| Today I want to talk about two types of clients that | | | | decisions when it comes to the design, and this can be |
| you probably have or will run into as a freelance web | | | | a nuisance and a lot of work. |
| designer. The examples I use here are probably a bit | | | | Client #2 - "Just do what I tell you and I'll be happy!" |
| extreme but I am sure that each of us as web | | | | Pros: There is no need for you to worry about making |
| designers has dealt with some level of these two | | | | decisions or coming up with ideas when it comes to |
| types of clients at one point or another. First, I will | | | | designing a site for Client #2. All that is required of you |
| explain the different types I am referring to, and then | | | | is your ability to carry out their wishes and deliver a |
| we'll talk about the pros and cons of each situation and | | | | site that looks exactly like what they have in mind. You |
| the best ways to handle each one. I am hoping to | | | | won't be expected (or probably allowed) to come up |
| maybe impart a bit of advice to other web designers | | | | with any of the content, offer suggestions or make |
| struggling with either of these situations and also to get | | | | any decisions, the client takes care of all of that. |
| some feedback from experienced designers on | | | | Cons: The inability to let your creative juices flow and |
| dealing with different clients. Here we go! | | | | the fact that many times you will end up delivering a |
| Who are we dealing with? | | | | site that you know is not as well designed as it could |
| I think that most of us who have been designing | | | | be, but that's what the client asked for so you do it |
| websites for any amount of time have run into some | | | | anyway. It can be extremely frustrating as a designer |
| level of one or both of these types of clients | | | | (and quite likely the expert in this situation) to simply |
| somewhere along the line: | | | | take orders from a client who may not really |
| Client #1: This is the client who hires you to design their | | | | understand the basics of web design. The client is |
| website and really has nothing to offer in terms of | | | | usually not interested in your opinion or your knowledge |
| input, ideas, content, etc. You are basically doing | | | | of web design and Internet marketing, only in your |
| everything FOR them - from brainstorming, to writing | | | | ability to create the website they already have planned |
| content, to finding graphics, to marketing and promoting | | | | out. |
| the site. Everything is up to you, and you're on your | | | | How to Deal With It |
| own when it comes to this type of client. | | | | Client #1: Sometimes, you may have to really push this |
| Client #2: This is the client who hires you to design their | | | | client to give you some feedback. Even though it may |
| website and wants to be extremely involved every | | | | not seem like they care what you are doing to the site, |
| single step of the way. You don't dare move that | | | | still make sure that you communicate with them (as |
| photo to the left by 2 pixels unless you feel like | | | | we talked about in 4 Tips for Becoming a Successful |
| explaining why you did it and quite likely moving it back | | | | Freelance Web Designer) and keep them at least |
| where it was before! And you wouldn't even think | | | | somewhat involved. When you are asking for their |
| about trying to or suggesting they use a different | | | | advice, try to make it easy for them to give it to you, |
| image for the website header, since the image they | | | | and try to explain the reason why you are asking and |
| sent you is the image they want, period. This type of | | | | why their decision matters. |
| client micro-manages the entire project, and really | | | | Client #2: With this client, I think you should try to |
| doesn't care to hear your input - you are simply hired | | | | explain to them and hopefully convince them to agree |
| to carry out their wishes. | | | | with you on the most important design principles (for |
| Pros and Cons | | | | instance: "We really do not want a giant flashing pop |
| Client #1 - "I honestly don't care, do whatever you | | | | up ad to be the first thing that greets visitors when |
| want!" | | | | they come to your site, because this can actually drive |
| Pros: With certain projects, especially ones that you | | | | many visitors away and they will leave the site before |
| might be personally passionate about, designing for this | | | | they even have a chance to look around."). Keep |
| client is a breeze. You are free to experiment with | | | | offering your advice and input even if it feels like you |
| your own ideas and design a site exactly to your | | | | are talking to a wall. There is a fine line between |
| tastes, and still get paid for it! Whatever you do is fine, | | | | making sure the client is happy and not being too |
| no need to worry about what the clients | | | | pushy while still offering your expertise - which is web |
| wants....because they don't know! | | | | design! You need to be able to explain why things |
| Cons: The total lack of direction. Let's say you really | | | | should or shouldn't be done a certain way - use |
| aren't familiar with the subject of the site you are | | | | examples and statistics to back up your advice. In the |
| designing. Now you have to research the subject and | | | | end, it still may not get you anywhere and you may still |
| browse websites similar to the one you will need to | | | | design a website that you are not very proud of, but it |
| design. You are responsible to come up with the vision | | | | is the client who is paying you and it is in your best |
| for the site completely on your own, and what if you | | | | interest to make sure the client is happy with their site, |
| don't have one? You are expected to make all the | | | | whether or not you are. |