How to be a Good Web Design Client
We’ve all heard the shpeal and read countless articles on how to be good service providers within the web design industry. Well, what about showing our beloved clients (they’re the reason we are alive and working after all) certain tips and pointers to make the website design process go by smoother and faster – for us and for them!
Our staff at Turbonacho, including project managers, programmers, designers and even our CEO, has graciously compiled a list of ideas.
1. Have a clear understanding of what you need, not necessarily what you want
Starting a website design project can be very exciting. The possibilities seem endless as you make a list of all the sites, effects, menus, content, designs you like and have referenced from other places. Many times, a client will want to literally mix every single element they have seen from other sources to create their own site. Take into consideration that your design choices affect programming (dynamic content) and vice versa. A heavier graphic oriented website will carry more weight thus affecting visitor download and permanence times. If you are not exactly sure of what types of elements you need to accomplish your goal, talk to your website design company. They have the experience and they have options and alternatives for things you probably never knew existed or were possible.
2. Have a realistic budget
Sure, everyone wants to be able to buy the best products and services around. But being realistic of how far you can stretch your budget prior to starting and accepting a website design proposal will save you many days of headaches and wallet woes. Decide on how much you are able to spend, but do your research to also see what average market prices for services such as website design are at the moment. This way you will have a real number in mind thus allowing you to adjust your budget accordingly.
3. Be open and available for questions – lots of them!
Project managers have the task of organizing and transmitting all relevant information between client and designer. The first step before handing over a proposal to a client is asking a series of questions, evaluating them, and then asking some more. Project managers aren’t doing this to annoy you or waste your time; they are in fact doing it to get a clear grasp and understanding of what you, as a client, need and desire. Questions usually generate more questions along the way, and this has proven to bring forth solutions and more efficient alternatives to the result that is sought after. So be kind and be a little more open to the start of this wonderful client-project manager-web designer relationship. Lots of great things will come to fruition thanks to it! And if you come across a web design company that DOESN’T ask you anything and hands you a proposal right away and is in a rush to start – run! This will more than likely cause trouble later down the road.
4. Ask questions – lots of them!
We just told you that project managers will drive you nuts with all the questions they have for you. Payback is a bitch, so ask them about anything and everything you have in mind. Even if you think it sounds insignificant, stupid or senseless. The smallest thing can have huge consequences, so please don’t be embarrassed to ask. Remember the first day of kindergarten? If you want to know, just ask!
5. Pay in time
Money is a delicate issue but it should not be a problem if both parties are satisfied with the progress of a particular project. Stick to the payment schedules both you and the web developer agreed to at the beginning of the project. This will keep everybody in check and happy.
6. Learn the virtues of patience
Web design is not rocket science, but like most things in life it is a process and can take time. Learning the virtues of patience won’t bring you a step closer to sainthood but will make the experience more rewarding and fulfilling for everybody. Now go make your mother proud.
7. Do you want to win design awards or make money from your site?
Different sites have different needs. These are organic creatures in a virtual world that interact with others and depending on their characteristics (web DNA?) they fulfill specific roles if they are intended too. Elements such as site construction, design choices (from color palettes to layouts) influence things like monetary returns and traffic. Decide from the start whether your site is going to be tuned in more towards the business or design end of the spectrum. If your website company knows their stuff they will guide you and provide the best solution.
8. Research
Ideas can come to mind as fast as lightning, but acting upon them shouldn’t be taken so lightly! We know you have a genius inside of you, and that is exactly why we suggest to our clients they do tons of research prior to establishing their goals and fine tuning the foundations of their website design endeavor. No matter what industry you’re geared to, stock up on material and information from both virtual (internet) and physical (remember the library?) sources. Even a trip down to your local bookstore can leave you with a great deal of information, so be sure to scope out the magazines (which are always current and up to date) and books. Talking to people with experience in the field you are working in, including peers (if you already know your stuff) will prove to be an enriching addition to your web design.
9. References
Don’t be shy or afraid to ask for customer and client references. More often than not, previous clients will be happy to guide you and let you know what their experience was like with that particular web design company. This will give you extra assurance that you are comfortable with your choice and that your idea will be generated with real and confident expectations.
10. Enjoy it!
After reading all of these tips, and since you are now on your way to becoming an even better client, you should feel more confident and relaxed with your decision. Make every moment of the web design process count and enjoy it! It’s your brainchild after all!
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