Web development: how to recognize a problem client at the start

drawing Denis Migunov
My company Newsim has long been firmly established in first place on the queries associated with basis in many cities of the Volga region. For some years we make them more and more, so the quality of the web sites and on the progress of the design and preparatory stage, we know very well. And from the client and from the Studio.

It so happens that web Studio is to blame only in the fact that generally undertook these projects (Yes, blame in 99% of cases both parties, and it would be interesting to read a response article from the clients web studios).

This article is a detailed check-list to determine the clients will probably be "bitter". For developers who do not grasp every order, this will with a light heart to abandon the project. In this case, you not only save time and nerves, but also the reputation save it.

the

1. There is no understanding, why?

The word "why" implies purpose, expressed in numbers – money, time, sales volumes, the global objectives of the company. Especially important is the participation of decision makers or business owners at this stage.

Competent leaders have a thorough understanding of business processes within the company and the location of the site in all of this. Here you can determine what minimum result is needed from the web Studio. Any conclusions that the website tasks can not solve.

For me, the lack of clear objectives is the main reason to refuse cooperation. There are exceptions, for example, when a site (any) it is a legal requirement, but I'm talking about commercial sites.

the

2. This is my first time...

Even a competent Manager will not save a site if the customer has not had the experience of working with web studios. Not to produce a lot of text, make paragraphs. A situation can happen to experienced customers, but increasingly to relate to the newcomers.

the

2.1. There is no trust

When you have a conversation with a client is a novice, your whole speech it sounds like "blah-blah-blah-the-blah-blah-blah-money."

The trouble is at this stage that employees of web-Studio are seen as crooks who sell the air. If the client came up with the idea of a new online project from the real economy, or "crazy money" that need somewhere urgently to invest – you can immediately put an end to the project. It is unlikely that you at the first meetings, even the idea tell. Otherwise "steal."

To build a trusting relationship only a constant communication and training. But here I would time I would not invest. Because the customer wants...

the

2.2. "Too cheap"

To explain about the process in the Studio, the cost of normo-hour, and so useless. After all, you are ultimately still the customer feels sell "air". To convey that the site is the image of the company on the Internet is quite difficult. Although image-no can not be, if the customer describes himself in the form of "we are everyone".

So it's better there is a client for the first site for freelancers (don't mean to offend). And, taught by experience, comes to us.

the

2.3. Syndrome missing client

For beginners a very characteristic appear and disappear at any time without a way to call or get in touch. Therefore, no prior to signing of contract and receiving of money is done in any case impossible.

the

2.4. Without dummy content

Let's say that we successfully passed all stages and the customer was extremely prepared. The question arises with the content. As a rule, it does not exist or no one to do, and to pay photographers, copywriters and even provide a specialist to answer the questions, the client is not ready.

Finish.

the

3. Hello, I'm the new Manager

It is also one of the common causes of developing a new site. The company comes a new energetic staff member who once said that "everything must be different." Starts wild creativity, which does not solve the above described problems with the content and processes of the customer.
Spend time, money. A long negotiation, the forced result...the New site is working worse than the old one, and the Manager leaves the company after 3-4 months.

the

4. Too much expectations

A search for "silver bullet". Blind faith that technology and pretty pictures can dramatically improve the situation of the customer in the market. Usually this situation occurs when everything is bad: sales are down, employees are fleeing the company, and few customers write negative reviews.

In this case the leadership does not understand that any technology can be copied and replicated. It is not an advantage in itself, and must first seek and solve problems within the company. In the end, ordering from the website someone needs to process and monitor its execution...

Here it makes sense to add that before you develop a good idea to study a niche, demand, competition and so on. It may be that the company does not need a website, and my instagram.

the

5. Perfectionism client

The most dangerous enemy. You need to explain to the client that the development of websites and Internet marketing – the process is iterative, and it may happen that in a year will come to an understanding – website and advertising campaign need to radically other. This will tell Analytics statistics and data sales.

When the company tested their hypotheses only 4-5 months, and the pants already just about ready to fall off, not to check the commas in the text. Need the sale.

There is another point in perfectionism forgotten: meticulousness is usually manifested only in the sphere of competence. For example, one and the same text different experts will be criticized from completely opposite sides. Concealer important commas, for the publisher – fonts, paper, time, and for the reader – mainly semantic part.

Therefore, the main objective of tutorials is to give the finished product minimum requirements for TK and not work for work's sake. It's unfinished, which result from the rapidly changing environment in six months to die.

the

6. We know exactly what you want

This type of customer sees the developer as a "literary Negro" and does not understand that cooperation involves the exchange of ideas on both sides.

They do not consider alternative solutions to problems. And they know exactly what the landing page will solve all their problems.

In the end the customer fit in all processes, and if the PM will give direct access to the designer and programmers, have a nervous breakdown they provided.

the

7. The threshold to impose its conditions

Unreasonable change in a contract or begging for discounts – a sure sign that the web Studio and must in the end will be.

Discount have to give for something. For example, when cooperation has already taken place, and both parties were satisfied with the result.

the

8. No roles/responsibilities

Separate the person from the customer who has the right to make decisions and responsible for them – a prerequisite that must be assigned in the contract. If at the meeting, come one, then the other people should think about the fact that the terms of the contract, the TOR and other agreements are constantly changing in the course of work. This is unlikely to have a positive impact on the company's results.

PS how works your "gut"? When the inner voice tells you: "stay out of this, buddy"?

Article based on information from habrahabr.ru