Have you ever come to a point in a website design where you’re lost?
You’re staring at a blank Photoshop document and you have no idea how to fill the space. You don’t know what the client wants and what they will like.
Don’t get yourself stuck in that phase again. Clients often don’t know what information to give their website design before starting a project. They believe the website designer knows-all and can read their mind. However, we are not mind readers and to create a successful website, we need to ask the right questions.
Ask About Their Business
- What kind of business is your company in?
- How long has your company been in business?
- What is the size of your company?
- What is the company’s reputation?
- What is your typical customer like?
- Who are your competitors?
Ask About Their Preferences
- What is most important to you, quality or speed?
- What color scheme would you want?
- If necessary, would it be okay if I used subcontractors or outsourced parts of the project?
- Show me 3 websites that you would like your website to embody and why?
- What is the purpose of this project?
Ask About the Project
- What is the budget for this project?
- What is the deadline for this project?
- How will you be making your payment?
- How often do you want updates on my progress?
Ask How You Can Do More
- Is there anything else I can design for you, such as business cards, logos, etc?
- Do you know anybody else who could benefit from my services?
- Would you like me to market your business as well?
- Are you interested in consultation for the web aspects of your business?
Asking the right questions can guarantee a successful project. What other questions do you ask your client before a website project?
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Hi Nicole,
I`m from Japan. I`d like to ask your advice.
I`m planning to open an english school and cafe shop, however I`m just new in business and I don`t know how to start .
Your advise is highly appreciated.
Thank you.
Nice set of questions. However, would you ask these questions when the client approaches you for the first time before finalization of the project? Or before commencement of the project?
My questions always include this one: In a perfect world, how would your customers describe your new website? What adjectives would they use?
@April, That’s a great question to ask. It gets the clients thinking about their customer’s needs and wants. In return, it helps us designers create a better site.
I will definitely include that question on my questionnaire.
agree. Logo is the main part for any website, it is the corporate identity & makes your site being recognizable. Thanks for such a useful article.
Great post Nicole! You’re definitely right, a healthy design brief gives you good direction and will result in a better and more confident design.
I’ve dug deeper into this matter and I’m working on an app to help designers and clients in the briefing process. It’s called Briefix. I’ll share the link, maybe you’ll find it useful: www.briefix.com.
Great post. Many of your same questions I use when starting a logo project for a new client. Always important to understand the client’s business.
@Cinnamon, I agree with you. It’s always important to understand your client’s business because it will help you create the right design (whether logo or website) to suit their style. Plus, it helps the designer get a feel for what the client’s needs and wants.
These questions can generally be customized and adaptable to any design business, but these work wonderful with website design.