Start here
For a website project, try: “What would you like your website to do better?” Read the answer before the call and jot down what you want to ask about.
Ask what helps you prepare
Before adding a question, think about what you’ll do with the answer. If you won’t use it before the call, you can ask it when you meet.
“Tell me about your business” leaves someone wondering how much to write. Asking what they want their website to do better gives them a specific question to answer.
You can skip anything the client has already told you.
Three questions for a website discovery call
Pick the ones you need. For a first call, one or two may be enough.
What would you like your website to do better?
Long text gives the client room to explain. Leave it optional on an introductory call if you’re happy to discuss the question together.
What is your current website address, if you have one?
Use Short text and leave it optional. A new business may not have a website yet. If they send a link, have a look before the call.
When are you hoping to start?
Use Short text to ask when they want to start. You can then compare that with your availability. Make it required only if you need to know the timing before the call.
Be sparing with required questions. If you can still have a useful conversation without the answer, let the client leave it blank.
For questions with a few set answers, choose Single choice. Include “Not sure yet” if that’s a possible answer. Use a text answer when you want the client to explain in their own words.
Use the answer to plan your first question
For example, a client might write:
People ask about our services, but they struggle to find the enquiry form.
If they’ve shared their website, have a look at its menus and try to find the enquiry form yourself. Note anything you want to ask about.
You could open with: “Where do people usually look for the enquiry form?” Ask what people have told them and what sort of enquiries they want the website to bring in.
Find out what they’ve noticed before suggesting changes.
Add the question in Schedivo
Open your meeting type and find Booking questions. Enter your question, choose Long text from Answer type, and leave Required answer off for this example.
Schedivo offers short text, long text and single-choice answers, with up to ten questions on a booking form. Start with one and add others when you know why you need them.
Save your changes with Save meeting type. Publishing a booking page is a separate step; the booking-page guide covers both.
Answers appear in the booking details. Read them before you join the call. The bookings guide shows where to find and manage your appointments.
Talk through the project on the call
Use the call to talk about budget, who will make decisions and which work needs doing first. You’ll often want to ask more once you’ve heard the first answer.
Keep passwords, card details and confidential documents out of booking answers. Agree a suitable way to share project files later.
After a few calls, look at which answers you used and which you had to ask about again. Reword anything people misunderstand, and remove questions you keep skipping.
Check the rest of the booking page
The client also needs to know what the call is for, when you’re available and how to join. The discovery-call booking checklist covers those checks.
Before you share your link, read the form as if you were a new client. Check that each question is easy to answer and that you know what you’ll do with the reply.
Follow the booking-page guide to add your first question.