[thelist] What to ask a client when developing a web page...

[isaac]

> Chances are that, if the client is serious about it, they will
> have already
> mapped out a good idea of what they want on the site. Obviously, (but not
> always), if they hired your company to do the work, then they've been
> thinking about what they want.


You've got two options:

 - Do what the client wants (often brochureware).

 - Consider what the client wants, find out what they actually need (whether
they realise it or not), and help them to get that happening.

You'll probably get more interesting work, better $, and increased job
satisfaction if you choose the latter. But there's nothing wrong with
choosing the former if you're after less hassle, quicker and smaller jobs,
and can avoid feeling shitty about unimaginative solutions.

Back to the question. From a design perspective, you'll want to ask clients
if they have an established corporate identity (logo, colour scheme,
storefront, business cards, etc), and whether they plan on changing it in
the next 6-18 months. You'll also want to know what assets they have
available for your use (photos, printed resources, etc) -- if they're
lacking some of these, you'll need to allocate time/funds to a copywriter
and/or photographer.

(Try to avoid, at almost all costs, using poor copy or images! Here's a
related article:
http://evolt.org/article/Stock_Photography/22/3631/index.html)

Also, the general feeling they want people to get when they visit the site
(ie, clean, peaceful, loud, bright, rough, dirty, corporate, expensive,
budget, etc) is important. It may be that you need to override the
preferences of the client -- always keep their target market in mind.

More general questions would relate to their current audience, target
markets, any future plans (especially if they relate to efforts to increase
marketshare in particular age groups, etc).

You want to leave the meeting and be able to build a list of objectives.
Then, you'll establish the various methods you'll use to meet those
objectives. That will put you on track.

(A basic objective might be to increase awareness and marketshare amongst
young teens. Your resulting method could be to initiate various features
aimed at this group, or to make the site design loud and fluid. Another
example: Objective - encourage return visits; Method - make it easy for club
members to easily check their schedule/results by prominently featuring a
toolbox, and also implement a newsletter featuring the headlines of on-site
articles.)

I hope this gives you some ideas.


isaac

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