Building a marketing website is no small feat. As a team that lives and breathes web design services and branding, we’ve seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t. Along the way, we’ve built dozens of websites and apps and partnered with brands big and small. So, if you’re looking for a home run website that truly reflects your brand, check out our 10 tips below for building the best website with a top digital marketing agency.
1. Be Ready to Talk About EVERYTHING
One of the biggest factors in creating a brand-aligned website is communication. Your goals, mission, values, quirks, and voice all play into how your website should look and feel. So the more you share, the more an agency like Uplancer can tailor your website to reflect your brand. Remember, web design isn’t just about looks; it’s also about storytelling.
2. Share Your Origin Story Because It’s Unique
Every brand has a beginning. Maybe you were tired of doing things the old-fashioned way. Or maybe you saw a market gap in your old role. Whatever your story is, tell it. Origin stories give your website depth and personality. They connect your brand with prospects in a way that generic, AI-generated marketing copy never can.
3. Define What Sets You Apart and Lean Into It
One of the most crucial parts of effective website branding is differentiation. What makes your business unique? Why should customers choose you over your competitors? You’re not here to blend in. To build an outstanding website, you must clearly define your unique selling proposition (USP) and keep it front and center.
If you’re not sure what that is yet, it’s okay. It takes time to refine, and it will evolve even among your younger buyers. A good marketing agency, like Uplancer, can help you uncover and refine your USP!
4. Know What You’re Not and Be Content With It
No brand or business can be everything to everyone. Knowing what you don’t do well is just as important as knowing what you do well. Understanding your limitations helps define your ideal audience and provides content direction for copywriters and designers. It also ensures your brand doesn’t promise things it can’t deliver.
5. Identify Your Target Audience Through Marketing Segmentation
This is where it all comes together. Once you’ve nailed down your story, strengths, and weaknesses, you can begin identifying your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? What do they care about? How would they find you? A good segmentation exercise can help you identify your targets.
Ultimately, effective web design services rely on understanding user behavior because design is always intentional. You must know exactly who your website is for, so you can communicate with them directly through visuals, layout, copy, navigation, and calls to action.
6. Know Your Must-Haves and Build an MVW
This is your chance to list out the content and features your site absolutely needs. Whether it’s a booking form, a custom quote request, or a portfolio showcase, you must ensure these essentials are front and center. Everything else is backlogged noise. At Uplancer, this web design concept is called the Minimum Viable Website (MVW), which is extremely cost-effective and applicable to every web design project.
7. Share Inspo Sites for Your Web Design Guardrails
This part is fun. Collect websites you love and give them to your agency partner for guidance on your creative designs and preferences. It could be the way a page scrolls, the use of color, or the tone of the messaging. These references help shape your website’s creative direction, significantly shortening the time to finalize the designs.
8. Provide Logo Samples (or Logos You Like)
If you already have a logo, perfect! If not, find some logos that resonate with you. Similar to inspiration websites, sharing logo samples with your web design agency gives a visual starting point and helps distill your ideal brand identity. Even the simplest logos can remove bad ideas and spark better ideas around font choices, colors, and visual hierarchy.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Collaborate and Give Continuous Feedback
The best websites are born from true collaboration. Think of your web design partner as an extension of your brand and not just a vendor. They should listen and iterate with your input. Once you’ve shared your feedback, let your designer do what they do best: deliver a brand-forward, user-centered, conversion-driven website.
10. Keep It Common Sense: Simple, Smart, and Scalable
It’s tempting to want to do everything. But more doesn’t always mean better. Adding too many features, over-designing pages, or trying to speak to everyone at once usually leads to cluttered messaging and confused users. Stay focused on what matters most: solving your audience’s problem and converting visitors into customers.
Our philosophy? Use common sense.
The Bottom Line
Websites must reflect your brand, connect with your audience, and drive your business forward. The best way to make that happen? Show up, speak up, and share with your web design team. Talk about your story and use common sense to define your website must-haves. Let a digital marketing agency help you craft a brand experience. Whether you’re a brand-new business or a company in need of a web redesign, we’re here to help! Learn our approach as we nailed down the branding for a roofing business in Columbus, Ohio, or built a large hospital website in eastern Ohio.
Ready for an amazing website? Contact us today for a free consultation to start building your online brand.
