How to Be a Good Client

Many professionals in the Web design and development industry can agree that every business owner does not make a great client. Frankly, many business owners are stubborn, hard-to-please control freaks.  These traits are key to successful business owners, yet can be harmful to the business’s Website.

When it comes down to the control of a Website’s success, leaving it to Website professionals is essential.  Here are some great steps to becoming a great client and getting the results you really want from your site.

• Be Educated: Education is essential to every Website project. As a business owner, you should really try to understand the Website process before embarking on a project. Learn the roles of each person to be involved, what your responsibilities are, the deliverables of each milestone throughout the project and what you want the end result to be. Like finger prints, no two design companies’ processes are the same, but the concepts are consistent throughout the industry.

• Be Prepared: Be prepared to produce logo files, domain name account information, FTP information, and direction on what the site you seek should offer to your target market. An outline of the navigation is a great way to tackle a Web site project.  A good navigational plan is like a great blueprint for a house.  If you have trouble, most firms will help you solidify your navigational plan. If you don’t have the rest of this information on file or do not know what it is, talk to your current IT company or hosting provider.

  Common Misconception: Web designers are not mind-readers.  Even though Web professionals may know the components of a good Web site, they don’t know your business or your tastes like you do.  Look at competitor sites, industry-specific Websites, and any site that you just plain like.  Starting with some design concepts is better than letting a designer waste time by pulling ideas out of thin air.  Know what you like and what works in your industry before you start.

• Be Vigilant: Make sure you understand the agreement before you sign. Parameters that should be covered include who will be responsible for updating site’s content ongoing, who is hosting the site, milestones of the project, payment terms, time constrictions, how much will additional design changes cost if needed, exactly what is included in the price, etc.  Asking questions beforehand is way easier than fighting something you’ve already agreed to.
• Be a Good Listener: Everyone knows that if you are a business owner you generally must know what you are doing.  However, when it comes to Websites,  business owners want to take control.  A good Web designer will tell you when you make a bad decision.  Most of the time, a Web designer will come up with concepts for a design that express more modern, proven strategies and features.
• Be Kind: There is nothing worse than dealing with a bad attitude.  Some people are impossible to please but we all still have to try.  Giving someone a hard time, treating them like they are below you or outright being mean is unacceptable, yet there are those who make a hobby out of it.  Alienating your design team will get you nowhere.  The nicer you are, the more you get in return.

For information on being a good client or your next Web project, please contact NuRelm at 1.877.2NuRelm Ext. 204 or email info@nurelm.com.