Even in this hideous economic environment, it’s not sound policy to take on every client who expresses interest in working with us. I once got some fantastic advice that I use all the time, that just proved a life-saver yet again:
ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
The gist is this: if your potential new client isn’t forthcoming with explanations pertaining to the scope of the proposed project, isn’t available to spend time clarifying parameters, doesn’t see the value in description of wants, feels that communication is just too complicated… Thank you, but no thank you is in order. Usually the potential client just drops off in the communication volley and that should be viewed as a bullet dodged. That client would have been very difficult to work with and even harder to design for.
In order to design a site that doesn’t just visually resonate with the client whose name will proudly be displayed across the masthead, but also achieves a host of other goals such as: scalability, usability, accessibility, and the all-important: does it speak to the targeted audiences… this takes discussion and discovery. Building a website is easy. Building a website that works — more than simply having accurate linking and rendering in the major browsers without shifts — that’s pretty easy. Designing a website that works on many levels, and that continues to work on levels not yet imagined as careers and industries evolve… that takes forethought and discussion.
If your potential design house isn’t asking questions, scratch them off your list. If you are unwilling to spend the time answering questions in depth, lower your own expectations.
We ask questions. A lot of them. We find great value in the exercise. Most clients do, too.
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