Questions to ask client on first meeting?

First client and want to be thorough and professional

[Oslo2004]

Hello all and thankyou for taking the time to read my post.

I have a meeting with my first potential paying client this week and i want to be very detailed, thorough and professional in the way i go about my business so i have a list of questions that i will ask the client on the first meeting to get an idea of what they are looking for (i already know he wants an ecommerce site) So i would like some ideas about specific ecommerce questions that i should ask them eg. how many products? preference of ecommerce software?

Also i would like to make a sort of template of questions to ask all potential clients for the future so i would be really interested to know the questions that all you web professionals ask and also in what order to ascertain exactly where the client is coming from, to beef up my existing(tiny) list.

Your help here is much appreciated.

Thanks
Enrico

[roitracker]

My top 3:

1. What are the client's goals?
2. How soon do they need it?
3. Do they have an allocated budget?

[stuntdubl]

In a first meeting, LISTENING is one of the most important elements of success. In a first meeting you are most often selling yourself rather than your services. The biggest thing is to be prepared to answer all of THEIR questions, and know how to draw their questions out of them. If they want to do something, make sure they know what it would take, and what the implications may be to the best of your ability. Be up front and direct, and BS as little as possible.

Here is a format for an SEO Proposal [webmasterworld.com] which may or may not be applicable in some regards.

Be sure to understand their goals, and make sure that they are realistic.

Great questions Roitracker...all definite necessities to know.

You can also ask about:
1)Other sites they like
2)Competitors
3)Sites they hate
4)Who will be responsible for content
5)Do they have some organizational structure in mind?
6)Company Colors

Try not to overwhelm them too much in your first meeting though, and whatever you do...don't make them feel stupid;)

[Roomy]

Is the client a definate? or are you just one of a few people they will be seeing?

If they are not a definate you need to find out a whole raft of information. Bear in mind the following creed. MAN

1. Do they have the Money for the project

2. Does the person your meeting have the Authority to give the go ahead.

3. Do they have a clear Need for your services

once you have established that then you know you can deal with this individual and you can start to listen and probe.

If on the other hand you are already the chosen provider then whilst still bearing in mind the above, life is a whole lot easier.

A life spent in sales, 12 months as a webmaster

[Oslo2004]

Hey thanks guys for your post's much appreciated.

Enrico