One of my favorite web designers that I draw inspiration from is OMSH (Oh My Stinkin Heck). She wrote this wonderful article called “Throwing reason to the wind is..” which succinctly puts into words what I have so often encountered when designing websites for clients. She hits the nail on the head when she says to clients that a website “is an investment of yourself.”
Putting Time and Thought Into Your Website
A designer designs based upon the information provided by the client conveying their ideas or vision for their site. Sometimes a client will want a website but will not have put any time or thought into the goal of the site, what they want to say about themselves, their site content, or have any idea of what their sense of style is. They just know they want one. It’s a good start! But, if you don’t provide the designer with any information for your desired site the designer will likely design a site that appeals to the designer and not the client. In order for a designer to project your ideas for your site you need to pull together information and provide them with what best describes the essence of what you want for your website. The more information the better. Information such as providing links to other websites that appeal to you and convey a sense of your style. Other methods have been conveyed to me by clients showing me imagery they created on their laptops. Some have provided spreadsheets, others have shown me ideas hand-drawn on paper or in written detail. Providing the designer with a sense of direction to go in will eliminate the unenviable position of them having to become mind readers spending unnecessary and costly time guessing a clients wishes.
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