Tim's Blog

If you expect every web project to go smoothly you’re being extremely naive. Problems always occur but most of the time they’re minor enough to fix right away. Other times the issue can seriously affect the quality of the final website. All parties involved in creating a website are all united by the common goal of creating one that works so often these problems are created unintentionally. Here I outline how the client, the web designer and anyone else involved can do things that can get in the way of a good website.

The client

The client is of course very important—without them no websites would get commissioned. There are, however, four main ways a client can unwittingly make creating a good website difficult.

The first one is the ‘amateur web designer’ client. That is someone who has probably obtained a copy of some web design or graphics software and has spent a few hours playing around with it. Such a person is over–the–moon with their new found skills and is keen to showcase them as part of their new website. While certain tools do allow the inexperienced to build websites very quickly—and easily—they are a far cry from a professionally built website. A little knowledge is indeed a dangerous thing and I have already outlined how making your website yourself can cause serious damage to your business. The client should voice their opinions to the web designer but should not actually take part in the design if it’s not their job to do so.

The second thing is indecision; the client who keeps changing their mind. The bigger a site is the harder it is to make amends once the build of the site has begun. It is akin to asking a builder to change the foundations of a house at the point where he’s finishing off the roof. The web designer and client should both agree all major features of a website before it is built.

Thirdly, you can get a client who is too slow at making decisions. Constantly waiting for bits of content to be sent over and to get things signed off can be very frustrating as it not only delays their payday, it is very uneconomical from a time point–of–view to build a website in small fragments. The client and web designer should specify deadlines for each stage of the site (including the supplying of content and signing things off) in the contract (see later).

Finally, we have what I dub the ‘too many cooks syndrome’. This is common in corporate environments; it is when there are lots of people required to sign something off. Similar to the previous point it can delay a project. The syndrome is exacerbated during summer when from June to September you can almost guarantee one of the group who needs to be in on all the decision making is on holiday. This is probably the most difficult problem to address but stating in the contract that only a certain percentage of the decision makers need be present to sign something off can help.

The web designer

Of course as with the client the web designer can be tardy too. When you first start putting together the specification for the project be sure the web designer is working to milestones—and hold them to it.

Some web designers and (particularly large) companies lower their initial price to win the job only to inflate the cost of work done afterwards. This often accounts for why web design quotes differ so much. Be sure to read the small print in the contract to make sure what you see is what you get.

So far, I’ve assumed you have a contract. And this brings us onto the most important point: work to a contract. A contract is a legal binding and mutually beneficial agreement. Among other things the contract should detail out payment terms, milestones, delivery dates and copyright and ownership. Make sure you work to a contract—and read it through carefully to check it covers everything. If you’re unsure—and it’s a big project—it would be worth paying a solicitor to take a look at it.

Other people

There are other people who can get in the way too, not just the client or the web designer.

Sometimes another agency are involved. It’s not uncommon for a marketing or print agency to do the branding and then pass it to the web designer to create the site. This is usually not a problem as they leave you to it but some agencies try to get involved with the web design too. The problem is some agencies have little or no knowledge or experience with the web and they try to apply what they know works in print to a website. Unfortunately, the web and print are very different. Applying print design knowledge to a website is like putting diesel in a petrol car; it may look alright from the outside but once you start running it, it will soon become apparent it’s of no use to you. Websites also have a core purpose that surpasses all design and branding—and that’s to convert users into customers (online enquiries, purchases, account creation, etc). Those not familiar with the web can often place design and branding over this. For the web, this is a big mistake. Always, always get your site designed by someone who knows how the web works.

The previous web designer can also get in the way. Changing your web designer can be a stressful experience if he or she proves to be awkward. My earlier blog post offers advice on how to make the process as easy as possible.

Finally we have ‘the pub expert’. They’re everywhere and they know everything…apparently. A pub expert is usually someone who has a web design friend or has read a Web Design for Dummies–esque book and now considers themselves an authority on the subject. They’ve heard about how the latest open–source content management system can help you get a better, cheaper website. The best way to deal with pub experts is to simply dismiss what they say—or run the idea by your web designer. You can almost guarantee they’ll be talking nonsense.

To prevent things getting in the way of your web project call me on 07843 483 078 or get a free quote online.

Dave Ellis, another Leeds–based web designer, wrote a great post called Ways to get me to not work with you. It covers issues close to most web designers’ hearts—and he finishes with:

Have you got any particular irks when receiving new business emails? I’d love to hear them!

Thanks for your post, Dave. Yes, I have! And I’d like to elaborate on some of the points you raised:

In these economically difficult times it might seem odd that I’d write a blog offering advice on how you can get someone to take your hard–earned cash off you; surely they should be biting your hand off. I gets lots of enquiries for web design projects and of course not all of them turn into work. Sometimes it’s because they find someone else they want to work with—and that’s to be expected. But sometimes even though the job is probably there if I wanted it, I turn it down. A website one of the most important aspects to any business these days—especially in a recession—so the advice herein is to give you the best chance of employing the web designer that’s best for you. So from my experience here’s how to get a web designer to work with you.

Note: Most of my enquiries come via email but quite a few come by telephone. I’m writing this as though you’re filling out a form online or composing an email to ask a web designer for a quote but the points are equally as valid if you’re talking to a web designer on the phone.

Use a personal touch

It’s amazing how far the personal touch goes. What’s even more amazing is despite the fact my name is clearly visible on every single page on my website I still get lots of ‘Dear/Sir Madam’ or ‘Hi’ emails. Even worse, they’ve CC’d all the other companies they’re planning on getting a price from because they couldn’t be bothered to email each one individually. That makes a somewhat bad first impression and also shows that haven’t really looked at your website. Which bring me onto the next point…

Read about the designer/company first

Don’t just fire off quotes indiscriminately; web designers and agencies vary greatly in size and skill sets. Some target specific industries and some favour projects of a certain size. Sending a generic quote to every company you can possibly find through Google just ends up wasting your time and theirs. A web project is seldom something you want to rush into so take the time to read about different companies, look through their portfolio and get a feel for their design approach and their clients.

Stand out from the crowd by doing your research. I specifically say on my contact page that I don’t want to hear from recruitment agencies, work placement students and Indian SEO companies yet not a week goes by that I don’t get at least three or four emails of this nature.

Don’t be too vague

Believe it or not, I’ve had some web design briefs that have been under ten words. Most aren’t that terse but more often than not they don’t give you nearly enough information to give a price out. That’s fine because some clients know they want a website but don’t really know how to express their requirements in terminology that a web person would understand. In such cases arrange to chat with the designer over the phone; don’t pressure them for a price when you haven’t given them sufficient information.

Respect their knowledge and experience

A good way to get the most out of a web designer is to let them take the lead. It can be a little insulting sometimes when someone who has probably never had anything to do with a website before starts telling you that their friend from the pub knows of a better cheaper way to do it than the way you suggested. I once quoted to build quite a complicated management system. I spent a lot of time tweaking it and making it the best possible value only to be told, ‘if it costs that much you must be doing it wrong.’

Don’t try to get them to clean up another designer’s mess

If you’d paid for a cheap website or had the misfortune to get stung by a web design cowboy cut your losses. Trying to salvage a broken website can be more expensive that starting again from scratch. If you’re in this situation and need to change your web designer ask the designer to take a look; if they say you have to start again, start again.

Don’t complain about your budget (or lack of it)

Probably the most irksome thing to be told by a prospective client is they don’t have much money to spend on their project. The first thought that crosses designers’ minds in these instances is usually, ‘so why are you approaching me to get a website built then?’ Most of us would probably also like to point out at this point, ‘I’m not a charity’ but usually tact won’t allow this.

While I appreciate sometimes you don’t have as much money to spend as you like and I do work hard to make the best of a budget it’s important to remember when dealing with a web designer, a limited budget is your problem, not theirs. A decent web designer would not do a cheap website anyway as they know it would damage your business.

In short, it always pays to be clear, honest, friendly and up front. If you’d like to work with me on a project call me on 07843 483 078 or get a free quote online.