In order for the contractor to get a complete picture of the client’s business and wishes, a special tool is needed to start the project – a brief.
Brief is a questionnaire document that describes all the main project tasks, requirements, and input data. The process of creating a brief includes a detailed description of the client’s requirements and project goals, which is important for effective cooperation. It ensures successful interaction between the contractor and the client. A fully and correctly completed brief allows a web studio employee to perform all tasks efficiently, as the performer clearly knows what goal needs to be achieved and what problems to solve.
Why do I need a brief?
A website development brief is a kind of questionnaire that the customer fills out before starting work. It is the foundation on which all successful websites are developed. When the requirements are outlined on paper, the developer understands exactly what direction to move in. The brief consists of many points that can be combined into several important information blocks:
- Information about the company. The formal part, which indicates the name of the company, email address, phone number.
- Information about the company. Sphere of activity, business line, geography of work, competitive advantages, target audience. The project implementation timeframe and budget are also indicated.
- Goals of creating a website. Attraction of new customers, selling products online, creating a positive image, posting company news.
- Type of web resource. Corporate website, business card, news portal, online store, message board, promo site.
- Structure. Sections, navigation, information blocks. The customer can show the sites he likes.
- Design. Preferences for a ready-made template or individual design. Definition of style – strict, minimalistic, bright.
- Functionality. Integration with third-party services, content management system, the need to develop a mobile version.
- Additional services. SEO promotion, content filling, corporate identity development.
These are the main points that should be in the brief. It can be customized according to the client’s preferences and project requirements. For the client to give accurate answers and not spend a lot of time on it, the questions should be specific and clear. It is better to break one question into two than to write several sentences that are difficult to understand. This way you can get valuable information necessary for the competent development of the site.
What should be included in the brief?
Many people are interested in how to create a good brief. It’s easy if you follow a few rules. You can use similar briefs from competitors as a guide, but adapt them to your business and idea. The first is the form and style of writing. The brief should be clear and concise. The most important thing in it is data and information.
Use the correct formatting: regular font for the main text and bold to highlight the most important data. For visualization, it’s also a good idea to add infographics or charts to make the information as clear as possible.
This is a technical document, so it should contain only the data that is necessary to complete the project. It’s important to include only relevant information to ensure that the campaign is clear and effective using the appropriate tools and methods.
In what format should I prepare a brief?
There are three convenient brief formats that are suitable for both parties:
- Google Docs. It doesn’t need to be sent, can be easily edited, and all information is stored online. This allows all project participants to have access to the current version of the document at any time.
- Google form. Something like a regular questionnaire with questions where the customer fills in or selects answers in special fields. All answers are saved in the form and displayed only to the owner of the file, that is, to you as the performer.
- An application form on your website. It is created as a pop-up or a regular form for collecting applications. This allows clients to easily fill out the brief right on your website, and all answers are saved in the system for future use.
It is also important to provide links to your competitors’ websites so that promotion professionals can better understand your niche and avoid possible sanctions from search engines.
Conclusion
A brief is an indispensable tool in any project, as it provides a clear understanding of tasks, goals, and expectations between the client and the contractor. A well-structured brief helps to avoid misunderstandings, minimizes the risk of mistakes, and increases work efficiency. It acts as a foundation for the successful implementation of the project, providing all participants with a clear vision of the end result.
Lead Panda editors recommend that you always fill out a brief before starting work, be specific in your requirements and wishes, use visuals to better understand the process, provide a detailed description of the target audience, such as a mother with two children or an elderly single teacher, and regularly update the brief in case of changes in requirements.
FAQ
What is a client brief?
A client brief is a document that a client fills out before starting a project. It contains information about the business, goals, requirements, and expectations of the project. It helps the contractor understand the client’s needs and ensure effective work.
What is a creative brief?
A creative brief is a document that describes the main tasks and goals of a creative project. It includes information about the brand, target audience, key messages, style and tone of communication, and desired results. The creative brief is used to develop advertising campaigns, marketing materials, and other creative initiatives.
What is a designer’s brief?
A designer’s brief is a document that contains all the necessary information to create a design. It includes details about the target audience, style preferences, color scheme, technical requirements, and desired results. The brief helps the designer to clearly understand the task and create a design that meets the client’s expectations.
