in 3 months? "A nice website" isn't a goal. "More enquiries through the contact form" is. Tie your work to a measurable outcome so both sides know if it's working. 3. What does the client actually hate about their current site? Ask this directly. The answer tells you more than a brief ever will. During the build 4. Mobile first, always Not as an afterthought. Start there. UK small businesses get the m