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5 Effective Ways to Handle Clients’ Web Design Expectations

A client and designers relationship is extremely important in during every business transaction. It is important to build a healthy relationship between the two. Building a client relationship can help a company build its reputation and help it get more business. This is because a client who is satisfied will refer you to other clients and the chain will go on.

In order to execute the project successfully it is important to understand the different kinds of clients that one has to face. There are basically two types of clients that any business will have to deal with.

The first type is those who give clear directions and acknowledge the team’s efforts as well. These clients are also willing to give a bonus when they are satisfied with the work. The second type of clients is those who are demotivating towards the team and don’t value the team’s efforts and are critical towards them at every stage of the project.  They are also difficult when it comes to payments.

No matter how difficult or easy the client is, it is important to develop a relationship with them which is based on mutual understanding and trust. Understanding the client’s expectations is another factor that dictates whether a project is successfully executed or not. Let’s look at 5 effective ways to handle clients’ web design expectations.

1. Be Honest and Clear

This goes for every project regardless of its nature.  Being honest and clear at the initial stages will save you from trouble later.  Your client will probably ask you loads of questions at the beginning. This is because most people are not aware of the technicalities within a web design project. Moreover, most clients are trying to gather maximum information before any formalities can take place.

It is a common practice for companies to promise more than they can do resulting in chaos towards the end of your project. It is your job to educate your client over the possibilities and the outcome. However, you don’t have to be a pessimistic either. Show your client what you can do, keep a record of all the statistics that prove your competency. Part of your job is also telling your client what can have a positive impact on your business and vice versa. The client will always choose honesty over someone who is all talk and no action.

2. Define your Operating Hours and Payment Procedures

It is important for your mental peace to define your operating hours beforehand. These operating hours can be based on both your and the client’s convenience. Make sure that you mention these hours on a piece of document. Your client should not be allowed to contact you during your off-hours. It is very much possible for you to readily respond to clients as a web designer since you are always connected. Also, it is important for you to follow these hours as well. If your client sees that you are strictly following the times that you have defined that he will not bother you during your off-hours. Once you have defined your operating hours, you and your client also need to decide whether the payment procedure needs to be hourly or fixed price. A project that has too many unknowns can be based at an hourly rate. Whereas, something which you entirely sure about can be based on fixed payment procedures.

2. Write it All Down!

Contracts are an important part of any business transaction. It would be beneficial on your part to write everything down in writing. Other than having contracts, it is important to note down everything including the minutes of the meeting. This is important because once you move ahead in your project there are certain things which you need to look back at for assurance. You can turn down any additional work based on the initial contract signed.

A good contract plays a significant role in the successful execution of any web design-related project. There is a possibility that you may need to hire additional resources that provide graphic design services. It would be suitable for you to develop suitable contracts with all the people you are entering into a business relationship with.

4. Maintain Strong Communication

Building strong communication and maintaining it is an important aspect of every project. You must be aware of all the negotiation tactics that are needed for the project to smoothly take its course. If you are functioning as a big company then assign a mediator whose sole purpose is to ensure that the communication channels are active and working.

Miscommunication in any project especially one that involves web designing can prove to be fatal for the health of any project. Communication is not only important in between the client and the company, but it is also important to develop healthy communication between the people you are working within the company.

5. Address the Red Flags

It is important to address the red flags in a timely manner. In most cases, clients who require web design services come with unrealistic expectations and quick results. They fail to understand the technicalities that lie behind. What may seem like simple actions to the layman have an entire algorithm to make it possible. Your job is to explain to your client the time constraints that are linked with every action. Moreover, take your client into confidence and make them feel as if you are all part of the same team.

If you are capable of spotting the red flags in a timely manner then develop a plan that would help address them. An important part of any project is risk management. Have a suitable contingency plan that you can use to help you through the course of your project.

Conclusion

An important part of any web design project is how well you estimate your timeline. Always have some padding or buffer, this can be in terms of money or time. In case of an emergency situation, you must be at a position in which you can still deliver within the promised budget and deadline.

Written By

Shawn Mike has been working with writing challenging clients for over five years. His educational background in the technical field and business studies has given him the edge to write on many topics. He occasionally writes blog articles for Dynamologic Solutions.

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