Sometimes preparing for a web design is the most time consuming AND the most important. There are so many ideas floating around, that you better be quick to catch them while they are fresh. I have compiled a list of some of the most important processes when preparing for a web design.
Identify You Clients Needs
Every client you work with will usually have very different needs. It is extremely important to identify these needs from the start. I have listed a few of the questions you should ask your clients to get a good scope of what they will require.
#1 What’s the clients budget?
I list this question first because it really will dictate what you can do for the client. I have encountered so many clients that expect everything including the kitchen sink and think one price pays for it all. After the client has stated their intended budget, it doesn’t mean thats the final budget, that just means that what they would like to pay. If they are asking for more work then their budget allows, tell them that, and it’s up to them to figure out if they can afford to put more towards the budget, or if they can just do without some things.
#2 Timeframe?
Some clients will have an absolute timeframe, and othes will not. It is important to know their timeframe so you can make sure you have the time to accomplish their design in the required time. Also a good trick I learned from a designer friend of mine, is to always over quote your projected time frame. If your client doesn’t have a hard pressed deadline quote them about twice as long as you think it will take you, that way when you are done before you said you would be, you look like a hero.
#3 Brainstorm & Write the ideas down
One of the best things you can do with your client is have a brain storming session with them. One of the worst things you can do is not write the ideas down. Some of the greatest ideas of the project will come during the first meetings with your client. When the project is new, and fresh, and you are excited about it.
#4 Logo & Branding
Does the client already have a logo design? Are they happy with their current branding, and/or colors?
#5 Scripts and Interactivity
What type of website will the client be needing? More importantly, what type of functionality is required of the website? Will it need certain types of scripts, like blogs, photo gallery, comments etc?
#6 Audio & Video
Will the site have any audio and video needs? If so, what type of players will be needed? Should you go flash or not?
#7 Statistics Tracking
Usually setting up some type of statistics tracker is a good idea. Probably one of the best ways for the average webmaster is to obtain a Google Analytics account. Once you have done that, you can setup as many websites with trackers as you need. You can also give separate accounts access to just the trackers you want.
#8 Similar Websites for examples
Try to have the client give you examples of other websites they like, and explain to you what they like, and dislike about each of the examples. You can use this to greatly increase the chance of them being completely happy with the website you build for them.
#9 Number of Pages
Some sites are simple one pagers, and others are hundreds of pages. Find out early how many pages your client will need. If its going to be more than 20 or so, you should probably start talking to them about a content management system (CMS). Not only will it be a little easier to keep in order, it will also give them the ability to edit content themselves.
Content
Perhaps ones of the hardest part of a web design is actually compiling & organizing all the content the client wants. In fact, just getting all the content from the client is a task in itself. Many times it’s almost like they expect you to come to their house or office and go through their content yourself. However, this is not the case, it is their responsibility to provide content for their website.
#1 Text Content
This is ultimately the most important part of any website. It doesn’t matter how pretty the site is, if it doesn’t have good informative content for the users to read, there might as well not even be a website at all. This again can be quite difficult to procure from the client. Unfortunately you are pretty much at the mercy of the client to provide you this.
#2 Images, Videos, & Music
You can’t have a website with some type of images. Ask you clients to provide you with the largest possible size if images so that you can use them in more than just content. Some images are great for using in the design process as background images and collages. If they require Video or Audio to be on their website, you will need to think about what the best way to provide the website users that content. Normally Flash players are the best way to go since it prevents users from stealing the music/video and don’t have to worry about cross platform compatibility issues.
Price
We web designers don’t design for free. So when it comes time to put together a price for a client make sure you do it right. Take the time to figure out exactly how much time you will need to design the site. I find that charging by the hour in a web design situation just wont work. Charging per page is also hard to do as well since some pages have alot of content and some do not.
I find that charging a base fee for the actual design works for me. It is usually between $500 - $1000 just for the design, not including the conversion from graphics to HTML & CSS. Then I try to put together a price on how long it will take me to convert the graphics into code.
Finally put a price together based on the number of pages the client requires. Price may vary depending on the amount of content. But in the end sometimes charging a set price per page is the better way to go since it means the client knows where you stand. And if in the future they need to have you develop another page, they will have a good idea of what to expect to pay.
So there you have it. A somewhat comprehensive list of how to go about starting a website design for your clients. I will add to this list as time goes one.
Legal Stuff
The question was raised in a comment on this blog about the legalities of who owns what upon completion of the web design. In the contracts I personally use it states that all the HTML files, images, and content contained in those files are owned by the client. It also states that all other design & materials remain property of the web designer.
Here are some links to some legal contracts for web designers.
Web Designer Contract
Another Web Designer Contract
Yet Another Web Designer Contract
Sample Web Design Contract
Sample Web Design Contract 2
Permission To Link Contract
Privacy Policy Contract
Total Assignment Of Copyright
Non Exclusive Copyright License
Infringement Of Copyright
Website Planning Worksheet
tags:
web design
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