One of the biggest mistakes which web designers often make when speaking to potential clients is in assuming that they understand what is being referred to when speaking about such things as CSS, CGI, SSL and other terms that are second nature to the developer. A client is interested in one thing and one thing only, and that is whether or not a website will help his or her company make money. That’s the truth, plain and simple.
Why then are there so many technical articles written on websites which are trying to sell web development products to clients who have absolutely no interest in learning the technical terms of the trade? In fact, it is almost a self-defeating process to try to explain any of this other than in plain English. What a client wants to hear is what can be done to generate traffic and how that traffic can affect business.
At the moment one of the biggest elements of Web design is a viral video. That isn’t hard to explain because everyone knows that a virus spreads quickly and before long it can become an epidemic. This is an easy concept to wrap one’s brain around, so no explanation need be given when trying to sell viral video production to clients. However, whether you say CGI or Common Gateway Interface, some amount of explanation will need to be given. Do you think that client really cares about a server program that runs to add dynamic content to a website?
Think of this in terms of going to your physician because of excruciating pain in your leg only to have the doctor tell you that you have a deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremity for which he/she will be prescribing a 4-hydroxycoumarin-derived mycotoxin anticoagulant. Unless the patient is in the medical profession, it may sound as though it’s some form of fatal disease and the diagnosis will be totally alien. It is much easier to simply say, “You have a blood clot and I will prescribe a blood thinner to dissolve it.”
If you are a web developer looking for new clientele, keep it simple! Conversely, if you are a business owner looking to have a website developed, there is nothing wrong with telling the developer to explain that in plain English. After all, if you understood all those highly technical terms, why would you need a web developer in the first place? You could simply build your own site and propel it to page one of Google all by yourself. It really is okay to ask questions and expect a straight answer in your own language.
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Great presentation of your experienced about clients dealing with web design and your 100% correct mostly client do like that.
Yes, you are right. Clients of website visitor just think about their profit, so web design content must create with user point of view. This helps to attract user and attracts for getting more information about website. It is good to change visitors into customers.
simplicity in communication is really a vital part of a project. A barrier will only result in failure
That is so true! I think we all appreciate the things which are detailed, but explained in plain English. I think it increase the reach and many Non-English speaking countries can even try to understand it!
To make your communication more productive, always use a language that your clients can understand easily. Always make the communication easy and effective.
Good point, effective communication does not need to involve technical terms. Its enough that you know what to do and how to do whatever you are asked for. Keep in mind you client isnt interested in all these technical terms. All they want is to deliver them a working product.
Hi Lawmacs,
I am gald that you write post on this topic. I believe that there is no harm to explain CSS, CGI, SSL and other terms that are second nature to the developer.in plain English but still people hesitate to do so and I think your article encourages many website owners or developers to use plain English.
ne of the biggest mistakes which web designers often make when speaking to potential clients is in assuming that they understand what is being referred to when speaking about such things as CSS, CGI, SSL and other terms that are second nature to the developer. A client is interested in one thing and one thing only, and that is whether or not a website will help his or her company make money. That’s the truth, plain and simple.
Well said, clients will not be able to understand the technical part of web designing and hence developers should try to make them understand in simple language.
Great point. It is very necessary to use the simple language so that client can understand the application maintenance.
You are absolutely right because often people neglect this very important and basic point of their website’s design and that’s way they have to pay for it. Every newbie in online business should keep in mind that he should make his website easy navigable, user friendly as well as search engine friendly.
You are very right Linda. I agree with you. Simplicity resolves every problem. Great post about the web design !
A web designer should understand that the costumer wants: a website easy to navigate, easy to be read, good looking, fast loading and he wants to make money from it. If the web designer does not get this, I think he chose the wrong job.
The design is showcase of whole your work.The design should have the capability to describe the whole working of the firm.& as well as have the capability to bring the audience to the site.Well informative one posting shared. Thanks for info…
one thing that you share here is the secret of success in web designing that is simplicity. Thanks for this best post about designing in simple English.
Hi Lawmacs,
I’ve found that sometimes people want to explain stuff in technical terms to show of their know how, but usually if you are direct with them and just say “I don’t understand that, dumb it down a bit please” they will lower their explanation to suit.
Being a web developer, you must be competent in your web designing in order to get a lot client that will seek your service. You must do your job well and it is very important that you have confident in your web designing.
that’s so true..
the client don’t need to know whether it’s built with php, ajax, etc..
their concern just one: whether the website help them to increase the brand an sales…
Always nice to stick with the basic English when it comes to web designing. because it makes things easy to the users. Mind blowing thoughts though!
For web designing it is most important to have the knowledge of HTML and CSS in basic. Then only you can proceed further.
Speaking skill plays an important role in market that any business market is key of success . Because good marketing experts given perfect information to client about own business
Great! Love this post. We really need to use simple language so that we can be able to communicate well with our targeted clients.
Website should always be in English because it is a international language which every people in the world can understand.
Codes that are being used should not alienate a certain group of possible users. Just like what everybody says, it should be user friendly by making commands more understandable. The use of the English language as a default feature is an added feature.
Hi,
Very true, clients are only looking for solution and not interested in detailing. They want final product upto date, so developer should know this and help your client in making a final product which gives your client full satisfaction.
Regards,
Brenda.
Very handy allocation. Most of the website owner doesn’t realize that simple and easy language is one of the effective sides of any website. So we the owner of a website should know it perfectly. Thanks
When you will starts to build any website whether it’s for client or personal, first you make website design and color combination in you mid because sometime developers forget to select proper colors for website. Yes companies only think about their profile not else, after the finishing your website then you adds original and informative content because when users enter in your site so, don’t feel that this content is not good.