What do I need before you can start my website?
Business name, phone, email, address, hours, and your service list get us to kickoff. Logo files, photos, and domain access are needed before launch, not before we begin.
Your checklist
What we need from you.
Nothing here is a surprise later. Gather what you can before kickoff and your build moves at full speed — miss something and we'll help you fill the gap.
The checklist
Five short lists, and you're ready.
Before kickoff
- Your business name exactly as you want it published, plus any DBA.
- Phone number, email, and mailing or service address.
- Hours, including holiday or seasonal differences.
- The towns you actually serve — Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos, Aromas, Paicines, and anywhere else.
Brand assets
- Logo files — vector (SVG, AI, EPS) if you have them, high-resolution PNG if not.
- Any brand colors or fonts you're already using on signs, trucks, or menus.
- Photos of your work, your team, and your space. Real photos beat stock every time.
- Any print material we should match: menus, price sheets, business cards.
Content
- A list of every service or product with a one-line description.
- Pricing you're willing to publish — even ranges help you rank and pre-qualify callers.
- Licenses, certifications, insurance, or years in business worth stating.
- Real reviews or testimonials, with permission to publish and the reviewer's name.
Access
- Domain registrar login, or the ability to change DNS records.
- Existing website or hosting access if we're replacing something.
- Google Business Profile access if you want reviews and hours pulled in.
- Any booking, payment, or scheduling tool you already use.
People
- One decision-maker who gives final approval.
- Who writes or approves copy on your side, if anyone.
- Who will update the site after launch, so we train the right person.
Getting started
Logos, photos, domains, and copy.
What if I don't have a logo?
We'll set type-based branding that looks intentional, and you can add a logo later. Logo design isn't included in the base tiers — ask and we'll quote it.
What if I don't have good photos?
We can shoot on-site anywhere in San Benito County for an added fee, or we'll use licensed imagery and design around it. Real photos of your work always convert better.
Do I have to give you my domain login?
No. You can either share registrar access or make the DNS changes yourself while we walk you through them on a call. The domain stays in your name either way.
Do I have to write the copy?
No. We write it. What we need from you is accurate facts — services, prices, hours, credentials — and a review before it goes live.
How do I send you large photo files?
Email hello@hollisterwebsites.com and we'll send an upload link. Don't text photos — phones compress them past the point of being usable on a website.
What if my information changes mid-build?
Tell us as soon as you know. Hours, phone numbers, and service lists are quick changes before launch and still easy after — they live in one place in the code.