The woman leaves the room for a moment, and when she comes back, she is dismayed to find that the children have all begun scribbling on the walls.

There are squiggly lines of color everywhere, ruining her pristine, white paint job. Imagine you are this woman. What do you do next? Do you praise the children’s artistic contribution to the decor? Or do you grab the nearest sponge and start scrubbing frantically before the company comes over?

If you’re like most moms, the answer is obviously the latter, but why? Is it because you want to tyrannize the kids? Infringe on their self-expression? Probably not.

More likely, you just want to maintain a sense of order in the house. Three toddlers running amok with crayons would quickly become chaotic. And in a world of chaos, no one is happy; neither you nor the children, even though they were the ones who started the madness.

Defending Design Simplicity

Antoine de Saint-Exupery once said that “perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” That’s a nice quote, but what does it mean in the practical sense?

Sure, it’s telling us that simple is better than complicated. Most of us know that instinctually. No one wants a pen that’s also a steam iron, a soap dispenser, and a toaster oven. But how do we avoid ending up with one? Here’s a secret: it doesn’t just happen.

Source: Quote – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Most people have an idea of the perfect simple, elegant solution to their design problem. The downside is, so does everyone else who has the same problem. Put them all in a room together, and you’ll have no consensus, but pandemonium.

Everyone will contradict each other, and sometimes even themselves, in pursuit of the “ultimate” solution that will be universally beneficial.

In one of the greatest paradoxes of human nature, when everyone has a say in what they think will make everyone happy, the result – invariably – is that no one is happy.

The underlying imperative of de Saint-Exupery’s words is that there must be someone in charge of a process who makes the single, final decision.

There must be one person – or a small, unified group of persons – who will ruthlessly prune the savage garden of the horde, creating a result that is not what anyone said they wanted, but what is truly needed.

They must be able to think globally rather than provincially. They must be willing and able to ignore what people say and focus on what is objectively best.

They must lead, and they must be vigilant about it. Any slack during this crucial moment, the final verdict will unravel the entire operation, resulting in a quagmire of confusion that will suck everyone under.

In other words, they have to act like Moms.

Don’t Make a Mess

People like to believe they’re an important part of a decision making process. And they are – just not quite in the way they think.

A consumer’s role in the design process is both less and more important than it often appears. It’s less important because what people tell you they want is almost always irrelevant.

That might sound harsh, but it’s actually a good thing. Recall the earlier example of the multi-purpose pen. Everyone you question will tell you something slightly different about what they “really” want in a pen.

Some people will want a pen that can light up. Others will want a pen that does arithmetic. Still, others will want one that can write underwater, or that is made out of living plant fibers, or that will give off a heavenly aroma of freshly baked cookies.

If you’re a reasonable sort, you’ll want to take everyone’s ideas equally seriously. It’s only fair – the customer is always right.

Plus, you might think all those ideas sound equally as cool – who wouldn’t want a pen that can do all of those things? In magical unicorn land, it would be perfect, a must-have item. But here’s the thing about the real world: when you add features, you get mass, and mass equals mess. Let me repeat that: features = mass = mess.

And a mess is completely at odds with de Saint-Exupery’s words of wisdom above. Nobody likes a mess. That perfect pen dreamed up by your well-meaning consumer test group would be the size of a wine bottle and weigh as much as a brick.

Sure, it would have all the features everyone asked for, but who do you think is actually going to use it? What people say is irrelevant.

As a designer, you must be prepared, like a good, caring mom, to give them what they need.

A consumer’s big, important role to play in a design process – their time to shine – is in demonstrating what they really, truly need in a product. Contrary to the things people say, what they need is extremely important. It is only through solving a need that any designer can hope to have a career. But how do you tell the difference?

If you can’t trust people to tell you what they need (and you can’t), how can you possibly figure it out? Should you guess? Do you simply create things arbitrarily, assuming you instinctually know what everyone’s needs are?

Of course not. That’s just as careless as adding too much mass. Do you embrace your inner creep and watch them intently, observing their habits and formulating an ideal solution based on what you see?

Well… yes.

People love to tell you how iconoclastic they are. Everyone else is one way, but they are different because (fill in the blank).

The truth is, the majority of human beings on this planet are remarkably similar in behavior, even people who might superficially be categorized as “different.”

True deviations from the norm are often frightening – sociopaths and murderers – or patently obvious mental or personality disorders. The rest of us – natives and immigrants, extroverts and introverts, liberals and conservatives, iOS users and Android – we’re all more alike than we typically care to admit.

And when we come together to form a market for a product, our actions as a unit usually prove it. We demonstrate what we really want, what we need, by how we behave; what we buy, when we buy it, how we pay for it, or even if we pay for it.

This is the meat of good design, the thing that makes it revolutionary. You must indulge your inner creep, or your inner mom, and let your market speak to you not with what they say, but with what they do.

The post Avoiding Design by Committee appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

The challenge is that some clients don’t provide lasting revenue. After their project launches, money tends to dry up. You may have trouble justifying the cost of keeping them.

What costs? The responsibility of looking after their website, for one. If something breaks, you’ll be the one to fix it. The same goes for making small changes. This requires time. And it can get in the way of more profitable tasks.

It doesn’t have to be that way. The right strategies can ensure that every client is a profitable one. The key is in providing value. Here are a few ideas for increasing revenue from your existing clients.

Work With Yearly Maintenance Plans

Website maintenance plans are a great way to boost revenue. And they’re especially important in the age of content management systems (CMS). Apps like WordPress require frequent updates – not to mention a 24/7 focus on security.

The concept is simple: charge a yearly fee in exchange for a well-defined service. Specify what you’ll do and how much time you’ll commit to the job. Clients get peace of mind, and you’ll gain some extra cash.

Not all clients prefer this type of arrangement, however. They’d rather contact you when they need something. It’s particularly convenient for organizations that don’t make many changes to their site.

In that case, you could offer an hourly rate. But you might charge a higher price in exchange for this convenience. That way, you’re still making an acceptable profit.

An hourly rate is completely optional, though. The goal should be to funnel as many clients into a maintenance agreement as possible. This will provide you with predictable, recurring revenue.

Offer Subscription-Based Services to Clients

Maintenance isn’t the only subscription-based service web designers can offer. There are related items that can add value as well:

Web Hosting

There are benefits to hosting your client’s website. First, it ensures that their site is on a platform you are familiar with. This can make building, maintaining, and troubleshooting more efficient.

It also adds to your bottom line. You’ll be able to charge monthly or yearly fees for the service.

Just to be clear: this doesn’t mean setting up a server in your office. Instead, you can resell server space from an established hosting company.

The potential downside is that you’ll likely be the point of contact when something goes wrong. Therefore, you may want to charge a premium to cover the extra responsibility.

SEO & Analytics

Search engine optimization (SEO) has become a cottage industry. But it’s a relatable subject that web designers can master. Thus, it’s a natural extension of your core business.

And SEO goes well beyond the initial setup. Monitoring results through analytics provides important data. From there, you can adjust your strategy to align with client goals.

The adjustments can take many forms. It could be a few simple content changes. Or you might change a site’s structure to better serve users. Regardless, there are opportunities to generate revenue.

This service may be a perfect fit if you enjoy digging into numbers. Clients will be happy to pay for your expertise.

Content Creation & Email List Management

There is also subscription service potential for designers with marketing skills. Creating content for clients and helping to manage their email lists are prime examples.

Many clients have an ongoing need for both services. For example, those without an in-house marketer might need help writing blog posts. This keeps users engaged while your client can focus on running their business.

Email list management could be a stretch for some. But if you’re already creating content for their website, writing newsletters isn’t so far-fetched.

There is money to be made in the right situations. And these projects may fit in with what you’re already doing.

If All Else Fails, Raise Your Prices

If you’re already doing one or more of the above, good for you! That means you’re seizing the opportunity to enhance your services list. And you’re making the most out of your existing client relationships.

But the cost of everything is rising. Thus, you may need to raise your prices to keep pace.

This move shouldn’t be taken lightly, though. Clients who are already tired of increased costs may not be willing or able to pay more.

Therefore, this should be a rare event. Yearly increases, for instance, will eventually alienate some people. But doing so every 2-3 years may be more acceptable.

It’s OK to pad your bottom line. But it’s also wise to empathize with clients. Money for the sake of money isn’t a good reason to raise prices.

It Pays to Focus On Existing Clients

It can be easy to look past existing clients. Some of that may be due to the industry’s narrative. It seems like we’re constantly being advised to go bigger and better.

As such, we don’t always maximize their value. That’s a shame. Existing clients are vital to helping your business grow. We can rely on them even when we’re having difficulty booking new projects.

So, take the time to examine your client roster. Get a sense of how much revenue each one generates. Find areas where you can add value. Then create a plan to increase those numbers.

The extra money you make will add sustainability to your business. And your clients will get the services they need to succeed. It’s a win for everyone!

The post How to Increase Revenue From Your Existing Web Design Clients appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Your viewer’s first impression of your content does not need to result in a sale. It’s nice if it does, but your client and even you may not know what your design is actually doing. What your main goal is as a designer is to make a memorable impression. Your design should stop your viewer in their tracks and compel them to go on to the next page, image, or piece of copy.

Basically, your design has to seize your viewer’s eyeballs, and hold them for long enough that they move on to the next visual cue. Like a street patrol officer waving a flag that directs traffic, your design must be eye-catching and invite curiosity about what is going on.

In this article I’m going to talk about what you’re really supposed to be doing as a designer, and just what role your designs play in your client’s sales funnel.

Stop, Look, and Listen

It’s a common piece of conventional wisdom in copywriting that the purpose of your first sentence is to get someone to read the next sentence, and so on until they get to the end and you’ve made a sale.

Design is the same way, and works alongside copywriting to achieve the same effect. Selling is a process that usually doesn’t happen immediately.

People have to get to know your brand and whether or not it’s relevant to them specifically. You can only do that through telling a compelling story that’s written in their language. To start the process, they have to be willing to listen to what you’re saying.

Don’t Ruin The Story

As a business owner, your client has a story to tell their customers. That story is probably longer than a logo or a banner ad. To be compelling enough for customers to want to buy, the story must be told gradually. Any other method cheapens the whole experience and sours your prospect against any potential sale.

Think about the last time you went to the movies. What if, rather than letting the film play for the audience, the filmmaker simply popped up on the screen and told you a quick summary of what happens. You’d be furious. You came to see a story, not some random guy telling you a bunch of spoilers.

Your prospective viewers are the same way. They don’t want to be inundated with the quick and dirty details of the story before they’ve had a chance to experience the entire thing unfold organically.

Let Them See Themselves

As consumers, we like to see ourselves reflected in any marketing materials directed toward us.

This means that, if I’m a 30-year-old mother of 2 looking for a fun game I can buy for my kids, I do not want to see images that aren’t relevant to my exact situation. I don’t want to see 20-year-old college students, or 70-year-old seniors, or dogs, or babies or zebras or teddy bears.

I want to see women in my age range with children around the same age as mine, enjoying the product I’m looking for. If I don’t see this exact combination, I’m out of there.

We all look for stories that we can relate to – those stories that closely mirror our own and provide a solution that would be appropriate for us.

The bigger the purchase, the more important this becomes. You would never purchase a luxury car from an ad that was aimed at a completely different demographic from your own.

Targeting a niche is especially important in this day and age, when there are so many choices out there. If I don’t find what I’m looking for in one place, I can go to 50 others just like it.

As a designer, it’s your job to make sure I know that those fifty other businesses are not just like your clients. Your client’s business is different. It’s just for me. Your job is to tell me why.

In Conclusion

It’s worth mentioning that, while the purpose of your design may not be to directly make a sale, it still plays a vital role in the overall sales process.

Without your design, no one would bother looking at your client’s product or service offering at all. Just like you’d be less likely to want to go see a movie based on a text-only description, rather than a full-color poster or trailer, your viewers are dying to see what story you can entice them to want to listen to.

How do your designs help draw in your client’s target audience? Have any ideas for how to enrich the storytelling process we as designers engage in with our work?

The post The Role Design Plays in Your Client’s Sales Funnel appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Haggling over price is as old as commerce itself. But we still need to make a living. Thus, if we provided a discount every time one was requested, we’d go broke.

That’s why full price should be the norm for most clients. Doing things this way has several benefits.

For one, it keeps your bank account in good shape. Plus, it helps you predict future revenue and serves as a motivator. A case can also be made that it reduces stress. You’ll avoid becoming desperate for that next project to come along.

Still, that doesn’t mean discounts are never a good move. There are scenarios where it might make sense for your business. Here are a few times when a discount should be on the table.

Charity Website Projects

Many businesses offer discounts to non-profit organizations. For example, everyone from internet providers to banks provides money-saving deals. Some see it as a moral obligation. Others may look at it as a chance to gain some positive publicity.

For web designers, especially solo entrepreneurs, it can be more complicated. We don’t have the financial resources of bigger companies. Deep discounts can disrupt our revenue stream.

There is room for compromise, however. Perhaps discounts could be reserved for causes that are close to your heart. A local charity with a tight budget is a prime example. A food bank, a homeless shelter, or an animal rescue are possibilities.

In those cases, you might find building a website to be a true labor of love. As such, money shouldn’t be the main object.

It is important to be judicious about who receives discounts, however. You don’t want to get into a situation where you’re putting in hours of work without fair compensation.

Loyal Clients Looking for a Website Redesign

The truly lucky among us will have clients that stick with us for years. Not only are they a pleasure to work with, but they also pay on time and make referrals.

These folks help to keep your business going. Because of that, they deserve a special place on your client list. They are VIPs.

Providing a small discount on a website redesign is both good business and a way of saying “thank you.” If they’ve generated substantial revenue, any amount you can knock off the price is worth it.

This helps to continue building goodwill in your relationship. In turn, you’ll know that you can count on their continued patronage. And they’ll be happy to spread the word about your business.

During Tough Times

Inevitably, one of your clients will go through a difficult time. It could be part of a widespread crisis such as a pandemic. Or maybe something localized like a fire or bankruptcy.

Regardless, this might be an appropriate time to provide a discount. Again, it’s about helping to strengthen your relationship. This demonstrates that you have your client’s back.

There’s also some practicality involved. If you charge recurring fees for maintenance packages or web hosting, it may be difficult for your client to pay. Providing a discount or splitting up payments might make the ultimate difference in whether you get paid.

Not sure what to do? It may depend on your experience with a particular client. If they’re generally on time with payment and great to work with, this makes the decision easier.

When NOT to Discount Your Web Design Services

The scenarios above are the exception. Plenty of people will ask you for discounts. It’s usually better to say “no.”

Prospective clients are shopping around for the best deal. That’s their prerogative. But web designers will not benefit from a pricing war. It’s a race to the bottom that will leave you with regret.

Some proclaim that providing a discount now carries the promise of “more work” later. This is one of the oldest tricks in the book – don’t give in. Unless future revenue is guaranteed in writing, you’re unlikely to ever see those brighter days.

Existing clients are a bit more complex. As we mentioned earlier, it’s fine to provide discounts to your VIPs. They’ve more than made up for whatever deal you offer.

But some people simply don’t want to pay for anything. And they expect others to bend to their demands.

It can be a sign of a one-way relationship. One where your experience and expertise aren’t valued. It might be better to see them walk away in an angry heap than to feed their ego.

It’s Your Business, Your Decision

The lesson here is simple: just because someone asks for a discount doesn’t mean they should receive one. You might even make the case that the opposite is true.

Some people do deserve a break, though. For example, non-profit organizations and loyal clients. Their actions may move you to offer lower pricing without being asked.

It’s your web design business. Therefore, you get to make those decisions. Choose wisely!

The post Should a Web Designer Ever Provide Discounts? appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

The web can be a scary place – even for seasoned designers. Trying to wrap our heads around privacy issues, security, accessibility and new technologies can make anyone’s head spin. So, just think of what they can do to the people who depend on us for help.

In some ways, it’s even worse for our clients. Why? Because there are any number of bad actors out there who are constantly trying to trick them, hack their site or otherwise extort a few extra dollars. Not to mention the perfectly legitimate things that, while innocent enough, can put a non-techie into a cold sweat.

With that in mind, here are a few items that tend to put even cool clients into panic mode. But don’t worry. Each one includes some tips for talking them off the emotional ledge.

Mysterious Spam Invoices

If you own a website, or even a domain, odds are you’re going to start receiving all manner of nuisance messages. Whether they appear in your inbox or your postal mail, their aim is to get you to spend money – often out of fear.

One of the more famous examples of this are phony domain registration renewals. A company (if you can call it that) will send a letter that looks like an invoice, claiming the client’s domain name is about to expire. It will probably mention all the terrible things that can happen if they don’t renew this instant. And, oh yeah, the cost is massively marked up.

The only trouble is that your client has never heard of this company. So naturally, they’ll ask you about it. They may wonder if they’ve missed the deadline and why the price is suddenly higher. Have they already lost the domain? What will happen to their business?

Honorable mention goes out to those great “let me fix your website” emails that show up regularly. But they’re only kind of scary.

What to Do

When your client comes to you with a scam message, tell them so. But also tell them, if necessary, who their domain registrar is and why it’s important to have that information on file. It’s a great chance to educate them.

Red Alerts from Google Search Console

No, it’s not just spam that gets a client’s heart racing. The emails sent out by Google Search Console can be even more frightening.

The search/email/operating system/home device/phone/world-dominating giant has been known to inundate our inboxes with all sorts of “helpful” messages about our websites. Sometimes it thinks buttons are too close together or text is too small. In other instances, it complains about missing attributes within breadcrumb links.

That’s not to say these messages can’t point out some legitimate website issues. But often, it’s more likely to cause the recipient to worry about something that is realistically harmless. Worse yet, it gets forwarded to a web designer, who suddenly needs another glass of wine.

What to Do

Whatever rubbish Google sends, it should still be looked into – just in case. Still, it’s worth mentioning that these messages need to be taken with a grain of salt. Clients shouldn’t worry that their site won’t be indexed or that they’re somehow being punished by an algorithm.

Let them know that Google’s automated tools can often focus on the minutiae. And, while you’ll be glad to review the issue, it most likely isn’t a major concern.

The Cache Trap

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a client request a change, which you make, and receive a message back stating that they “can’t see it”.

Even though I can’t see you (Google probably can, though), I’d expect many hands to be in the air. That’s because “cache panic” is probably as old as web design itself. For years, it’s been a game of cat-and-mouse where we attempt to help our clients clear out browser cache – a sometimes painful experience.

I mention this because it seems to be more prevalent than ever with certain website configurations. Managed WordPress hosting services have been particularly difficult in this area. With some, it’s not just browser-based cache, we also need to worry about server-based as well. The result is a lot of wasted time, trying to get everyone on the same page.

What to Do

First, get a stress ball. Next, teach your clients about the wonders of cache and how they can clear it from their browser. In most cases, that will do the trick.

If you find that your web host has tough-to-clear server cache, it may be worth trying a staging environment. This would allow you to make changes on a non-cached location, while enabling your clients to see updates before you push them to production.

Shapeshifting Tools

Change is difficult – especially when it comes to software. And it seems like, just when we find a comfortable routine, it all gets blown up by what vendors like to call “UI enhancements”.

This can really throw a monkey wrench into the lives of clients who update their own website. After all, they’re not web designers and don’t have time or interest in keeping up with the industry. They simply wake up one day, log into their website and find that their whole process is turned upside down.

The most recent example of this is the WordPress Gutenberg block editor. It looks and functions quite differently from the old Classic Editor. Not to mention that early versions lacked the polish we see today.

This led to a lot of confusion, frustration and, yes, even a little fear that things would break.

What to Do

Frankly, it often falls on designers to stay ahead of the game with these kinds of changes. If we see major developments coming along to the sites we manage, we should act to make the transition as smooth as possible (or delay it indefinitely).

In the case of Gutenberg, that meant educating clients about the new editor. And, in some cases, perhaps installing the Classic Editor to keep the status quo. It’s all about minimizing discomfort.

Web Designers: Lifting the Fog of Fear

It seems like just about every day, there’s something to put a scare into our clients. Whether it’s a crafty scammer, a nitpicking search giant or advancements in technology – we web designers are bound to be asked about it.

Certainly, having to calmly explain these situations can become tiring. There is no shortage of other things on our to-do lists. But on the bright side, it can be very satisfying to help clear up misconceptions and bring even a tiny level of comfort to someone else.

That in itself is a reward and it also helps to build a high level of trust between designer and client. And, looking like a superhero isn’t so bad, either.

The post Things That Will Scare Your Web Design Clients appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Sure, it may accurately describe what a client is willing to pay. That doesn’t speak to the challenges involved, though. These projects always tend to be more than meets the eye.

I’ve spent over a decade working in the WordPress space. And I can’t recall a single project that didn’t involve multiple revisions and at least some customization. Even a website that uses a third-party theme and a few select plugins will need some tweaks. This process encompasses projects at every pricing level.

It begs the question: are low-cost WordPress projects worth your time? The answer depends on what exactly you’re looking to gain.

Don’t Expect to Improve Your Financial Standing

Building websites at a discounted rate rarely ends up making you rich – at least not at the lower end of the scale. And, despite its massive ecosystem, utilizing WordPress in these projects only complicates the matter.

The theory behind low pricing is often based on two things:

• Working on a higher volume of projects;
• Offering lucrative upsells;

This clashes with the typical WordPress site. There are an almost endless array of themes and plugins to choose from (we’re not including from-scratch custom work, as that’s likely beyond a small budget). Thus, there are so many potential tweaks a client can ask for.

To turn a good profit, it would seem that a designer needs to be ultra-specific regarding what’s included in their baseline deal. Otherwise, the line between included services and upsells can become blurred.

Not to mention the time involved in the build and revision processes. There may not be enough hours in the day to work on the volume of projects necessary to earn a healthy sum.

You’ll Learn Some Things about WordPress

Every project – regardless of price – represents an opportunity to learn. Putting a website together on a shoestring budget provides its own unique experience in this area.

Because we’re talking about low-cost projects, the chance to dive into custom code will likely be limited. That is unless you’re approaching things with the sole purpose of learning.

Even if that’s not the case, the knowledge you gain can still be valuable. For example, you’ll have lots of one-on-one time with the WordPress back end. That provides a foundation of how the dashboard works, where various settings reside, and plenty of practice with the Gutenberg block editor.

Then there’s also a great benefit to learning about WordPress plugins. Building these sorts of websites often means relying on third-party code. You’ll have a chance to find niche plugins that you can use both now and in the future. That’s a great resource to have at your disposal as you move through various projects.

In addition, you’ll also be able to identify pain points that arise during the build process. Knowing, for instance, what a particular theme can and can’t do has value. The same goes for plugins and WordPress itself.

An Opportunity to Build Your Portfolio

If your portfolio is a little on the thin side, taking on smaller sites can be an effective way to beef it up. This is particularly important when you’re in the beginning stages of your career, when new clients may be hard to find.

However, you’ll want to approach this area with some caution. Adding low-budget WordPress projects to your portfolio can be a double-edged sword.

On one side, proudly displaying your work can add legitimacy to your brand. A prospective client will see what you’ve done and have confidence that you are qualified.

The downside is in how those projects are perceived. If a specific website looks low-budget, you may set yourself up to be typecast. Organizations may see you as someone they can turn to for cheap pricing, which may not be ideal for your long-term growth.

Therefore, it’s best to use some discretion as to which projects make it into your portfolio. Include those that have something unique to offer, but perhaps leave out the ones that are of a lower level.

Know What You’re Getting Into

The decision of whether or not to work on low-cost WordPress websites is a very personal one. So much depends on where you are in your career and what you’re looking to achieve.

Veteran designers and developers may not have much reason to play in this space. Although, some may see it as a way to fill in some gaps in their schedule or help out a friend.

If you’re just starting, there is a lot of value in building a cheap website or two. The more you can work with WordPress, the more proficient you’ll become with the content management system (CMS). This experience can pay off down the road.

Besides, very few of us start out working on high-end projects. The natural path tends to be starting small and moving up over time. This can better prepare you for the responsibilities and advanced knowledge required to work with larger organizations.

However, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. If you’re comfortable with the limitations that come along with low-cost projects, then don’t be afraid to jump in.

The post Are Low-Cost WordPress Projects Worth Your Time? appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

I’m thankful that most of my client experiences have been positive. And many relationships have withstood the test of time. Some have lasted for 20+ years.

And just as bad clients display certain traits – so do good ones. They provide clues as to what it’s like to work with them. Maybe we can refer to them as “green” flags – as opposed to red.

With that in mind, let’s look at traits that make for a great web design client.

1. They’re Willing To Listen to Your Ideas

When someone hires you to build their website, it’s nice to know that they trust your expertise. After all, a web designer does more than take directions.

Providing advice is part of the job. It can help clients get the most out of a project. We know what works and what doesn’t. And our experience with different tools and techniques is beneficial.

The best clients tend to seek your professional opinion. And they seriously consider what you have to say. It doesn’t mean that they’ll always do things your way. But they value your opinion.

2. They Have Realistic Goals for Their Website

Projects that lack a clear goal are difficult. But clients aren’t always sure of their specific needs. Thus, designers are forced to work with the few puzzle pieces that are provided. And they must also fill in any remaining gaps.

On the other hand, a client who has specific, tangible goals for their website brings clarity. Knowing someone’s needs and expectations allows you to create a plan. Here’s to no more guessing games!

It’s also worth noting that you have an opportunity to help guide clients in the right direction. Therefore, don’t be too discouraged by a slow start. There’s still time to develop those goals.

3. They’re Willing to Spend for Quality

Even the biggest projects have budgetary restrictions. It’s something we all deal with. But there are circumstances when a project’s expectations have simply outgrown its budget.

Sure, there are plenty of free resources available. WordPress themes and plugins come to mind. But they aren’t always the best tool for the job. Without an investment in quality, the outcome will suffer.

You’ll gain an appreciation for clients who understand this reality. Sometimes money must be spent to do things right, particularly when it comes to eCommerce. A little money invested upfront can save extra costs (and headaches) down the road.

This also goes together with clients who are good listeners. Part of our advisory role is to recommend tools and services that produce the best outcomes. The hope is that they’ll take our advice and make the best decision possible.

4. They Value You and Your Time

Some clients don’t make you feel like a valued member of their team. They’ll dismiss your ideas and toss aside concerns. You may even be left out when big decisions are made.

On the other hand, it’s a wonderful feeling when someone treats you like family. They understand that you’re busy. They don’t waste your time. And when something happens in your life (good or bad), they offer words of encouragement.

For example, I witnessed the birth of my daughter and the passing of my mother. In both instances, several clients took time to send congratulations or condolences. It makes for a stronger relationship – one where everyone feels like they matter.

It also helps when clients make a good-faith effort to pay invoices. Doing so is a sign that they value and respect you.

5. They Tell Their Friends About You

Client referrals are a great compliment. It says that someone enjoyed working with you and is happy with the results. What’s more, you get the sense that they want you to succeed.

Referrals must be earned, though. Hard work, honesty, and a job well done are key ingredients.

But it takes a special person to recognize your efforts and recommend your services. Even if a referral doesn’t work out, their thoughtfulness still counts.

A Great Client is a Gift

We all have an idea of a “dream” client. Maybe it’s someone that pays well and asks for little in return. Or it could be someone who provides you with creative freedom. Maybe they drive a Ferrari and let you get behind the wheel.

Fantasies aside, it’s important to recognize those who value what we do. The greatest clients are the ones who keep our businesses running. Without their trust, we wouldn’t be here.

So, let’s raise a glass to our best clients. Give them thanks for being part of the journey!

The post 5 Things to Look for in a Great Web Design Client appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

Finding work is only part of the challenge, though. As the old saying goes: “Be careful what you wish for”. Booking projects means that you’re going to have to manage them. Taking care of several websites simultaneously is a big responsibility and you need a system to make it all work.

Let’s take a look at a few things that can help you take charge and better serve your clients.

Prioritize

In a perfect world, you’d treat all projects equally. Last time I checked, however, perfection was not among the world’s many attributes. That means we should find ways to prioritize our projects.

Projects which have a tight deadline and will make you the most money should (in general) come first. Schedule yourself enough time on a daily or weekly basis to take care of your most pressing tasks. The rest of your time can be spent knocking out the smaller, less urgent items on your list.

Keep Task Lists

Speaking of lists, you should really consider keeping a list of tasks to be done for each project. I love Trello for this purpose. I use it to keep a running self-dialogue of what I’ve done and still need to accomplish for each project I’m working on.

There are several apps and online services to help you visualize your to-do list. But you could also use a text document or good old paper and pencil. Just having a way to see your tasks laid out in front of you can help you stay on top of them.

Set Expectations

We all want to please our clients. That said, what if every one of them asked for something to be done on the same day? Would you keep saying, “No problem, I can do it…”? Probably not the best idea.

While we can’t necessarily eliminate last-minute tasks from coming in, we can set expectations of how long other tasks will take. Look at your workload and give an honest assessment of when you’ll have time for a client’s project. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a bit of cushion just in case things are busier than expected.

Then, if you are able to deliver the project sooner than you originally stated, you’ll look like a web superhero! That makes clients happy and will help keep you sane.

Know Your Limits

While it may sound obvious, many of us do not quite know our limitations when it comes to taking on projects. Freelancers are a confident and talented lot and we often believe there’s no project we can’t tackle.

Limitations are different for everyone. Some of us don’t mind working as many nights and weekends as needed. Others value leisure time with family and friends.

The bottom line here is to take on an amount of projects that you are comfortable handling. If it’s going to stress you out and interfere with your other responsibilities, you may want to think twice about signing up.

Putting it All Together

While talent certainly goes a long way in this line of work, you also need to possess a certain level of organization and responsibility to make your freelance business flourish.

Create a process that you’re comfortable with for your business. Organize and prioritize your tasks. Know what your schedule will and won’t allow you to do. Above all, keep things as simple as possible. This will help you stay on top of your to-do list and keep projects on schedule.

The post How to Manage Multiple Websites for Multiple Clients appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

In truth, I can say that the overwhelming majority of clients I’ve worked for have been a pleasure to deal with. But there have also been a few difficult experiences that have left me both frustrated and disappointed. In some cases, we were able to salvage the relationship and move forward. Other times, parting ways was the only sensible thing to do. Not much different from a romance, I suppose.

Part of the challenge is determining whether a relationship can be saved and when it can’t. How do we know when a client has gone beyond the breaking point? Here are some signs to look for that will help you make the right decision.

They Routinely Make You Feel Uncomfortable

There are a number of different ways a client can make us feel uncomfortable. There’s the obvious signs of someone who attempts to take things in a more, shall we say “personal” direction. We don’t need to dive too deep into the headlines to see that taking place just about everywhere.

But there are plenty of other areas to explore. It could be that they routinely ask you to do things that you find morally objectionable (stealing content, for example). They might speak to you or others in a disrespectful way. Or it could even be a bit of a seemingly-unstable personality that gives you the willies.

That last one certainly rings true in my experience. I’ve been in a couple of situations with people who were very threatening (although not necessarily directed towards me) and made me wonder when (not if) they were going to throw the gauntlet down in front of me. The sad part was that, eventually, I did have to dodge those gauntlets on my way out the door.

The bottom line is that anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable on a regular basis has crossed the line – whether they know it or not. Sometimes, people really don’t realize they’re doing something until you call attention to it. You may be able to politely mention such an issue. But you’ll need to use your best judgment in this area.

Expecting the Moon

I once had an experience with someone who was in an incredible hurry to get a project quoted, demoed and done. Fair enough. But that person (who I didn’t know previously) expected the quote on the same weekend morning when they first reached out. I nicely asked them to wait until the work week started back up again. When we did speak, I found out that they wanted a rather large project turned around within what I deemed an unreasonably short timeframe. And, it was to be done for less than a third of what I would normally charge. Suffice it to say that the project didn’t work out.

While it’s quite understandable that someone could have both a tight deadline and budget, it’s also asking a bit much of a freelancer. You can’t necessarily put aside everything else on your plate to focus on just one, lower-paying project.

You absolutely want to make a client as happy as can be – but not at the expense of your other clients. When someone makes what you consider to be an unreasonable demand, it’s often not worth the effort. Especially so when someone comes to you, sight unseen, and places those kinds of expectations on you.

There are times when a loyal client may be in a pinch and could really use your help on short notice. That’s a different story, as they’re more likely to be appreciative and considerate of your time.

But if someone comes through the door with a list of demands and no willingness to work with you on a compromise – you’re better off staying away.

Breaking Trust

If you feel a sense of responsibility to your clients, then you know how important it is to establish trust with them. But trust is also a two-way street in that we need to be able to trust in our clients, as well. A designer needs to trust that:

• They’ll get paid on time.
• The project they’re working on is legitimate.
• A client is acting in good faith.

From time to time, you will run into a situation where a client has an unexpected financial hardship – which is understandable. Any one of us could be there with a little bad luck.

But, most times, when someone breaks that trust, there’s generally no good excuse for it. For example, I once worked with an organization that approved the launch of a new site – a process that took hours in this particular case. Only once it was launched, it was demanded that the old site be put back immediately. Why? Because one of the principals involved never took time to review it over the months it was being developed. That lack of involvement, combined with similar prior incidents, was essentially the end of the relationship.

Every one of us makes mistakes, and I’m a big believer in forgiveness. Thankfully, I’ve been forgiven many times over the years. But there are certain actions where we have to draw the line. If a designer fails to act in good faith – then we’ll undoubtedly get axed. It should be the same with clients.

Successful Relationships Require Mutual Respect

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to work with a lot of great people in your career. You may not always see eye-to-eye and you may even have different visions for a project. But there’s a certain amount of give-and-take with any type of relationship. When there is a mutual respect, problems get resolved and things have a way of moving forward in a positive direction.

In those rare times when something isn’t worth saving, it’s important to know that both parties can go their own separate ways when possible. You can chalk it up as a valuable experience. Only when you go through a failed situation do you truly know what it’s like. From there, you can learn from it and (hopefully) sharpen your sense for avoiding a bad relationship.

The post How to Deal with Clients Who Have Gone Too Far appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.

I’m talking, of course, about the panicky clients; the clients who see everything as the most urgent emergency ever. The ones who call you 20 times at 2am with “urgent” messages and tasks that for some mysterious reason can’t wait until a decent hour.

We’re going to address these panickers and go over some ways to deal with them that will not only de-escalate their panic, but even bring them around to your point of view and make them more respectful clients for the next designer they work with.

I know it seems impossible, but with a little bit of work on your part, it’s totally doable.

The Root Of The Panic

When dealing with freelancers, it’s natural to be a bit nervous. If you’re dealing with an excessively panicky client, however, there’s usually something else going on.

Get in their heads and figure out what’s really bothering them. It’s rarely the work itself – usually the client has some reason to fear that they’re not getting the full value from you that they’re paying for. Alleviate their fears by providing regular status updates.

If a client is persistent in contacting you about trivial things, you can subtly give them a clue that they’re being obnoxious.

How? Simply direct the client to a Google doc containing your most recent updates every time they bug you. If you do this enough times, with no harsh words or complaints, most people will eventually get the hint and stop bothering you.

Is It Really An Emergency?

Everything can’t be an emergency. Your client must understand that there must be a hierarchy maintained of most important to least important tasks if you are to get any work done.

If it seems like everything is an “emergency” or “urgent” to your client, don’t be afraid to pull out your schedule and directly ask them what they want you to knock off your priority list. No client is going to say, ‘oh, this really important thing isn’t as important as this silly thing I came up with just now.’

If something truly is that important to your client, they will likely give you enough of a warning beforehand and send the signal that it’s definitely something you need to take seriously.

And if there is no time for a warning, you can use your best judgment to determine whether the task will directly impact the deadline for your work and advise your client on the best course to take.

Time Is Money

Let your client know there is an actual cost to micromanagement and false alarms. Give them hard data as to how much their overzealousness is costing them. If, for example, I spend X amount of time doing status updates for a client, you can be sure I’m going to point that out to them.

Many people don’t realize how much time it takes for you to respond to their requests, either because they forget they’re paying by the hour or because they’re simply caught up with other things.

Avoid Pointless Busy Work

Sometimes, especially with a long-term project, clients get a bit unfocused and start seeing you as everything from a butler to a personal assistant to a grade school arts and crafts instructor.

They’ll ask you to fetch their dog from the vet, or glue rhinestones on the wedding invitations you received from the printer, or some other silly task that isn’t remotely in your job description.

You can gently remind them that you are there to do serious work that requires the use of your unique, high-level skills by subtly listing your “rates” for these minor requests.

If the price is disproportionate enough (“sure, I’ll walk your pet guinea pig – it’ll only cost you $500”), they’ll slowly get the hint that you probably aren’t the person who should be doing those kinds of things.

Always Keep A Record

When dealing with clients who want to waste your time with trivial, unimportant work, it’s important to be ultra-detailed in your communication records.

Why? Because these clients can get so caught up in their own neurotic freak-outs that they conveniently forget that every silly thing they ask you to do is going to be tacked onto their bill.

This can end badly when it’s time to send that invoice. Get sign-offs on a regular basis – make sure the client is well aware that these little diversions are costing them real money.

If you have to, ask your client to confirm that they received your emails warning them whenever they swerved too far into the crazy lane. Then, when there’s a dispute (and there usually is), you can simply pull out your notes – with their responses displayed prominently – and remind them that they signed off on it earlier.

If you want to be extra smug, you can ask them if they have any concerns about your records, or if they’ve noticed a discrepancy. Of course there won’t be any discrepancies. You meanie.

In Conclusion

I’m in no way suggesting that you should avoid clients who worry about the finished product they receive from you. This is usually preferable to having a client who simply doesn’t care either way, as at least you know that your work will be appreciated and looked over with a critical eye.

By following the above tips, you can help keep most clients from fluctuating too widely and turning simple concern into full-blown panic.

The post How to Calm Down a Panicky Design Client appeared first on Speckyboy Design Magazine.