Client Web Design Clichés' That You Really Want to Avoid

A drag-and-drop template will result in a web design so similar to those of many others. But a custom made design is a symbol of uniqueness and it is natural for clients to be demanding and over-enthusiastic. However, such uniqueness sometimes can come at the expense of functionality and UX. In such cases, it is the duty of designers to point out that it not tenable to accommodate client requirements, as seen hereunder.

• The Website Must Be Ready In A Very Short Timeframe

It is common knowledge that a custom design is not off-the-shelf. Designers can do justice to the web ideas only when given proper time and resources. Yet, you have the client breathing down the neck, demanding delivery at the earliest. Such squeezes can end up detrimental to the design and its functionality. The best way to avoid such situations is to get a time-schedule with milestones and key performance indicators written down and mutual consent thereof obtained.

• The Website Must Be Unique, And So, Add All Those Jargons

Nosy clients are bound to pester the web content developers with their overzealous ideas. Every entrepreneur wants the web pages to convey their USP (unique selling propositions) to the market. To attain brand authority, the clients wish to depict themselves as subject matter experts. But only the professional web developers realize that your customers are not interested in your technical expertise. The web copy must be jargon-free and written in simple prose. While your blogs must be written in casual and informal tones, white-papers and research articles can include technical terminology.

• The Design Must Look Exactly Like The Other Website That Has Inspired Client

The scenario is all too common in website development. The client returns after a business trip abroad and is truly inspired with the website of another company. He proposes major alterations and expects the web design to look exactly like the other one. Clients may not understand that a rip-off of ideas from another website will result in copyright issues. Also, the website may be downgraded for duplicate content. Thirdly, the borrowed design may be inspiring, but will not be unique, since the layout is a mere reflection of someone else's.

• Make The Logo Bigger

The phrase is heard repeatedly during the meetings between the developer and the client. The logo is the identity of a business and clients think that a bigger logo will result in immediate branding. It is often said that making logo bigger will only make your business look smaller. It might give away negative tones - of false pride, of manipulation and of being self-centred. Psychotherapy experts feel that making logo bigger as well as replicating it in a number of places will put off customers.

As the owners-to-be of the web designs on which they spend a good amount of money, clients can make multiple requests. The developers and designers will need to make every effort leading to client satisfaction. But in bottle-necks like the above, clients will need to be briefed on the inability on the part of the design team to factor for such clichés. This is also the reason why custom web design must always be handed over to professionals who will balance form and function and bring out an optimized and UX based web design.