Web Design - The Recession Money Maker - Part 2

Web Design – The Recession Money Maker – Part 2 – Clients

Posted on Aug 19, 2009 in Articles

As a continuation of the series started in part 1, this time we’ll look over communicating with clients. In an economic downturn, as word of mouth is far more important than out of one it’s important to maintain good client relations.

As we’ve all been a client to some sort of service in our lives, we know that better customer service means we’re more likely to repeat business or support that particular provider.

Web and graphic design is no different, and here are three key tips to making sure your clients are satisfied with your service.

1. Adhere to Deadlines

One thing that nobody ever wants to deal with when they’re working with you is:

LATE WORK

So make sure you set up a good completion date with your clients. If they request one that is impossible to complete, then simply let them know that it’s an unrealistic schedule, and suggest that they allow a little more time, but that you will try to do your best.

9 times out of 10, a client won’t just get up and leave because you need an extra day or two to complete their job.

But if you get the opportunity to define your own due date, always allot yourself a little extra time.

This way you can revise your work and have a little breathing room in case anything pops up during your work. It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all.

2. Respect Your Clients’ Comments

This should come as common sense, but surprisingly enough, there are a fair amount of designers who don’t take criticism well (well maybe not surprisingly, but oh well).

What better way to get rid of your repeat customers then by telling them that they are wrong about what they want, and that your design is the best?

As a matter of fact, a friend of mine once went to a large design firm (CE Designs), and they were insistent that his design feature clouds in the header, while he was sure he didn’t want them.

And the result? He went to a smaller design studio, run by an individual online, and he got the service (and design) he wanted.

Score 1 for the quality over quantity! After all… the customer is always right. They know what they’re after.

The big firm loses both that client and any possibility of my friend telling anybody he knows to use CE Designs.

3. Maintain Constant Communication

When you work with clients, they like to know that you’re around and working on their projects. The one thing that really makes customers happy with your service is being aware that you’re spending time on them.

An overzealous designer is much more memorable and satisfying than one that is lazy and uncommunicative.

Clients recognize and appreciate the effort you put in to spend time talking to them, and it reassures them that you’re focusing your attention on what they need.

The best designers maintain so much communication with their clients that the clients are verging on saying, “All right, all right, I get it! You’re doing a good job on my project!”

Some try to act as if each individual client is only one of many, and that they can’t be bothered to focus on them, but it’s this special focus that really gets clients to appreciate and want to work with you.

Make it a practice to update your clients every time you feel there’s a monumental change, or notify them of any concerns or clarifications, but try to condense them and ask as many as you can in one session, rather than constantly asking one little question every few hours.