# First agency project brief

Source: https://lindo.ai/guides/how-to-start-a-web-design-agency
Updated: 2026-09-03
Published by: Lindo Team

A practical offer, qualification, approval-gate, and delivery-retrospective worksheet.
Illustrative planning aid, not market data or a guarantee. Do not store credentials or private client data here.

## Working brief

### Buyer hypothesis / conversations that support it

- Notes:
- Owner / decision:
- Evidence / next action:

### Offer / inputs / outputs / exclusions

- Notes:
- Owner / decision:
- Evidence / next action:

### Operating commitments and available delivery hours

- Notes:
- Owner / decision:
- Evidence / next action:

### Proof project and permission status

- Notes:
- Owner / decision:
- Evidence / next action:

### Client approver / content owner / budget / launch constraints

- Notes:
- Owner / decision:
- Evidence / next action:

### Brief, content, draft and launch sign-off

- Notes:
- Owner / decision:
- Evidence / next action:

### Estimated versus actual hours

- Notes:
- Owner / decision:
- Evidence / next action:

### One process change before the next sale

- Notes:
- Owner / decision:
- Evidence / next action:

## Acceptance checklist

- [ ] The first offer names a buyer, required inputs, and exclusions.
  Owner / evidence / date:

- [ ] Operating commitments and project costs are understood.
  Owner / evidence / date:

- [ ] Portfolio concepts are labeled honestly and assets are approved.
  Owner / evidence / date:

- [ ] Decision maker, content owner, and critical functions are qualified.
  Owner / evidence / date:

- [ ] Approval gates and change handling are written down.
  Owner / evidence / date:

- [ ] Launch evidence, account ownership, and handoff are recorded.
  Owner / evidence / date:

- [ ] Actual delivery time informs the next project.
  Owner / evidence / date:

## Examples and templates from the guide

### A testable first offer

Buyer: independent consultant with one established service.
Problem: prospects cannot understand the offer before a call.
Inputs: approved service facts, biography, photos, and contact inbox.
Output: home, service, about, and contact pages.
Done: content approved; mobile, links, and enquiry delivery tested.
Excluded: checkout, memberships, custom integrations, ongoing copywriting.

## Working tables

### First-project approval record

| Gate | Evidence | Do not advance if |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Brief | Scope, owners, exclusions | Critical function is untested |
| Content | Approved facts and assets | Claims or permissions are unresolved |
| Draft | Representative responsive page | Layout direction is not approved |
| Launch | Test results and sign-off | Enquiry path fails |

## Sources and next steps

- Build a quote from costs and scope: https://lindo.ai/guides/how-to-price-website-design
- Write a package buyers can understand: https://lindo.ai/guides/how-to-package-website-services
- Write a case study with evidence instead of invented results: https://lindo.ai/guides/how-to-create-a-portfolio-website
- Build a small, measurable client-acquisition process: https://lindo.ai/guides/how-to-get-web-design-clients