Five Tips for How to Work with a Website Designer or Developer
This week I wanted to share with you, my top five tips for how to work with a designer or developer. Over the past 3 years of website designing and 10 plus years of corporate project management, I’ve learned a lot. It’s time to share how both clients and designers can work together to have a productive and rewarding experience. These five tips are a mix of things you can do before, during and at the end of your business relationship. So that you to get the most out of the design and development experience. It’s essential this working relationship is just like any other: you need to nurture it and focus on communication.
Be open and honest about your creative plans for the site.
People want to be involved at different levels for the design and functionality of their site. Some people are happy to give a few parameterises tiers or guidelines but are happy for me to do most of the look and feel elements to create the best site for them. While other people want to mock up and stretch up every page on their website. It’s important to know if you and your website designer are on the same page and can work well together. Website designers need to know their ideal clients, as much you do.
Have an honest conversation about your communication style
Some people like the straight talking approach from their designer to create a great website. While other clients see it as an extension of themselves and take any comments about changes to their ideas or plans very personally. Part of the skill set of a designer or developer is to help a client through the process of creating a website in a way which allows them to be happy with the end result. Similarly your designer should also share how they like to receive feedback. Be honest about how you wish to be spoken to.
Hold up your end of the bargain!
Typically the clients hasn’t held up their end of the bargain, such as delivering copy (text), images or art work for the site. There is still a lot of responsibility which is required from both parties to make sure the website is completed on time. Make sure the deadlines you agree to meet can be achieved as this can delay the schedule. This can make it much more difficult for the designer to work with you. Remember to read the contract to understand if there are clauses about delays in giving your design the elements requested.
Give specific, focused feedback
During the design and development phrase, it’s super valuable to receive specific and constructive feedback. It’s important to put what you are thinking and feeling into the most concrete terms i.e. I’m not feeling it – isn’t concrete. Instead try something like – I want my website visitors to feel it’s a place of calm and the images look too busy. This allows the designer and the developer to work with you to create the site you want.
Know that perfection isn’t possible.
With websites it is so easy to find another way to make it more fabulous, interesting, aka shinny object syndrome. It’s really important to know when to move to the next stage. There is always something you want to add or change. That is why most websites are rebranded/redesigned every 6 – 18 months. This includes the big corporate sites as well as the ones created for on-line entrepreneurs. The important thing is getting the site live and it’s time to launch.
If you are looking to create a new website and would like a FREE Strategic Website Consult Call here, schedule it here. Our calls are totally no-pressure. We are trying to help you solve problems in your business, not sell you stuff you don’t need.
