DEFINITE WEB STUDIO

In the web development business as well as in any other, the initial inputs from client is very important in deciding the directions of the entire project. It means life and death in deciding weather or not you will come up with on-the-mark solution, the right-look design, the right web applications, and so on.

The more complete the information of their needs, their problems, their business, means the faster you can come up with the concept and the estimates. And off course, the less time you should invest in finding those missing puzzle elsewhere (by doing your own research).

But sometimes there are a few things your clients wont tell you or reluctant to tell you and most of the time it is the information you regard as the most precious. If client interview is a treasure map, this information is often the x mark. From my experience, these are some of those x marks:

1. Budget

This comes high in the ranks because ultimately this is what matters the most. Although some client will reveal their budget upfront, I find that most clients (especially Indonesian clients) wont. They will rather negotiate your proposed cost estimates (by scratching off your services one by one) to find out how much you’re willing to lower your rates.

For us, revealing the budget from the start will make the initiation process simpler, faster, and fairer for both the client and us. The budget will be set as a parameter of how far goes our level of services.

2. Goals

You will find that most clients are not goal oriented when it comes to the website they are about to build. In many cases, the only goal in the mind of your client is only to have a website. While this may give you less pressure in your work, but if you are trying to build the best possible website, its not going to work.

The client’s goals are exact directions of where the projects suppose to be heading. Without it, you are as good as lost. It can often become restrictions, boundaries for you not to put too much efforts in part of the project that will not contribute to the end result they are looking for. That’s why I always ask for my client’s goal in the most clear, vivid, and measurable way as possible.

3. Client’s Competitors

I am a firm believer that no matter what business you are in, you should always keep (at least) one eye on the competitors. Client often reluctant to tell you which competitor to compare and weather or not the competitor’s website have something good to explore.

Just like everyone else, your client do spend a lot of time staring at their competitor’s brand new website, don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely no shame about that. It is probably the main reason their calling you to have their website upgraded.

Knowing what the competitors are doing is really important when you are trying to differentiate your self from the pack. Standing out is always a big plus.

4. “Real” Problems

It is a human thing really, to (unconsciously) hide the real problem. For instance, a client tell you that the current website’s CMS is too complicated and not user friendly. While that maybe what their staff are telling their boss, the real problem is that the company really don’t have the manpower and the time to update the contents. All their staffs already have a high workload doing something else. So with this condition, no matter what CMS you propose, they will always have problems.

It is very important to try to look behind the curtain. If you are trying to fix a “false” problem, you will always end up giving a “false” solution.

5. You having a competition

Competition is good. It keeps you motivated. Keeps you from being trap in mediocrity. But sometimes clients tend to be discreet about telling you that you are having a competition for the same project with other company or freelancer until it was already too late in the game.

For me, it is only fair that I am informed that the project is actually a tender up front. Then I can give a more appropriate effort according to the phases of the tender.

Tags: client