As someone who has spent over 25 years building and maintaining websites, I can assure you the process of building or re-designing a website rarely goes without any hiccups. Much like building or renovating a home, there are countless factors that contribute to a successful website project, from effective communication to understanding the technical complexities involved. If you’re in the process of building or redesigning a website, here are some valuable tips to help you work more effectively with web designers and developers—straight from the trenches.
- Communication Is the Key to Success
The number one tip I give to individuals is simple: communicate clearly and often. Web projects can easily go off-track if the vision and ideas aren’t communicated properly from the start. Be specific about your goals, the look and feel you’re going for, and the features you need. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions will ensure that the project stays on track and that your designer and developer understand exactly what you’re looking for.
- Know the Audience You Wish to Target
Web designers and developers can create beautiful websites, but they need to know who you’re building for. Your website’s design, functionality, and content should all be shaped by your target audience. Be prepared to share demographic information, your audience’s preferences, challenges, and goals. If you haven’t identified yours yet, work with your team to develop a clear picture of your client base before diving into the design process.
- Help Us Help You
Building a website isn’t a one-sided endeavor – it’s a collaborative effort. As much as designers and developers bring their skills to the table, projects go much smoother when clients are equally invested in the process. Provide your web team necessary content on time, make decisions quickly, and stay involved throughout the development phase. The more effort you put in, the smoother the project will go.
- Know What Features and Functions You Want
The more you know about the features and functions you need, the more effectively your web team can help. Think about what your website needs to do. Will it have an online store? Should it have a blog? Do you need a contact form or an interactive map? Be as clear as possible about the functionality you require. If you don’t know, do some research on your own to get an idea of what’s out there and how it might work for your business. A great place to start is to look at your competitors’ sites and see what their site offers. Or just ask what your web team recommends!
- Sample Sites and Ideas Are Helpful
It’s always helpful to provide examples of websites you like (and dislike) to your web team. This gives them a clearer idea of your aesthetic preferences and helps them understand the type of design, functionality, and feel you’re going for. You don’t need to find an exact match—just highlight elements that you like, such as layout, color scheme, typography, or interactivity.
- Focus On Providing Good Content
Do your best to provide helpful, clear content to your web design team. If you provide lower-quality content, unclear instructions and requests, or ideas that aren’t well thought out, a lot of times the end result will reflect that. Ensure that your content is well-thought-out and professionally written. If you’re not sure, consider hiring a copywriter or editor to polish your messaging.
- You Are the Expert of Your Own Business
We may be experts in design and development, but our knowledge on the particular ins and outs of your specific business is often limited. Clearly explaining your goals, vision, and specific business needs, to your web team, will dramatically help in the long run. Just like you wouldn’t expect a mechanic to be able to diagnose a cold, it’s helpful to be proactive in giving your web designers and developers the necessary information and facts they need to know about your business and field.
- We May Know More About Your Industry Than You Think
On the flip side, web designers and developers often have a broad range of industry experience simply from having experience with working with similar clients. They may have worked on websites for other businesses in your field and have valuable insights to offer. Don’t be quick to dismiss their suggestions and ideas —they might have a deeper understanding of your industry than you realize.
- Submit Your Requests in Writing When Possible
Web projects involve lots of back-and-forth communication, and things can get lost in the shuffle. If you make a request or give feedback, always try to put it in writing (email, chat, etc.). This ensures that there’s a record of what was asked for, and it reduces the chance of miscommunication or confusion down the line.
- Review Your Content
It’s not that we don’t care about your content—it’s that we’re focused on building the framework, design, and functionality of the site and aren’t always able to proofread your copy. If you’re providing text, images, or videos, make sure they’re final versions and ready for upload. If you’re not sure, let us know that the content is “draft” or needs review. Designers and developers are focused on the technical and creative aspects of building the site, not copy editing. While we’ll absolutely display your content as you’ve provided it, we won’t catch every typo or grammatical error. It’s crucial to have someone proofread your content before it’s handed over.
- Be Realistic with Your Timeline
Web projects always take longer than clients expect. Be realistic about your timeline and give your team enough time to do their best work. While we’ll do our best to meet deadlines, designing and developing a website is a complex process, and rushing it will only compromise the final product.
- Details Are Important When Communicating with Us
When you’re discussing your website with us, the more detail, the better. Instead of saying, “I want a modern design,” describe what “modern” means to you. Does it involve minimalism, bold typography, flat design, or something else? The more specifics you provide, the easier it is for us to execute your vision.
- Some Things That Seem Easy Are Hard, and Some Things That Seem Hard Are Easy
Not every task is as straightforward as it seems. Something that looks simple on the surface—like changing a color or moving an image—can have ripple effects throughout the website’s layout and functionality. Similarly, features that seem complicated may be relatively easy to implement. Trust your team to guide you through these technical challenges.
- Screenshots Are Helpful but Not Always
Screenshots can help clarify your ideas or problems, but they can also be misleading. A screenshot might show you want something in a particular place, but the underlying structure may not support that position. If you’re providing feedback or instructions, try to describe your request in words as well as showing a screenshot when possible.
- We Don’t Know Your Password(s)
One of the most common mistakes I see is when clients assume that their web team has access to all accounts, from hosting to analytics and social media. Web designers and developers don’t know your passwords unless you share them with us. Make sure to provide the necessary login credentials and access details in a secure way.
- Consider Our Suggestions
We might not always say what you want to hear, but we will always offer advice that’s in your best interest. We can offer suggestions about design, user experience, and functionality that will ultimately make your website better. Don’t be afraid to hear our feedback—it’s meant to enhance your site, not be a critique of your vision.
- A Website Is Never Truly Done
Lastly, remember that a website is never “finished” in the traditional sense. The digital world is constantly evolving, and your website will need ongoing updates and tweaks. Embrace the idea that your site will grow and change over time, and work with your team to make improvements as your business and industry evolve.
Working with web designers and developers is a partnership, and like any good partnership, it thrives on mutual respect, clear communication, and shared goals. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to navigate the process with greater ease and create a website that meets your needs—and your users’ needs—successfully.
