As a graphic designer and web developer, collaboration between myself and my client is crucial for the success of any project. It’s always best to start with clear communication between us and understood and accepted expectations of the final result. Keeping this in mind, your input as a client seeking to contract a website is essential, as you are providing to your web developer the necessary information and resources to ensure the smooth execution of your vision. So, in the spirit of guiding you through the process, here are my suggested ten essential things that a web developer would need from a client before designing their website:
- Clear Project Goals and Objectives: Before diving right into the work, the client needs to explain to their web developer what their goals and objectives are for the website. What is the purpose of the site? Who is the target audience? Understanding these fundamentals will help guide the developer in creating a website tailored to meet the specific needs of the client.
- Target Audience Information: Clients should provide demographic information, user preferences, and any market research available on their target audience. This enables the web developer to design a user experience that aligns with the expectations and behaviors of the target audience.
- Branding Guidelines and Assets: Effective business branding starts with consistency. Clients should always supply their web developer with brand guidelines, including logos, color schemes, fonts, and any other visual assets that connect emotionally or psychologically to the client’s business.
- Content Structure and Assets: Content is the backbone of any website. Clients should provide their developer with an outline of what they want the site’s content structure to include. This means page titles, categories, and any specific content requirements important to the client. Additionally, supplying high-quality images, videos, and written copy in advance speeds along the development process and ensures seamless integration into the design.
- Technical Requirements and Preferences: Some clients may have specific technical requirements or preferences for their website. This could include the choice of a singular content management system (CMS), hosting platform, e-commerce functionality, or third-party integrations. Talk about these to your web developer early on, so they can research and tailor the necessary technical aspects to meet your needs.
- Timeline and Milestones: During initial meetings between client and web developer, establish realistic timelines and project milestones. Not only will it keep the website project on track, but it will also alleviate any misunderstanding or tension.
- Accessibility and Compliance Requirements: Accessibility and compliance with certain industry standards and regulations are becoming increasingly important considerations in web development. Clients should inform their developer of any such requirements or compliance standards relevant to their industry or target audience ahead of time.
- Feedback and Approval Process: As was mentioned beforehand, effective communication is essential for project success. What’s the process for how any revisions will be requested, reviewed, and approved? Again, the client and developer line of communication should be clear for these and other questions to minimize any misunderstandings or delays.
- Budget and Resource Constraints: This point is especially important to discuss early on in the development process. Clients should communicate their budgetary constraints to the developer upfront, along with any specific resource allocations or restrictions. This allows the web developer to propose solutions that can help with the client’s financial restrictions without compromising on website quality.
- Long-Term Support and Maintenance: Building a website is just the beginning of the journey. Clients should discuss their long-term support and maintenance needs with their developer. In turn, web developers should discuss software updates, security patches, and ongoing technical support. Establishing a plan for post-launch maintenance ensures a healthy and safe website moving forward.
If you are in the market for a new website for your business, please consider Paul Whittler Graphic Design. We have been helping businesses like yours since 2012 with quality digital and print marketing materials. Our success is your success. Please call for a free quote at (915) 581-7054, Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm Mountain Standard Time. You may also email us at paul@whittlergraphicdesign.com