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.