From napkin to net: A simple guide to getting your web idea online
So you’ve got the idea ... the one that’s been sitting in your head or scribbled on a napkin for weeks. Maybe it’s a side hustle. Maybe it’s a digital home for your passion project. Maybe your team is ready to launch something with purpose.
From napkin to net: A simple guide to getting your web idea online
Whatever it is, it’s worth exploring.
We’ve already written about what to do once your site goes live, but this is for those of you who aren’t quite there yet. You’ve got the spark. Now you’re wondering if it’s worth building.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to bring your idea to life. But you do need to ask a few good questions, make a few smart moves, and be ready to experiment.
Here’s how to start.
1. Can it live online?
Start with the basics: what is the core function of your idea?
Some things need a full website. Others just need a landing page. Some will benefit from a full content management system (CMS) from day one and others won’t.
Ask yourself:
Is this idea mostly content? (like blogs, podcasts, how-tos)
Is it about connection? (like a directory, booking system, or membership tool)
Is it meant to sell or fund something? (products, events, donations)
If the answer to any of these is yes, then yes: your idea probably wants to live online.
But not everything needs automation or fancy features from the start. A beautifully simple website is often more powerful than a clunky “platform” you don’t really need yet.
2. Test the waters before building the boat
Before you dive into domain names and design layouts, take a step back. Your excitement is valid, but a few reality checks now can save you time, energy, and budget later.
Try these low-barrier tests:
Explain it to someone in 60 seconds. What’s the elevator pitch?
Write down who it’s for. Be specific. "Everyone" is not an audience.
List 3-5 things that make it different. Be honest. Why this idea?
Google it. Does something like this already exist? If yes, what makes yours better or more relevant?
This isn’t about talking yourself out of it. It’s about sharpening the idea so it has a fighting chance.
3. Share the spark
If you’re working solo, this is when you pull in a sounding board.
If you’re in a team or trying to get buy-in from stakeholders, this is where you sell the idea.
People don’t always say yes to ideas. They say yes to clarity. Show them:
What problem this solves
Who it helps
How it could grow over time
What the first step might look like (not the final product)
You don’t need a full prototype. A one-pager or quick presentation is often enough to start the conversation.
And yes, it’s normal to get pushback. But thoughtful questions from others can help you refine your idea before it hits the real world.
4. Sketch before you build
You’re convinced. Maybe others are too. So what now?
This is where you shift from idea to plan.
Start small:
Write down the pages or sections your site needs. (Home, About, Contact, etc.)
Map out how people should move through it. (What do they do first? What happens next?)
List what kind of content you’ll need. (Text, images, forms, videos?)
Think about updates: Will this change often? Will someone need to maintain it?
This helps you figure out what kind of website you need—and whether you can manage it yourself or need help.
If your project needs regular updates, dynamic content, or complex permissions, a CMS like Plone might be a great fit. But if it’s a one-pager or a seasonal project, something lighter could be perfect.
5. Start lean, grow smart
Don’t blow your budget on Day One.
Build what you need now, and let your website evolve as your idea does.
Some of the best sites we’ve worked on started simple—just a few pages, clear navigation, and a strong message. Once they proved valuable, we added features: search, tagging, media libraries, workflow automation.
You don’t need to look like a global brand to be taken seriously. But you do need a website that reflects your values, shows your professionalism, and makes it easy for people to engage.
Remember:
90% of people will judge your idea based on how your site looks and works
You’re allowed to improve it later
You can—and should—put more in when you start getting more out
Ready to explore the next step?
Whether your idea is a campaign, a cause, or a clever new side hustle, the web is still one of the best places to start.
If you’re not sure what tools you need, or if your idea is too big (or too small), let’s talk. At Juizi, we help individuals and organisations build websites that grow with them. Sometimes that means using a powerful CMS like Plone. Sometimes it just means getting the structure right from the start.
Either way, you’ll have a team in your corner who believes your idea deserves more than a template.