What Clients Should Expect from Web Designers

If you are a Web Designer you have probably encountered clients that don’t have a clue what’s involved in the design process.
Even after writing out a lengthy proposal explaining everything in detail clients often expect you to do more for them than what was written in the proposal.

Here’s an example:

  • I offer several designs for a client to choose from.
  • The customer confirms the design.
  • I spend hours, sometimes days designing the site depending on its complexity.
  • I show it to the customer for reviewing and confirmation.
  • The client confirms the design.
  • A few days later the customer changes his mind. He wants a completely different design.

This means I need to start from scratch taking additional hours or days to complete it. I stipulate in the proposal that changes in the original design entail extra work and will be billed accordingly.

Here’s a summary of an article that outlines web designers’ expectations for their clients:

1. Understand What You Want

The client needs to be absolutely clear on the purpose of their site, what type of design they want and any extras it may have. Don’t allow the web designer to try to read your mind.

2. It Costs More and Takes Longer than You Think

Client’s often think you can just push a few buttons and “voila” the site is produced therefore it shouldn’t cost very much.

They don’t realize that it requires a lot of skills, knowledge and experience to design a professional web site.

3. A Web Site Has Several Pieces. Don’t Cut Corners.

Even though there are many web site templates on the Net, it doesn’t mean that it will suit your business. If you want to project professional image about your business you won’t buy a template but have one custom built.

A web site contains a number of elements that must all be woven togetther ie design, web copy writing, graphics, scripts, search engine optimization etc. Cutting corners by eliminating any these major elements will result in a site that won’t function correctly.

4. Balance Glitz and Guts

Many clients often want a site with flashy graphics that will “wow” their customers. This is a big mistake because an intensely graphic site is not user friendly. ie loads slow, is not search engine friendly and often contains little text (information)
for the visitor to read. The purpose of the site may not be clear.

5. If You Build It, They Won’t Necessarily Come

Clients think that traffic will come to their site immediately once the site is completed. They don’t take into account the most important aspect…marketing. Without marketing the site will be like placing a sign in the middle of the desert..no one will see it.

6. Avoid Bit Decay: The Site Needs Maintenance

A web site should be a living document on the Web. You can’t just put one up then forget about it. The web site should be constantly updated so it won’t become stale and out of date.

7. Treat the Web Team as Professionals

A professional web designer will have worked hard to acquire the necessary qualifications, skills and experience to create a design that will fit your business model. Therefore treat them with professionalism.

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Comments

  1. How long does it take for a person to get really good at web design? Your article really gave me some new ideas!

  2. This depends on your ability, how much time you invest and speed of implementation. Learn as much as you can ( I started by reading free books from my local library) then began applying the information right away.

    To get proficient it may take a year however to become a professional will take longer. Even a professional web designer is always honing his skills to become better.

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