Web Design Client Questionnaire: 18 Questions Before You Start
LeadScrapper Editorial
Freelance Web Design Strategist
The LeadScrapper Editorial team builds practical resources for freelance web designers and SEO consultants. Our templates come from real client projects across local service industries.
Direct Answer
Before starting a web design project, ask about: the site's #1 goal, the primary call-to-action, target customer, 2–3 competitor sites they like/dislike, required pages and features, who provides copy and photos, brand assets, and domain/hosting access. A structured 12–18 question questionnaire prevents scope creep and revision cycles by turning a vague request into a clear brief.
The difference between a smooth web design project and a revision nightmare is decided before you design anything — in how well you understand what the client actually needs. A structured questionnaire turns "make me a website" into a clear, defined brief you can design against.
Copy this questionnaire, send it after the project is agreed but before you start designing, and don't open your design tool until it's filled in.
The 18-Question Web Design Questionnaire
Goals & Purpose
- Q1
What is the #1 thing you want this website to do? (generate leads, take bookings, sell products, build credibility)
- Q2
What single action do you most want visitors to take? (call, fill a form, book, buy)
- Q3
How will you know the site is successful 6 months from now?
- Q4
What's wrong with your current website (if you have one)?
Audience
- Q11
Who is your ideal customer? (age, location, what they need)
- Q12
What questions do customers ask before they buy from you?
- Q13
What makes someone choose you over a competitor?
Design Preferences
- Q21
List 2–3 competitor or industry websites you like — and what you like about each
- Q22
List 1–2 websites you dislike — and why
- Q23
Do you have brand colors, fonts, or a logo? (provide files or links)
- Q24
What feeling should the site convey? (trustworthy, modern, premium, friendly, local)
Pages & Functionality
- Q31
What pages do you need? (home, about, services, contact, gallery, blog, booking)
- Q32
What features are required? (contact form, online booking, live chat, payment, map)
- Q33
Do you need the site to rank on Google for specific searches? (which ones?)
Content & Logistics
- Q41
Who is writing the website copy — you or me?
- Q42
Do you have professional photos, or do we need stock/new photography?
- Q43
Do you own your domain name? Who controls your hosting?
- Q44
What is your timeline, and is there a hard deadline driving it?
Why Each Section Matters
Goals & Purpose
A site built to "look nice" fails. A site built to "get 10 booking calls a month" has a clear measure of success — and a clear primary CTA to design around. This section prevents the vaguest, most expensive kind of revision.
Audience
Knowing the customer's questions tells you what content the site needs. "Do you offer emergency service?" becomes a homepage badge. This is also where SEO and copy strategy start.
Design Preferences
Competitor examples are worth more than adjectives. "Modern" means ten different things; a link to a site they love means one specific thing. Collect examples to avoid designing blind.
Pages & Functionality
This is your scope. Every page and feature listed here is in scope; everything else is a change order. Defining it up front is how you avoid "can you also add…" creep.
Content & Logistics
The #1 cause of delayed web projects is missing content. Find out now who writes copy, who has photos, and who controls the domain — before these block your launch.
Find Web Design Clients Worth Onboarding
LeadScrapper Pro finds local businesses with documented website problems — slow mobile, no contact form, outdated design — so you walk into every project knowing exactly what needs fixing.
FAQ
What questions should I ask a web design client before starting?
Ask about: the site's #1 goal, primary call-to-action, target customer, competitor sites they like/dislike, required pages and features, who provides copy and photos, brand assets, and domain/hosting access. A structured questionnaire prevents scope creep and revision cycles.
Why use a web design client questionnaire?
It prevents the two biggest project killers: scope creep and endless revisions. Collecting goals, examples, content status, and the primary CTA up front means you design against a clear brief instead of guessing. It also surfaces blockers early — like missing photos or domain ownership.
How long should a web design questionnaire be?
12–18 questions across goals, audience, design, functionality, and logistics. Longer and clients don't finish. Group into clear sections so it feels fast. For small local projects, a focused 10-question version works — the goal is a clear brief, not an interrogation.
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