what to do when the person doesnt know what they want for a site

unwashed potato! · 19 Apr 2007 at 12:18

every site i seem to be doing lately the person never ever knows what they want even with lots of help they give me absolutely nothing towards the design leaving me completely stuck as to what to do for there site.

Wondering how other web designers deal with this? The trobule im having is that as im not an creative arty type person i can't just conjure up a really good idea out of nothing.

2 Sites im diong at the moment i have made 2 examples for each but the people didn't like them. Im now stuck as i don't want to waste more time doing examples for them when they are going to just say they dont like it.

I have a question sheet i give to them to answer but i don't think its specific enough about each part of the design.

Thanks

Mark M · 19 Apr 2007 at 13:41

Tell them that you will design 2 examples for them to chose from and if they want any more "from scratch" then it will be £25 per design perhaps?

eracer2006 · 19 Apr 2007 at 13:49

a mate of mine who does webdesign : www.minimalistics.co.uk says:

Tell them they need to liase with the customer, rather than a question and answer sheet sit down with the customer, go through your old websites seeing what it is they like, get them to show you sites they like etc..

Hope that helps.

Dj_Jestar · 19 Apr 2007 at 14:24

Discussion for the win.

Take along examples (i.e. screenshots of previous designs) get them thinking. If it's a Motocross website, discuss bikes and dirt. If it's a hairdressers site, discuss scissors and hair clippings. Etcetera etcetera.

PinkPig · 19 Apr 2007 at 15:58

I'd agree that it's all about discussion. It's not reasonable for you to charge for "another example" - after all, they're presumably paying you a fair bit to make a design that you like, and web design (like lots of design) is as much about working out what someone wants as it is about just making what they want.

You need to ask them what it is that they don't like about your two existing designs. Are there functionality issues? Do they just not like the graphical design or colour scheme? When getting a client you need to make them understand that some level of communication is important - from your point of view it's not reasonable for them to say "I don't like that, do something else", and if you work well with them then they should realise that.

Shoseki · 20 Apr 2007 at 13:14

I'd say, ask them for whom they are making a website - what is their target audience.

What style of layout do they like, flow or fixed width (console)?

What type of content are they intending on hosting?

And of course, images images images!