All well developed businesses need a website created but not all of them can understand the web designing industry terms as a web designer does. It is therefore important to learn how to communicate with your clients and being able to explain the various stages and elements in the website’s development in simple and clear terms.
You need to keep your clients’ interest alive as well as those who are reading about your skills and web designing strategies. After all these are your prospective clients and you need to engage them with interesting but straightforward details.
Get to know your client
Before you begin explaining the various concepts of your web designing plan, find out how knowledgeable your client is as far as computing terms are concerned. You can get your answers by subtly asking questions such as, “What browser do you use habitually?” or again, “What operating system does your PC use?” The answers you will get will help you assess your client’s knowledge, for example if they are using Linux they are probably quite savvy as far as computers go and those using Macs will be more versed in design and art categories.
Never presume that your client has not enough knowledge about web development and do not offer definitions of elements and applications used for web designing, as people might already know and you can run the risk of being condescending. The best way to get a general idea is by asking questions such as those above so you can get a sound impression of the type of client you have in front of you.
You will find it useful having your computer and an Internet access when talking to your client about a project so that you can visualize certain elements as you describe the website’s development process. This will help you determine what kind of theme or feeling your client wants for his or her website, as showing some examples will help the client decide.
When trying to explain SEO and how it works for a website you had better stick to the results one can get when optimizing a website for search engines, this will please the client more than understanding the concept of HTML or CSS.
Keeping the explanations simple and avoiding unnecessary technical jargon that will only confuse or add too much detail, is the best way to communicate with your clients. There are elements that need to be explained and others that have no need to be elaborated. It is very likely that your client does not really care for such details and this will only complicate your exchange.
Prompt your client to ask any questions he or she feels they need ask and points they need to clear up as you want them to be satisfied by the end of your meeting. Make them feel that no question is irrelevant and when you do offer an explanation to their questions make sure they have really understood or offer further elements to clear up any doubts.
About the author: Shaina
Shaina is the co-founder and Chief Editor of Websoulz. She is a full-time writer/designer. And has been writing articles and tutorials for the designer community. If you want to connect with her, simply follow her on twitter @websoulz
Websoulz is a fresh platform to discover new and exciting web and graphic designing tips, tricks, different techniques, awesome examples and practices. Designing is our passion and here on Websoulz we want to share it with all.
