What should decision-makers evaluate before starting a web development project?

Decision-makers should evaluate five areas before starting a web development project: current site performance baselines (using Google Analytics 4, Search Console, and Lighthouse audits), technology stack suitability (whether the existing CMS, hosting, and integrations can support the planned changes or require replacement), content and data readiness (whether copywriting, imagery, and product or service data are available), internal stakeholder alignment on goals and priorities, and budget scope that accounts for both development and ongoing maintenance.

A technical discovery audit by the development partner should precede any scoping document. This audit surfaces hidden complexity: undocumented third-party integrations, legacy code dependencies, database architecture issues, or security vulnerabilities that would affect the project scope, timeline, and cost if discovered mid-project rather than at the outset.