A clear requirements document is the foundation of a successful website project. Use this template to organize your thoughts and communicate your vision to your development team effectively.
Project Overview
Start with a high-level summary of your project:
- Company/Organization name and description
- Project name and brief summary (2-3 sentences)
- Primary contact person and their role
- Expected launch date
Business Objectives
What does success look like for this website?
- Primary business goal (e.g., generate leads, sell products, provide information)
- Secondary goals and how they support the primary goal
- Key performance indicators (KPIs) you'll track
- How this website fits into your overall business strategy
Target Audience
Describe who will use this website:
- Primary audience demographics and characteristics
- What problems are they trying to solve?
- What actions do you want them to take?
- Any secondary audiences to consider?
Site Structure
Outline the main sections and pages:
- Homepage and its key elements
- Main navigation sections
- Secondary pages (about, contact, etc.)
- Any special sections (blog, portfolio, resources)
Functional Requirements
List specific functionality needed:
- Contact forms and their fields
- E-commerce features (if applicable)
- User accounts or member areas
- Search functionality
- Newsletter signup
- Social media integration
Design Preferences
Help guide the visual direction:
- Existing brand guidelines (colors, fonts, logo)
- Websites you like and why
- Overall feeling you want to convey (professional, friendly, modern, etc.)
- Any design elements to avoid
Technical Requirements
Specify technical needs:
- Existing domain name or need to purchase
- Hosting preferences or requirements
- Required integrations (email, CRM, analytics, etc.)
- Multilingual requirements (English, French, etc.)
A thorough requirements document prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone is aligned from the start. Take time to fill this out completely—your future self will thank you.