As a seasoned website design agency, Big Rock Graphics has dealt with all manner of clients, big and small, simple and complex. Over the years, we have noted some aspects of client interactions that make the process less efficient.
That’s why we thought we’d share some ways that, as a client, you can help us to help you, empowering us to design the best website possible and ensure that all parties have the best experience along the way.
Here are some common mistakes clients make when dealing with web design agencies:
Having Unclear and Ever-Changing Requirements
Owing to the inherent complexity of web design, some clients are unsure about what they want or need, leading to inconsistent requirements. This kind of uncertainty leads to a lack of clarity and ends up as requirements that keep changing, which slows down the project and creates confusion among the entire team.
Hold detailed discovery discussions to ensure that your vision, target audience, branding and objectives are all laid out so we can create a roadmap that aligns with your goals. Define the project scope collaboratively with your website design agency. This would include laying out what deliverables are expected, at what timelines, and when revisions will be implemented. Doing so ensures that everybody’s on the same page throughout and minimises frustration.
Feedback is absolutely essential and is welcomed. However, it should be structured to be as effective as possible. Therefore, scheduled, specific feedback sessions and revision timetables are essential to ensuring productivity.
Not Trusting The Experts
Understandably, clients are deeply invested in their websites and want them to be perfect. However, it can sometimes lead to micromanagement of the creative team, which can slow down the process and limit the web designers’ creativity.
The key here is to trust that the experts know what they’re doing and allow them to present designs that showcase the overall vision and help you visualise how the individual elements fit together.
A good agency will endeavour to provide regular updates to keep you informed while also requesting regular input. However, when this input is given, trust must also be given so that the experts can bring your vision to life.
An experienced agency’s design process is tried and trusted, with numerous success stories in the bag. So, it is important to allow the agency to guide you through the process and demonstrate the unique expertise it has honed over the years.
Failing To Communicate Effectively
Ultimately, good communication between the client and the agency is the biggest success factor in designing a website. However, communication needs to be streamlined and structured to ensure that it doesn’t become garbled. For this, insights shared need to be specific and actionable.
Clear communication helps the agency meet your expectations while minimising frustrations on both sides of the table. Before starting a project, a clear and well-defined communication plan should be put together, detailing how often both parties will touch base and through which channels.
It is also essential to have project management tools in place that allow the agency to share its progress, remain organised, and provide feedback.
Lastly, the roles and responsibilities of each team member on both sides must be properly defined so that everybody knows what to expect, when and from whom.
At Big Rock Graphics, we love working with our clients and delivering excellent results, and we want the experience to be just as fulfilling for you! As a website design agency with many years of experience, we know how to make your website stand out. Contact us today to get started.