PLAIN
ENGLISH PLEASE!
Just because you're aware that you or your business might benefit from a website, it doesn't necessarily mean you know exactly what you want or how to go about it. Ask ten different freelancers or agencies what makes a good website, and you'll likely receive ten different answers regarding what you need and why - not helpful when you're trying to make an informed decision! To make matters even more complicated, there is a lot of technical jargon and industry buzz words that people like to use at any given opportunity, which unless you're familiar with such terms, can lead to confusion and frustration. Quite frankly, it's not necessary a lot of the time. It's like the old saying goes, b*llsh*t baffles brains!
Past experience has shown me that web designers and their clients can occasionally have tumultuous relationships due to misunderstandings and differing technical proficiencies - I'm a 'techy', you're likely not. There’s no reason for you as my prospective client to have an in-depth understanding of RGB or CMYK, for instance, but this information is essential to me as a designer.
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It might sound a bit cliche, but one of my core principals at every stage of designing a website for an individual or a small local business is clear communication. In order for the whole process to keep moving forward as it should, I make sure everyone involved understands what is expected of them, what's happening at any given time, and what happens next. In order to do this, I make a point of not being too 'techy' and, instead, choose to speak to people in gold ol' fashioned English. It makes the whole process easier for everyone!
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Remember, effective communication is two-way. As well as me being non-techy in my approach, there are a few things that you can do for me that will help move your project forward and keep its momentum.
Prepare a Brief
If possible, provide as much detail as you can regarding aspects of the visual design, ie, colours, font, use of images, etc. This helps to avoid a situation where I might be shooting in the dark. I can, and quite often do, work with very little design brief at all because it's assumed offering me a blank canvas is is an advantage, but it’s quite the opposite. In order to make sure I achieve your objectives, it's preferred but not essential to have a brief to respond to.
It's Good to Talk
Communication is vital to any project, but in design, it can mean the difference between meeting a deadline, and not. Be clear about what it is you want. Don’t wait for the first draft to be finished to tell me what you’re looking for. If you want something simplistic or non-conceptual, just say so. It really isn't a problem, but I prefer to have an idea of what direction you want to go in from the off.
Lets Work Together
Not wishing to blow my own trumpet - any worthy web designer does - but I have years of experience and design theory under my belt, complemented by an understanding of user experience. A good designer will also understand the importance and value of a client’s input. The best results can only come from me and you combining our expertise. Creating trust and allowing each other to deliver what we do best won’t just improve the experience as a whole, but also helps make sure the amount of enthusiasm and enjoyment doesn't fade over time. Having a shiny new website is supposed to be exciting!