9 Ways to Manage Client Expectations in Web Design

For a web designer, nothing is more remarkable than giving their designs a life. They want their work to attract everyone and boost exposure. However, managing the client’s web design expectations is one of their greatest challenges. So, you need to know how to do it.

There is so much to understand about web design. That is why clients may not get everything. New trends and technology will be unfamiliar to them. So, you have to get them on the same page because everything you are doing is for them and starts with them.

So, here are different ways to manage client expectations in web design.

How to manage client expectations in web design?

Define project’s goals

It is crucial for everyone involved in the project to be on the same page. For this, first, you need to know why? Why do clients want what they need? You need to realize their pain points and needs. So, let them explain their requirements first.

Know their expectations upfront. It is necessary to fulfill their needs and produce good results. When you know their requirements, then you will realize which issues to address first. This way, you will be able to fulfill the gaps and satisfy them. Moreover, you will have a common goal and vision.

By any chance, if clients change their goals and needs, clearly communicate about the additional time and cost it requires to them.

Plan thoroughly

After you know your client’s needs, plan thoroughly and set realistic milestones and deadlines so that your team can finish the design on time. It is crucial for the project’s success and clients satisfaction. Also, define a roadmap.

Without any roadmap about what to do and where to start, you won’t progress. And in the end, it will be impossible to manage the clients’ web design expectations. The outcome will deviate from the actual results.

One thing you can do here is breaking the project into small deliverables. Doing so will make it easier for the team to work smoothly. Moreover, let your clients know about your plan and the deadlines, so they understand what is going on and when to expect the final design. Plus, this will help build trust.

In addition, the deliverables could be in the form of a presentation, demo, mockups, wireframes, etc.

At Truemark, we work in Sprints and complete every task listed in it in a week and plan the following week’s work.

Build trust and connections early

For any business, clients and customers are their biggest assets. It is impossible to expect success without them. So, it is essential to build trust and connections to manage their expectations.

The earlier you build trust, the more beneficial it is for your business. So, how do you do it? Communicating regularly and educating clients about your process, workflow, project progress, etc., will help build connections. As a result, this will help you manage their web design expectations better.

The advantage of building trust and connection with clients will let you know what they are thinking, what their expectations are, and how they approach things. This will help you know what is best for them and manage their expectations.

At Truemark, we communicate with the clients regularly through Slack and host a weekly Zoom conference. Plus, regular video calls if needed.

Document everything

To manage client expectations, you always need detailed information about needs, deadlines, specifications, risks, challenges, deliverables, resources, etc. And this is basically what documentation is.

Documentation makes sure that everything is under control and going as planned. Plus, it guarantees that every critical need is fulfilled and not missed.

It starts from requirements gatherings to the end of the development process. So, when you meet your clients and get their needs, always document them because it ensures that every expectation is met afterward.

Besides these, documentation helps you and the clients understand what to expect from the designs, allowing you to manage their expectations professionally. Plus, it eliminates any confusion you and your team have with the project.

At Truemark, we make a list of tasks based on the client’s needs and collaborate with them and the teams with the help of Trello. It makes sure that everyone is on the same page.

Address the issues and limits

It is always crucial to address the issues and limits when gathering requirements and before and during the design process to avoid confusion later. Otherwise, it will hinder the development process and complicate your relationships with the clients.

The trust between you and the clients is very important. And you don’t want to break it just because you didn’t communicate the problems correctly to them. So, if you spot any red flags, report them immediately to them. Even better, resolve it quickly if possible to get back on the right track and manage the client’s expectations correctly.

Moreover, if you think the deadlines and expectations of the clients are unrealistic, then communicate with them and handle the situations the right way.

At Truemark, if there is any update on the project, we convey it to the clients to ensure that complications don’t arise and the project is on the right track.

Keep communication open

Always be available when the clients need you. For that, define communication channels. You can use Slack, Zoom, Skype, anything that is suitable for both of you. Defining a common medium helps to communicate smoothly and share information related to the project efficiently. Plus, it helps to avoid misunderstandings between both of you.

Moreover, be sure to reply to the client’s messages, emails, and calls as soon as possible. Don’t make them wait for hours and hours. You need to ensure that you are available when they need you. Doing so will help during urgency.

Plus, communicating regularly helps clients to relax because they get every information on time.  At Truemark, we use Slack and Zoom to communicate.

Be transparent

The client will always have tons of questions before and during the design process. It can be regarding the progress, changes, etc. And it is your responsibility to be transparent and give clear and honest answers. Once their queries are responded to successfully, the trust they have in you increases.

Besides, if there is any problem or occurs during the design phase or mistake in web design, convey it to the clients directly and truthfully. They have the right to know everything. Moreover, it is best to let them know and make them understand the situation.

Explain the current trends and changes and give them the best suggestions. Make them understand why it is essential for them.

Keep reporting

The clients always want to know what is going on with their designs. Will it be delivered on time? What is the status of the project? Such questions remain on their mind constantly. So, it is crucial to keep the clients up-to-date. You need to document everything and keep reporting to them. Even if there is no documentation, communicate with them through Slack or Zoom, or any channel.

Moreover, you need to show that you can complete the design on time. It keeps the momentum going and builds trust with the clients. They will understand that they have picked the right company to work with.

At Truemark, we report everything about the project to the clients weekly.

Deliver more

It is always important to know what you can do and what you can’t. Know your strengths and weaknesses, then set deadlines and expectations with the clients. Otherwise, if you fail to keep your words, then the clients won’t be happy. So, it is okay to under-promise and deliver more.

There is nothing more important than meeting the client’s expectations on time. Either you can pitch your designs daily or weekly or communicate, make sure that you keep reporting to them and delivering quality work on time.

Moreover, if you deliver work they weren’t expecting, then they will be more than happy. For example, completing the designs ahead of time. Doing this will leave a mark on the clients. They will be impressed and look forward to working with you in the future.

At Truemark, we work in Sprints and accomplish each milestone to complete the project on time.

In Conclusion

In a business, nothing is more important than building trust with the clients. The closer you are to the clients, the more you will be successful. For this, you need to know their expectations and manage them properly and build designs that will make both of you happy and satisfied.

Know their needs and set expectations. Back up your words through your work so that they can fully trust you. Communicate regularly to keep them up-to-date and help them be at ease. Always manage client expectations.

At Truemark, we communicate with our design team and plan thoroughly. We do extensive research, communicate regularly, and do daily standup to keep everyone up-to-date, including our clients. Slack and Zoom are our primary communication tools for reporting and keeping in touch with each other. We do all this to manage client expectations and make them happy.

We make sure that the design meets the clients’ expectations and keeps up with modern trends, changes, and competition. So, if you want to work with us, please feel free to contact us. We will be glad to work with you.

References: Scepter, Mettlesoft Technologies

Image Credits: Freepik from Freepik