You know that feeling when you land a new client? The excitement is palpable the creative juices start flowing and you can practically see the beautiful website coming to life. But before you jump headfirst into the design process there’s a crucial step that often gets overlooked: asking the right questions.
Think of it as laying a solid foundation.
If you don’t get a clear understanding of your client’s needs and goals from the get-go you risk building something that doesn’t quite hit the mark.
And trust me nobody wants to go through the hassle of re-doing a website after it’s launched.
So how can you avoid that scenario? Simple – by asking these five essential questions before you even start designing:
1. Can You Tell Me About Your Business in a Nutshell?
This question might seem obvious but it’s surprising how many designers skip over it.
You need to grasp the core of your client’s business – their identity mission and values.
It’s the foundation for everything else and will help you design a website that truly represents their brand.
Think about it this way: Would you design a website for a tech startup the same way you would design one for a luxury boutique? Probably not.
Each business has its own unique personality and target audience and your design should reflect that.
So don’t just settle for a generic “We sell widgets.” Dig deeper.
Ask questions like:
- What are the key benefits your business offers?
- What makes you different from your competitors?
- What are your core values?
By getting a clear picture of their brand you can create a website that resonates with their audience builds trust and ultimately drives results.
2. Who Is Your Ideal Customer?
Knowing who your client is trying to reach is absolutely essential.
You can’t design a website that appeals to everyone.
You need to target your efforts towards the specific people your client wants to attract.
This involves understanding their target audience’s demographics psychographics and online behavior.
Are they young professionals? Stay-at-home moms? Tech enthusiasts?
Once you have a good understanding of who your client’s ideal customer is you can tailor the design to appeal to them.
Consider things like:
- Visual style: What kind of imagery resonates with your target audience?
- Language: What tone of voice will connect with them?
- Content: What kind of information are they looking for?
- User experience: How can you make the website easy and intuitive for them to use?
The more you know about your client’s target audience the better you can position their website for success.
3. What Features Do You Absolutely Want on Your Website?
This question is key for getting a sense of your client’s expectations and what features are non-negotiable for them.
It helps you avoid any surprises down the line and ensure you’re both on the same page.
Don’t be afraid to get specific.
Ask questions like:
- Do you need a contact form?
- Do you want to integrate your blog with your website?
- Do you need an online store?
- Do you want to incorporate social media sharing buttons?
- What other features are important to you?
By understanding your client’s feature requirements early on you can allocate the appropriate time and resources for their implementation.
This makes the development process smoother and ensures that the final product meets their expectations.
4. What Are Your Goals for This Website?
Knowing your client’s goals will help you align your design efforts with their overall business objectives.
What are they hoping to achieve with their website? Are they aiming for increased brand awareness more leads higher sales or something else entirely?
Understanding their aspirations will inform your design decisions and ensure that the website is optimized to help them achieve their desired outcomes.
Ask questions like:
- What are your key performance indicators (KPIs) for success?
- How will you measure the effectiveness of your website?
- What are your expectations for the website’s performance?
- What are the challenges you are trying to overcome with this website?
By having these conversations up front you can make sure your design strategy is aligned with your client’s objectives.
This will create a more successful website that truly helps them reach their goals.
5. Can You Show Me Examples of Websites You Like and Dislike?
This question might seem a bit odd at first but it’s incredibly valuable.
It allows you to gain a deeper understanding of your client’s aesthetic preferences as well as their understanding of good website design.
By seeing what websites they find appealing you can get a sense of their visual style their preferred user experience and the types of features they appreciate.
Similarly understanding what they dislike will give you insight into what to avoid in your design.
Don’t hesitate to ask for specific reasons why they like or dislike certain websites.
What do they find compelling about the ones they like? What makes the ones they dislike ineffective?
This information is invaluable for understanding your client’s vision and ensuring that the final design aligns with their expectations.
The Takeaway:
Building a great WordPress website is about much more than just aesthetics.
It’s about understanding your client’s needs goals and target audience.
By asking these five key questions before you start designing you’ll be well on your way to creating a website that truly resonates with their vision and delivers real results.