The Oatmeal put out a cartoon a few weeks back that really says it all “when web design goes to hell”. Well here are a few tips to insure a smooth web project completion.
1) Explain your process to the client before the project starts
Clients want nothing more than to be informed as to what you are doing behind the curtain. I am not saying you should teach them how to code or what a div tag means, I am talking about explaining the process that you are going take to design their new site. Everyone is different in their design process, but I can bet that not many designers have ever taken the time to elaborate on their web designing technique.
2) Get approval on one phases before moving on to the next phase
Break down your project in phases. Most small business websites should not take any more than 3 phases. Once I have an idea of a layout I ALWAYS get the clients approval before construction starts. If something falls through at the end and you client has approved all phases….well, it’s not your fault at that point. The scope has now changed and usually the price should be adjusted to reflect the additional work put in.
3) Plan your work and work your plan
This is an old direct sales saying. Planning a site is crucial for a smooth project completion. Don’t shoot your self in the foot before the project starts.
4) Be patient
Sometimes clients don’t really know what they want until they see it. You can spend hours on a project and know that its the perfect look for them. As soon as you turn it in…Bam! They hit you with 100 changes out of left field. Just work through them and compromise, your are only getting closer to the completed masterpiece.
5) Sale your work
Finally, don’t be shy and send an email with only a link to the new site. If you are excited about the final product, tell them the reasons why. The client will only love your work all the more. At the end of the day…Its all about the client and what they want but who says you can’t voice your professional opinions and swing the project into the right direction.
