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The web designer and client relationship

As someone who builds web sites for a living I have a lot of accumulated knowledge, skills and methods which I use on every project, and I like to keep up to date with all the latest trends, best practice and methodology in order to give you the best end product that I can.

During any site built there’s a lot of pre-work to be done so I can get a good idea of what you want to achieve with your site, and once I understand your aims I can make recommendations based on my professional judgement. Sometimes my initial recommendations won’t fit with your particular ideas - that’s not a bad thing - but often I have seen ideas that I know will work be dismissed in favour of things that won’t work.

This is where a good client-designer relationship comes in.

Creating a design that works

The visual design of a web site (ie how it actually looks) is always an emotive subject. Sometimes customers have a good idea of the sort of style they are looking for, or they leave me to come up with some ideas. Either approach is sound but what happens when things don’t turn out quite how you expected?

Explaining “why” things should be a certain way will always help a web designer understand the needs of the site.

Initially I’ll develop design ideas based on the important things the site needs to achieve and focused on the needs of the sites visitors. Every element on a page is carefully thought out, based on experience, and there is logic and rationale for everything. You don’t have to use my suggestions but I have worked on sites where a customer insists on adding/removing design elements that totally destroy the purpose of their site - don’t fall into this trap!

Talking through design ideas is always encouraged. I’ll listen, offer suggestions, and together we’ll come up with a solution that works for you and your customers.

Making your content work

The needs of your visitors can differ dramatically from what you think they should have! What you say and how you say it is crucial to a successful site and it’s part of my role to help you understand this.

You’ll probably be supplying the content, but structuring and writing it in an effective manner does take some skill and know how. If I see some of your copy that’s not suitable I’ll tell you and give reasons why, we can then rewrite it if you wish. Of course you can publish your content however you wish (you are the customer, right?) but I wouldn’t want you to miss a golden opportunity!

Writing content for the web is unlike writing for other forms of media, getting the right balance between the ‘need’ and the ‘requirement’ will always benefit from a little professional advice.

How I help you the customer

• I’m all ears! I’ll listen to your ideas and what you’re trying to achieve
• I make recommendations for you to consider
• I always offer my best professional advice
• I always strive to deliver on time
• I’ll answer your questions in plain English, no jargon!

How you the customer can help me

• Have clear idea of what you want to achieve
• Be open to new or different ideas and concepts
• Provide feedback or information in a timely manner or to schedule
• Try not to “change everything” at the last minute
• Avoid the temptation to become the “designer” - that’s what you’re paying me for!

An ongoing partnership

Many designer-customer relationships last for years and a good open dialogue between the two is always productive. As a designer I’ll know your business and it’s needs, and as a customer you’ll know how I work and the way I think. Over time these relationships develop into solid working partnerships and trust is built up to the benefit of all.

Anything is possible, now what is it you wanted?