Trading Shoes
[by Jenna Close]
There’s nothing like the other side of the coin to put things into perspective. Earlier this year I found myself searching for a website designer. In the process, I learned a few things about being a client.
It’s stressful… The client’s colleagues and boss will be judging THEM based on how YOU execute the job. In addition to this, they are often trying to navigate in a field of expertise that is not their own. It’s important to understand this. Don’t assume that they know what questions to ask.
First impressions count for something… I looked at a lot of websites while searching for a designer. I got so freaked about by half of them that I never made it past the homepage. Likely some of those people could have met my needs, but I wasn’t willing to take the risk (Why? See “It’s stressful…”). This decision was based completely on how they presented themselves to the world. First impressions may be snap judgements, but they carry weight all the same.
Educate with respect… I moved on from the first designer I contacted because they became offended when I would ask questions about their suggestions. They took it as a personal affront. I simply wanted to understand what I was paying for and why. This is a client’s right. Take the time to educate them honestly, respectfully and without offense. Even if they eventually hire someone else, they will still appreciate your business practices.
These ideas were not new to me before I began my search. However, spending some time as a client was a great exercise. I would recommend the experience to everyone.
Jenna has no idea if her new site will be up by the time you read this post. Either way, she can be reached at www.p2photography.net.
One Response to 'Trading Shoes'
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I really like this!! Thank you for the reminder.