I’ve been mulling over writing this article for a while as everyone who partakes in designing websites will have their own views on their own individual practices. My 5 do’s and don’t s are those that I personally believe in, and I’d like to share with you.

I will admit that early in my career I fell foul to some of the don’t s and it’s amazing how many times I see and hear of others falling into these traps as they’ve neglected to fully understand what they’re taking on, seeing nothing but pound (or dollar) signs during initial conversations.

Do’s:

1. At the initial quotation stages be realistic about what is affordable for the client and profitable for you. Don’t cut yourself short even if you’re desperate for the work as the project may end up costing you money and running at a loss.
2. When you meet the client, be prepared and ask the right questions. The first meetings often turn out like a job interview – the client wants to make sure they’re hiring the best person to take on the work to provide them with exactly what they need. Blagging an initial meeting and/or arriving late will make them wonder whether they’ve made the right decision – and their initial questions become harder!
3. Be open and honest. Can you meet their requirements and deadlines? Can you deliver what they ask, i.e. do you have the technical ability to provide what they need or do you know someone who can help? Being open and honest can win friends as they will feel that they can trust you to deliver, not just a good job, but a great job.
4. Ask to see their other materials. Their website is likely to be one of the most important marketing tools for their business and it needs to match their corporate image. The client will not be impressed with a bizarre new-look design if it is not based on their image or that (similarly) matches their existing materials – this may damage their branding or provide an unstandardised image.
5. Think about the project and suggest ideas and new developments that they perhaps might not have thought of. They’re hiring you as an expert in this field, suggesting ideas and opening up the discussion to provide them with the most fantastic website that fulfils all their current and future needs will be music to their ears.

Don’t:

1. Take on the work if the deal is too one-sided. This would also include if the deadline is unachievable for you, if the budget they have given you is much lower than you need or their expectation is too high. I’m also very weary when a client asks for a site based on someone else’s.
2. Get too involved with designs too early. Understanding what they need, who the visitors are and customers require should come first. You’ll also need to understand their business a little too, hence be prepared.
3. Turn up late or attend the initial meetings in shorts and a t-shirt!
4. Forget to ask questions about how their business is going and what’s the future outlook for them. If you’re dealing with a company that has a massive cash-flow problem they may go bust at any time and leave you unpaid. (Unfortunately I learned this from experience!)
5. Pretend to be an expert and be too arrogant about your past work. This is a new project and past work is only a measure of your skill and trust that others have placed in you. Keep up-to-date with all the latest goings on by following other designers on Twitter and on the key web design communities forums and learn.

I always know that if I’m prepared to take on a particular job, know what to ask and predetermine what the clients needs for their business, then I’m going to have a strong chance of getting the work, provide a good solution and design, and receive a cheque that shows a healthy profit.

Quality oozes professionalism and showing yourself to be a savvy knowledgeable web designer will lead to word of mouth marketing and referrals, ultimately providing new business and new opportunities. That’s what I rely on and  there’s little need to spend unnecessary amounts on advertising, Google adwords and pointless SEO activities.

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