Most web design delays in Phuket start before anyone opens a design file. The studio is waiting on a boat list, last season’s villa photos, or a yes from a second owner.
A short brief saves weeks. You do not need a brand book. You need the decisions that change the build.
The one-page brief
Write these down and send them with the enquiry:
- What the site must do. Take WhatsApp messages, show a menu, list tours, accept a booking, or collect property leads. Pick the real job. A homepage that tries to do all of them equally usually does none well.
- Who it is for. International guests in English, Thai walk-ins, agents, or owners. Say which language is primary.
- Pages you already know you need. Home, rooms or tours, about, contact, and any legal page your payment provider requires. Extra pages can wait.
- How a booking works today. Spreadsheet, phone, OTA, or an existing system. If deposits, seasons, or extras change the price, say so now.
- Who approves. One name, and how fast they can reply. Two days is a reasonable target during the project.
Studios such as Phuketians can quote from that. A quote built on “a modern website” is a guess.
Photos and words
Use real photos of the place, the boat, the rooms, or the team. Stock beaches make every Phuket site look the same, and guests notice when the room does not match the picture.
You do not need final copy on day one. You do need:
- The services or room types, in the words you use with customers
- Starting prices, or a clear note that prices are on request
- The address, map pin, phone, and WhatsApp number you want published
- Hours, including whether high season changes them
If a page has no facts yet, leave it out of the first launch.
What to leave out of version one
A blog, a loyalty club, and a second language can follow. Launch the path a guest uses this month: find the offer, trust it, and enquire or book.
Website pricing is easier to compare when two studios receive this same brief. Request a quote with the page list attached, not a one-line “how much for a website?”
People also ask
Short answers to the questions people type into Google and AI search.
What should I send a web designer before the first call?
Send your current site address, a list of pages you need, example sites you like, and how customers book or enquire today. Photos and a logo help, but a clear list of jobs the site must do matters more.
Do I need finished text before design starts?
You need the facts: services, prices or price ranges, locations, and languages. Polished sentences can come later. Missing facts are what stall a project.
Who should approve the website?
One person. If a partner, a manager, and a marketing freelancer all comment separately, the project slows down and the page structure drifts.
Should I include booking rules in the brief?
Yes, if you take reservations. Seasons, deposits, child prices, and what staff must change themselves belong in the brief, not in a surprise request after design.