Web designers are responsible for a myriad of things. Clients are relying on them to make sure the website is user-friendly, accessible, aesthetically pleasing, and Well-Made from the back end to make sure it is well optimized on search engines.
However,
a lot of business leaders and clients do not realize that they also have their
own roles to play in making sure they get the correct results from their websites.
What it means is that there is more to the client and contractor relationship
than just monetary transfers.
Today,
this post will be examining some of the most common errors often made by
clients when they work with full-service digital and technology agencies for
the first time. We all are indeed human and we all make mistakes. Let us now
have a look at how to help clients get back on track in the web design
business.
Client Error # 1 - Provision of
Creativity,
for the most part, is the designer’s responsibility in most web-building
projects. They know the best way to do this for clients.
When
designers discuss a project with a business owner, they can give them an
overview of concepts, like the dark mode design or strategies for digital accessibility.
Yet, they are still relying on clients to let them know about anything
specific.
An
incomplete and insufficient brief in a web design project often means that time
is wasted on a project due to insufficient instructions, making revisions,
updates, and time spent editing the material.
Professionals
from an agency of web design explain that
web designers must get a brief that is complete, and which can reduce mistakes
and misunderstandings in the project.
To
get started with the client, designers must ask them for the following details:
●
Who is the target
audience? Do they have a user persona they would like to share?
●
What specific
features does the website need like forms, widgets, landing pages, etc.
●
Competitor sites
they prefer and the elements they appreciate about those designs?
●
Brand colors and
assets: the preferred hues and shades.
●
Requirements of
technical requirements: Does the website need its own app, integration with
APIs, a checkout solution, etc.
Client Error # 2 - Underestimating
Perhaps
one of the most common errors clients make when seeking help from web designers
is underestimating the work and time needed to make the kind of website they
need. If they did not provide a worthwhile brief first then all the work would
become futile for both the designer and the client.
It
is wise for designers to walk the client through the brief process as it can
help here in the best possible manner.
On
the other hand, if the client has provided the agency a brief and an
unrealistic deadline for completion, The designers and agency might need to
have a discussion with the client about what needs to be done.
Walking
the client through some of the processes involved in creating the website can
give them an insight into how long it will take, in realistic terms, to bring
the ideas to life. Additionally, ensuring that customers completely understand
the amount of work being taken on can also indicate that clients can understand
why they are being charged the amount for the services.
Client Error # 3 - Lack of
Pricing
web design services can be tricky for designers. Clients often complain about
other agencies offering affordable rates, and this forces the agency to make
sure they are charging enough to cover the costs of factors such as the needed
hardware and software. Moreover, they are competing with many others in the
market.
When
agencies go through the hard work of figuring out what the pricing structure
should be, they should be capable of justifying the costs to their clients. It
is common for numerous clients to explore the work with a web designer
expecting to get a blog, a website, and an app for something around USD$ 700
when there is nothing like that.
Agencies
must ensure that the clients are aware of their pricing immediately to avoid
any confusion. If possible, they must exhibit a price range on their website
along with the portfolio. This highlights expenses for various packages and
precisely what the clients will get.
If
clients can see the value in the services, and equate workload based on hours
or skillset, then they will be able to make a proper budget.
Client Error # 4 - Making
Designers
will see that they will be working with a diverse array of clients. At times
they may not know what they want or need. This indicates that they need to
educate them, speak to them about their expectations and discuss what is
possible.
There
is always a chance that they can work with a client who believes that they must
make all the decisions. True, clients should be able to have some control over
the things they like, like the website’s style and features, leaving technical
decisions to the designers.
If
clients try to dictate everything the designers do and how they will do it,
this could make it difficult for them to deliver top-notch work. This is why
agencies must explain their processes to clients in advance, and determine why
they want to use specific technology.
Client Error # 5 - Getting
This
is a problem that is common in creative industries. A client researches and
finds something they like on one website. They get excited and refuse to see
that no matter how attractive that idea is, the concept may not be suitable.
This is something not every client understands.
There can be an instance where the client can come to the agency demanding a website enriched with dynamic animations and videos. However, if their hosting provider does not give them the needed bandwidth then it means the website will be slow and won’t have the needed traffic.
Agencies
and designers can present the issue to their clients in an understandable
manner. They can tell them how speed is essential to top-notch User Experience
(UX) is key to good customer experience. They should share relevant statistics
too and why a page taking more than three seconds to load is a customer-repellent.
Client Error # 6 - Working
Working
with the wrong web designer is a mistake clients often make. It is also one of
the biggest errors too. Out there, a truckload of professionals in this arena
are present and each one presents a unique set of skills, especially in UX
design, eCommerce page creation, and the like.
However,
it is not always easy to understand or determine what a business owner needs
when they are establishing an online presence for the first time.
There
is however good news for web design clientele. A lot of information is present
that can help them make well-0informed decisions. The bad news for designers is
that they have to keep their skills on the top edge if they want to attract
really great clients.
Hence,
web designers must keep their skills up to date with the latest standards by
seeing webinars, undertaking online courses, reading articles, and even
observing TED talks can be brilliant to help them improve their knowledge and
portfolio.
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