Client questions?!?
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- adamfinger
I am a recent graduate and up until now, I haven't had the experience of being the person to actually negotiate with clients.
A friend referred me to his boss who needs a website done. The boss has little to no knowledge of websites, design, etc.
For those who have had similar experiences, what is your approach to showing them a design(s)? Do you compare to other sites? How do you prove which ones are successful and which ones arent?
The site will be for a medical supply company. What are some good coorporate websites out there that are comparible? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Again, sorry if this sounds naive but this is my first time dealing with a large client without another person doing the negotiations.
-adam
- renascent0
exactly what did you graduate from ;P
ask him for his need, his target audience, contents of the site, show style examples of "whats out there" try to get a feeling down for his taste and the targets taste. from there make a concept, start making moc-ups, play it back and forth with this person, get feedback, edit edit edit... get the job doen, you happy, he happy, money in the bank ;)
- takashi0
in my experience (well not that big yet) it has been always a good thing to show 2-3 alternatives in different styles...normally the client choses the one you like less:-), but anyway...after chosing one, you can develop further.
also important thing is to define a 'duty paper'(dont know if its the right word in english) together with the client, like putting all the functionallity on paper and then signing the paper...prevents from later stress, when the client comes up with super-ideas that dont match the basic concept and just dont fit into the timeschedule....If the client wants more, you are willing to work on it after the first work is finished...and he gets extra-charged.
well, this are my first thought propositions...
good luck:-)
and, well, dont forget: the client is king.
- adamfinger0
I graduated with a BS in Digital Media. My concerns come from the client's lack of experience in dealing with design and the web and how to approach this.
I am not apprehensive in terms of my design experience and skills---just my business skills.
-adam
- adamfinger0
bump
- mrdobolina0
besides what these guys said, seek out other sites in his field and rate them, come into the meeting with a list of other company's sites and ask him where he would like to be on that list. good luck, dealing with the client is going to be the difference in whether you can freelance on a fulltime basis or in the capacity that you are attempting right now. also, dont take any shit. Dont let this guy con you into anything that isnt agreed upon. Old school guys call it a list of deliverables.
- benjackson0
Beware, beware, beware. Clients with little to no experience working with designers are a wily breed. They will give you vague briefs, then tear apart your designs with phrases like "it doesn't have enough pizazz."
1. Get everything in writing.
2. Get EVERYTHING in writing. Emails count.
3. Plan ahead. Get detailed specs about any and all requirements at the outset of the project. Draw up a detailed timeline with every single deliverable included.
4. Make sure he signs off on all deliverables, including site maps, mock-ups, and the like (do I have to say "in writing" again?).
5. Get a deposit up front. Any serious client will agree to this. Standard practice is a third upon commitment, a third upon the first deliverable, and the balance upon completion.
6. Buy and read "The Graphic Designer's Guide to Clients," by Ellen Shapiro. Now. I mean it.
- adamfinger0
thanks guys.
In terms of books, I only have the AIGA handbook.