 REVIEW MY WEBSITE / 4N PROFILE [Web designers and developers wanted!] |
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Posted on 09th Oct 2008 at 09:45
To answer a few questions!
I have been into many initial meetings with web designers and clients observing the interaction between the client and the web designer. The client does not know what they want and the designer is trying to sell their services. It poses the following questions for you as web designers/developers.
Do website projects run smoother and have better outcomes if the client provides a design brief?
And
What information do you require from the client in the design brief to assist you?
Regards
Nigel
Nigel T Packer
Internet Marketing Consultant Author and Keynote Speaker
New Book:
Internet marketing: How to Get a Website that Works for Your Business
e: nigel@businessforbusiness.co.uk
w: www.businessforbusiness.co.uk
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Posted on 09th Oct 2008 at 13:10
Hi Nigel,
We always spend as much time as possible with the client going through exactly what the client is looking for from their website. This can take anything between a short phone call to having meetings spread over a few weeks.
The ultimate aim is to put together as full a brief as possible together.
The brief should contain everything (where possible) including logo, brand, technologies, features etc.
We never start a project without a full brief.
Point and Stare
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Posted on 09th Oct 2008 at 16:32
Agree with Lee here.
A good designer will take the time to sit down with the client - not to talk primarily about website features, but to start to understand the client's business and what they're trying to achieve with their website.
Yes, logos, colours etc are important. But more important is that the client approaches a design meeting having put some thought into what they're hoping to achieve from their website. Because as that varies, so the end result will vary. Style/colours/layout will all change depending on what your goals are.
Sarah, Hexagon Web Works
Get yourself a website that knows what you do.... a website that really works for your business
Some of my recent work:
    
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Posted on 09th Oct 2008 at 16:51
Sometimes we get an overly complicated brief (to be avoided)
Sometimes the customer has no idea whatsoever so they need helping through the process, as Lee has stated above it can take a while with some.
Most times the customer has an idea but a discussion often leads to us pointing out further possibilities to them that they have so far not considered.
With SSIWeb a detail quotation follows up the discussion so that customer can review it again before committing - Kontrolit has modules that can be added later but are best set up at the outset so its a matter of choosing the right mix once all the possibilities are known.
Prepare an outline brief for discussion but be prepared to change it after discussion with the web design company because some things may not be desirable and some others can be added that you did know know were possible or necessary.
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Posted on 10th Oct 2008 at 11:10
Agreed!
One thing we sometimes come across is very detailed briefs put together by a third party which may be funded by a body like Business Link. This is a business advisor saying to the client they must have a detailed brief before commissioning anything and the advisor will fund it and get one of their cronies to do it!(bit of a rant there, sorry).
These briefs can sometimes be a royal pain and we never progress with this kind of commission.
If I had to sum up our preferred approach it would be;
We would work with the client to identify the “initial” desired out come – We simply want to know what the client is trying to achieve.
Meet again and put forward possible solutions – This wouldn’t be concepts unless we felt it necessary. It’s intended to explore and illustrate the possibilities.
Next we refine the objectives now the client has a clearer idea of what’s possible
Then WE (very important) write the brief confirm that it’s what the client wants and then quote.
Of course this touches on all the issues that we (the design industry) have dealt with for many years. It’s time costly for both parties and not without risk. It obviously impacts on our overall fees, but what we provide is not an off-the-shelf service and the interaction between us and our clients is what shapes the outcome.
One thing I would say with regard to clients not knowing or understanding what they need (notice I didn’t say want!). It’s how it should be and providing the client recognises this then we’ll get on fine.
However, there are those who think they should know and will spend time trying to understand the jargon and looking for what they like on the web. If a client says "do me something like this", we’d be failing them if we just said “OK”.
My is advice to companies is talk to a few designers before you do anything, there are those who will become a nuisance, but on the whole we are an understanding bunch who enjoy what we do and would be only to happy to help.
http://www.waspmedia.co.uk
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Posted on 28th Nov 2008 at 00:23
I've got to agree with Lee there. When a client comes to us with an idea for a new of existing web site we take great lengths to create a design/development brief with them, Making sure that both parties fully understand whats required, what can be done, whats really needed and is it right for them.
We don't stop there though, we break a project down into phases and invite the clients imput all the way through to make sure the prject is on track and is still what they want. Yes a design brief can help but never as good as sitting down with a coffee, a pen, a pad and a good ear!
Mathew O'Connor
Essential eBiz Solutions Ltd Registered with Companies House No: 5720784
0800 327 7935
92 Stanton Road, Stoke-on-Trent
EBS Web Design
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