guide
What happens during Website Discovery?
A simple explanation of the questions we ask, why they matter and how Discovery helps shape the right website before any work begins.
Website Discovery is the starting point for every HER Business Websites project.
It is a guided process that helps us understand your business before any recommendations, design decisions or quotations are made.
You do not need to know what type of website you need, how many pages it should have or which technical features to choose.
Discovery is designed to help us work that out with you.
Why Discovery comes first
A website should be shaped around the business it represents.
Before thinking about layouts, colours or functionality, we need to understand:
- what your business does
- who your customers are
- what information they need
- what you want the website to achieve
- what you already have in place
- what may need to be added in the future
Without that understanding, it is easy to recommend the wrong structure, include unnecessary features or overlook something important.
Discovery gives us a clearer picture before any decisions are made.
You can also browse our website design services to see the types of project Discovery leads to.
What the Discovery process covers
The Discovery Form is divided into six simple stages.
Each stage focuses on a different part of your business and website requirements.
You can work through it at your own pace, save your progress and return later if needed.
Business information
The first stage helps us understand the basics of your business.
You will be asked about:
- your business name
- what your business does
- the products or services you offer
- the type of customers you work with
- where your business is currently starting from
There is no need to make your answers sound polished.
Straightforward information is more useful than carefully written marketing language at this stage.
Branding and style
The next stage looks at the visual identity of your business.
You may be asked whether you already have:
- a logo
- brand colours
- preferred fonts
- printed materials
- social media graphics
- examples of visual styles you like
It is completely fine if you do not have any branding yet.
Discovery is not a test, and you are not expected to arrive with everything finished.
If you are starting from scratch, simply tell us what you currently have and what kind of direction feels right.
Content and website structure
This stage helps us understand what information your website may need to include.
You may be asked which pages sound relevant, such as:
- Home
- About
- Services
- Portfolio or Gallery
- Blog or Resources
- Contact
You do not need to know the final page structure.
Your answers simply help us understand what information needs organising and how customers may move through the website.
You may also be asked about the tone of voice you would like the website to have, such as:
- warm and approachable
- clear and straightforward
- polished and editorial
This gives us a useful starting point for the way the website should communicate.
Features and functionality
This stage explores anything the website may need to do beyond displaying information.
That might include:
- online booking
- online payments
- an online store
- a members or client area
- custom enquiry forms
- a blog or resources section
You do not need to understand how these systems work technically.
Select anything that sounds potentially useful, and we will help separate what your business needs now from what could be added later.
Business operations and integrations
Some businesses already use tools or platforms that may need to connect with the website.
This could include:
- email marketing
- payment systems
- booking software
- accounting tools
- customer management systems
- calendars or scheduling platforms
- social media accounts
This stage helps us understand what is already in place and whether the website needs to work alongside it.
If you are not using any systems yet, that is completely fine too.
Project goals and next steps
The final stage focuses on what you want the website to achieve.
You may be asked about:
- the main goal of the project
- what success would look like
- any important priorities
- your preferred time frame
This helps us understand the bigger picture rather than only focusing on individual pages or features.
Your goal might be to:
- look more professional
- generate more enquiries
- make it easier for customers to find information
- start taking bookings
- sell products online
- replace a social-media-only presence
- create a stronger foundation for future growth
There is no right or wrong answer.
What happens after you submit Discovery?
Once your Discovery Form is submitted, it is received securely and reviewed carefully.
We do not use a template recommendation based on one or two answers.
We look at the full picture, including:
- your business
- your customers
- your priorities
- your content
- your existing branding
- the functionality you may need
- your future plans
We may then research your business, your current online presence and the type of customer journey that would suit you best.
Will there be a sales call?
Not automatically.
If a short conversation would genuinely help clarify something, we may contact you to arrange one.
There is no pressure, no obligation and no expectation that you must choose a package immediately.
The purpose of Discovery is to understand first and recommend second.
What will you receive?
After reviewing your Discovery, we can prepare a tailored recommendation.
This may include:
- the most suitable website structure
- the pages likely to be needed
- useful functionality
- any sensible future additions
- a clear project proposal
- the next steps
- the full cost before work begins
The recommendation should feel relevant to your business rather than like a generic package.
Do I need to have everything ready?
No.
You do not need:
- finished website copy
- professional photography
- a complete brand identity
- technical knowledge
- a final list of pages
- a perfect plan
Discovery is designed to identify what is already available, what is missing and what support may be useful.
You can begin even if your business is still being developed.
Can I save my progress?
Yes.
The Discovery Form allows you to save your progress and continue later.
You can request a private resume link by email, allowing you to return to the same point on another device.
This means you do not need to complete everything in one sitting.
How long does it take?
There is no fixed time limit.
Some people will complete it quickly, while others may prefer to think about their answers or gather information as they go.
The form is designed to feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
Take your time and answer as honestly as you can.
Discovery helps avoid the wrong website
The most valuable part of Discovery is not the form itself.
It is the clarity it creates.
It helps prevent:
- paying for features you do not need
- choosing a structure that does not suit the business
- overlooking important customer information
- rushing into design before the purpose is clear
- building something that becomes difficult to grow later
A considered start usually leads to a stronger website.
You do not need to know the answers in advance
Discovery is not about proving that you are ready.
It is about helping us understand where you are now and what your business may need next.
You bring the knowledge of your business.
We bring the guidance needed to shape that information into a clear, practical website plan.
That is where the process begins.