Before the Project begins, you must
In the mist of Covid-19 (Corona Virus), we at JDS WebDesign are hoping everyone is safe, washing your hands frequently, sneezing and coughing in your elbow, and practicing social distancing. Over the next several weeks, we are planning on blogging about how to make your website more business friendly. We will have some tutorials on our favorite plugins and features, which will make your site more efficient.
So you have been award your dream project. Now what? Do you know what to ask prior to the project begin? Most difficult projects are a result of not know what to ask before the project begins.
3 questions you must ask before the project begins
A few days ago, while enjoying my favorite beverage at a watering hole (coffee shop), I was discuss a trouble project with a fellow web designer. She was telling me about how the project has spin out of control. The client has pushed the boundaries so far that, the site looks nothing like the proposal. Did you ask the following questions prior to beginning the project?
What form of communications are we using? What do you need from us and when to keep the project on schedule? When are the task due and how can we tell if we are on schedule?
Communication
After you have the contract in hand, and hopefully the down payment, you must introduce what application is going to be used to communicate with your client. My favorite is Asana. While Asana is my favorite, there are many other options. Some like the Basecamp. while others like Trello, and still others like Monday.
The key is to have something to communicate with your client. So what should you communicate about…
Project Schedule
You should be discussing the project schedule. When are you going to have the demo up? When does the client need to forward you content? Content should include logo, photography, words for all the pages, and all the passwords from the prior website. Make sure that you have a back up plan, with cost, in case your client does not meet the deadline.
Creating web design project, means putting on your contractor hat sometimes. You will need to make sure that it (the deadlines) are clearly stated in the contract and software application. Remember communication is very important during the design process.
Task Due dates
Make sure your task dates are somewhat flexible, so added some time in for delays. However delay and waiting for content is not the same. Delay is a day or two late…waiting for the content is three or more days late. If this is a waiting situation, then you will need to go to back up plan.
As the task master, you will need to keep the project on task. Many of the ways that the project gets off task, is allowing the client to add other functions or features. You can not have an open end project…if so, then the project will never be launch. Every time you get ready to launch, another delay will pop up …as the client will want some thing new added to the project. It is your duty to keep the project under control.
Image courtesy of Mimi Thian.
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JDS WebDesign is a Web Design and Brand Marketing Agency located in Marietta, Georgia. We create AWESOME on line presence for Start-ups and Influential People/Organizations. To learn more about us or how we can help you and your organization, you can contact us or schedule a meeting.
