Imagine starting a web design project with a clear vision in your head, only to end up with something completely different on the screen. Frustrating, right?
The truth is, even the most talented web designers can’t read minds, and that’s where effective communication comes in. Clear, consistent communication helps ensure your web design project runs smoothly, stays on schedule, and ultimately meets or exceeds your expectations.
At PBP Web Design, we’ve seen firsthand how great communication between clients and designers turns ideas into beautiful, high-performing websites. Here’s how you can stay “in the loop” and get the most out of your collaboration. Let’s go!
- Start with a Clear Project Brief
If there is any resource that will help you and your web designer have a great collaboration, it is having a project brief, and it is actually not a complex thing to put together. In fact, you can see it as another way to speak to someone about this business you love so much.
A typical project brief would contain your purpose for a website. That is, the primary reason you are seeking to build a website. It could be to increase leads, to build trust or to sell products. These different reasons impact the overall layout of your website.
Another thing to include in your project brief would be your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your website? Men, women, students? Your target audience would impact functionality and overall appearance of your website.
Something else you could add would be a visual inspiration. Sometimes, it is not that your website is not beautiful and functional, it is that the picture in your mind is yet to be fully captured. So, if you have drawn your inspiration for a website from a brand you admire, feel free to include this in your brief; it will go a long way in expressing your taste and preference to your web designer.
You see, a project brief is nothing too complex, it is simply a document that tells your web designer what you want and how you want it. Investing some time in putting this together would save you time and resources in the future.
2. Set Communication Expectations Early
How often would you like to be contacted? What are your preferred channels of communication? Emails or calls? As simple as this sounds, it keeps you and your web designer aligned, and helps to avoid unnecessary confusion.
Another thing to consider here is who would you like to be the primary point of contact with the web designer? Would you or a member of your team handle all correspondence? Clarity on this helps prevent mixed messages or duplicate feedback. For example, a client could tell the web designer, ‘Our brand colour is red, but I’ll prefer to have blue on this page of the website’. The project manager of the client who may not be aware of such communication could then begin to fault the web designer for adapting to the preference of the client.
To avoid situations like that, it is important to clarify the primary point of contact and mode of communication so that both parties are rightly aligned on thoughts and goals.
3. Give Organized and Constructive Feedback
Feedback is one way to show your designer that you are involved in the project. However, feedback is best given in an organized and constructive way. So, for example, instead of saying, ‘I don’t like this’, you can say:
- Can we try a lighter shade of red to match our brand colors?
- Can we use this image instead? It’s more brand focused
Using bullet points or screenshots will also help your designer see exactly what you mean, and adapt the design to suit your preference. Always avoid vague criticisms, and focus on working together with your web designer.
4. Keep Communication Channels Open after Launch
A good relationship doesn’t end at launch. It’s important to stay connected for post-launch support, such as fixing bugs or updating content. Websites aren’t ‘set it and forget it’, they grow and evolve with your business. At PBP Web Design, we love building long-term partnerships; growing with you as your business grows.
Conclusion
Effective communication goes beyond email threads and phone calls, it’s more about building understanding and collaboration between teams. When the highlighted practices are followed, you can be sure to get the best result from your web design projects.
If you would like to build your website or rework it to suit your updated taste, you can schedule a FREE consultation with us by calling (727) 457-5894.
Together, we can work together to produce the website of your dreams.