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Before Working with a Web Designer: Read this!

8th August 2009

At a business networking event this week I got talking to a partner of a large firm of accountants who told me that his business was mid way through the process of having its website refreshed with a local team of web designers.

“How’s it going?” I casually asked, to which I was subjected to a response which was not favourable to their chosen web designers and included whinges such as “it’s taking much longer than we expected” and “the cost keeps going up”.

Don't Get Frustrated with Your Web Designers

One Side of the Story

This sort of client experience is not uncommon I’m sorry to say with many web designers; however as I’m not privy to both sides of the story, I’m reluctant to take sides with this accountant at condemning his designers particularly as my experience in the web development industry has taught me that client activity (or lack of it) is often a major contributing factor towards many a web project going pear-shaped.

A Bold Statement

Now, you’re probably thinking that I’m biased, perhaps even a little condescending; to make such a statement that doesn’t automatically side me with the client. After all, the “customer is always right”. Right?

Maybe, but hear me out!

Having been involved in numerous web development projects at every stage and on both sides (client and developer) over the years, for a whole range of different types of clients; using my experiences and observations I’ll wager that this accountant or his staff have a big part to play in their problems.

Now, before I carry on; this post shouldn’t be taken as a rant at client’s even though it may come across as that! Far from it, instead it should be taken as guidance for companies who are preparing to refresh their website or have a new one built from scratch.

Here’s my summary of points to consider on the road to a successful website design and build project.

Points to Ponder

Research what you need from your new website, look at your competitors’ websites, note what you like and dislike. Think about the purpose of the site and what objectives its users will fulfill and the paths they will take as they move through the site.
If you employ a number of people; get your employees involved, perhaps creating a focus group to bounce ideas around. You could even ask some of your customers if you have a good relationship with them.
Collate all your ideas together into a written document that you can give to your chosen designers. This document is often called a ‘brief’.
Be realistic with your time scales for the whole site design and build process. Take into account unexpected events such as the demands that your business will put on you, realistic periods of time for feedback from staff, holidays and even the time associated with your internal processes e.g. the time taken to pay your designers invoices. When you have a time estimate for the project that you’re comfortable with, double it!
Your designers will ask you for a number of “deliverables” throughout the build process. Such elements may include photographs or copy text. Don’t underestimate the amount of time and effort needed to write website copy for your website if you plan to do it in-house. If you’re in any doubt at your abilities to deliver appropriate copy for your website to your developers in time for the site’s anticipated launch date, get a professional copywriter in. It’s often a false economy not to.
In just about every web project I have been involved in over the years, the client has added in “features” midway through the project. It’s human-nature! So unless you are very focused and know exactly what you want from your site; in readiness for such modifications, make room for additional budget costs to the tune of at least 20-30% over the original project cost agreed with your designers at the outset.
Finally, whilst this is not an exhaustive list; one important point to make is that you should listen to the advice of your designers. You’re employing a professional web designer to build you a website so take advantage of them. That’s what you’re paying them for. Any web designer worth his salt and who has a good portfolio, will be able to bring many ideas to the ‘table’ and will have a tried and tested process in their methodology.Many a website has gone belly-up because the client felt it necessary to override the proven advice or processes of their web designer. You wouldn’t ignore the advice of your accountant or solicitor as you know they are professionals in their field. Think of your web designer in a similar light.

So there you have it. A few pearls of wisdom from someone who knows and has ‘been there’.

If you’re company is looking to have a new website designed and built for itself but you don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing a web designer, writing a brief or even managing the project, then give me a call – that’s bread and butter business for me and I’ll be able to manage the project for you.

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Tags: Business Networking, Clients, Web Design

3 Comments

Karl Says:

Hi Jaimie,

A very nice article with some valid points for web design clients. Regarding point #7, I find that most clients I deal with are very good at following the advice I give them relating to their web project(s).

Thanks for this.

9th August 2009
Staysure Says:

While this is an excellent post, can I suggest something which you probably already do but didn’t mention in the post?

The best thing to do to try to help you design a site that is exactly what your client is looking for is to make a very detailed specification of the design work – preferrably including some sample artwork. You should give the client a very detailed questionnaire and then come back to him with an extremely detailed spec of the new site design. One I received recently was 60 pages no less. This leaves everything clear and reduces the chance of a client getting a web design he’s not happy with.

10th August 2009
Ed Says:

Interesting, and in particular, useful, article.
From my experience, point 1 is easily the most important. You can tweak things here and there as the project develops. But if you haven’t done your research properly then the whole thing could go really pair-shaped, after much money and time has already been spent. Priority one: focus on research so that you have a very good idea, at least, of what you want.
All good points, in particular the brief. And, also, leaving a margin for increased costs (i would go along with 20-30% from my experience).
The website shouldn’t just be seen as something functional (important as that is for user experience). It’s also a useful marketing tool for demonstrating, to your audience, what you’re about. In other words it should reflect your brand values (a bit like an ad but not to the same degree).

25th August 2009

Karl Says:

Hi Jaimie,

A very nice article with some valid points for web design clients. Regarding point #7, I find that most clients I deal with are very good at following the advice I give them relating to their web project(s).

Thanks for this.

9th August 2009

Staysure Says:

While this is an excellent post, can I suggest something which you probably already do but didn’t mention in the post?

The best thing to do to try to help you design a site that is exactly what your client is looking for is to make a very detailed specification of the design work – preferrably including some sample artwork. You should give the client a very detailed questionnaire and then come back to him with an extremely detailed spec of the new site design. One I received recently was 60 pages no less. This leaves everything clear and reduces the chance of a client getting a web design he’s not happy with.

10th August 2009

Ed Says:

Interesting, and in particular, useful, article.
From my experience, point 1 is easily the most important. You can tweak things here and there as the project develops. But if you haven’t done your research properly then the whole thing could go really pair-shaped, after much money and time has already been spent. Priority one: focus on research so that you have a very good idea, at least, of what you want.
All good points, in particular the brief. And, also, leaving a margin for increased costs (i would go along with 20-30% from my experience).
The website shouldn’t just be seen as something functional (important as that is for user experience). It’s also a useful marketing tool for demonstrating, to your audience, what you’re about. In other words it should reflect your brand values (a bit like an ad but not to the same degree).

25th August 2009