Collaborating With Your Website Designer
So you’re planning to build a website for your business. Knowing what to expect in working with your website designer can help ensure your project runs smoothly and is completed on time and within budget. This post aims to offer good project management processes that will help ensure a great website-building experience. We all have our personal work practices that we bring to a project. But, working with others on a project requires us to share common practices for the duration of the project so it can move smoothly to completion and everyone is pleased with the journey and the outcome.
A Clear Communication Plan for the Duration of the Project
Effective communication is a cornerstone of any successful project. It facilitates transparency and efficiency, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Developing a clear communication plan right from the start will not only help to avoid confusion, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations but will also establish a sense of accountability and set expectations for the project’s duration. Whether it’s daily check-ins, weekly progress reports, or monthly meetings, everyone involved needs to understand when and how they will receive information, updates, and feedback. With a communication plan, you can build trust, foster stronger relationships, and achieve your project objectives clearly and confidently.
Communicate Clear Expectations
Communicating clear expectations is a key part of successful project management. Both parties need to express their expectations for the project. With regard to financial matters or hard deadlines, it is wise to have the expectations in writing. This will help you avoid any misunderstandings later on.
As for the website’s design, it is important for the designer to know what the website owner is looking for in the site. Basic information includes:
- Who is the website targeting?
- What is the primary message to the target customer or follower?
- What information should the website provide?
- What action is desired of visitors to the site?
- Are there some existing websites that can serve as examples of what the owner wants in the appearance of the site?
- Is there a preferred color scheme?
More questions will arise, but these will get the ball rolling.
It is okay for the website owner not to be clear about what they want with various aspects of the design. When this occurs, they can tell the designer to create what looks good to them for approval by the owner. However, in these instances, providing some perimeters to what is acceptable for this design aspect is helpful. By so doing, changes to what the designer offers can be only minor. However, if the designer is given a license to design a feature with little or no perimeters for that feature, a major reworking of what is presented is likely to be reflected in the design cost.
A Timeline for the Delivery of Specific Tasks and Deadlines
It will be essential to have a clear and organized timeline for the delivery of specific tasks and deadlines. This timeline serves as a roadmap, guiding you toward the final destination. Breaking the bigger picture into smaller pieces makes the project much more manageable and less daunting. So, map out your project timeline, set realistic deadlines, and prioritize your tasks.
The Ability to Give Feedback on Design Decisions and Web Development Progress
In any creative process, feedback is crucial. And in the world of web development, it’s even more important to stay on top of progress and design decisions. Providing and receiving feedback allows a project to evolve and improve continually. Giving honest and constructive criticism helps designers and developers refine their work and produce a final product that exceeds expectations. With the availability of email, text, chat, video, or virtual meetings, swift feedback is made possible. This means feedback loops can become more frequent and efficient, ensuring everyone is on the same page and the project moves forward smoothly. So, don’t underestimate the power of your feedback – it is a vital tool for success!
Regular Check-ins from the Website Designer to Ensure Everything Is Going According to Plan
As a website owner, you want everything to run smoothly. One way to ensure this is by having regular check-ins with your website designer. By keeping in touch with your designer, you can avoid surprises and ensure everything goes according to plan. This will also give you the opportunity to voice any concerns or suggestions you may have. Regular check-ins will allow for a seamless process and ultimately lead to creation of a website that meets your expectations. So, make sure to stay connected with your designer and enjoy the process of creating a website that is uniquely yours. To aid with these check-ins, Elite Web Presence offers a test site to allow live views of the current stage of development.
Start The Conversation
For a smooth and successful website creation journey, reach out to us today! We’re excited to work with you and help bring your vision to life! Let’s build a website that looks good and works well for your business. Your online presence is just a click away with Elite Web Presence.