First real client

What are the steps to make them want to buy?

[Junanagoh]

Last month I redesigned a site for a lady I kind of work with (I am an administrative assistant at a real estate office)They loved it, other people in their line of work loved it, and so now I am flooded with potential clients.

So on Thursday I am going to meet with a team of 2 agents. The thing is that they know they want a site, know they want to use me, but dont know WHAT they want.

So what are the steps to take with clients? What do you present them? How do you figure out exactly what they want so the final product comes out to their satisfation?

[criznach]

Get a feel for their budget up front. If a client doesn't know what they want, it's best to work it out as much as possible before entering into a contract. If you feel that they have the budget to cover your invested time later, and you're fairly sure they'll choose you to do the work, spend some time planning.

Treat the project as if you were building a house. It's a good way to relate how important the planning stage is, and how expensive changes can be once work has started.

Let them know that you intend to secure a signed contract before starting work, and in my experience, good clients will understand and work with you to clearly define the project.

Chris.

[Junanagoh]

Thanks criznach (And Welcome to WW!)

So first figure out their budget. Then what? They want to see what I can offer. Since I am so new at this (but I think I am at least an average designer so far) I dont have much work to show them. Do I just find other sites to see what they do and dont want?

After I find out the gist of what they want make 'blueprints' of the site? How do I present these?

Sorry about all of these questions. I have a bunch of them.

[henry0]

First keep in mind that you need to pass the following message to a potential client:
We do not build a web temple to your glory but a site dedicated to your users and new-targeted users
This being said:
Be sure to stay well within your capabilities

Understand what the client’s biz is about
Understand the products
Define the actual users profile
Define the potential users profile

Using those profiles foresee the user experience, what they need, what they will be looking for, how will they find what they look for.

Think in marketing terms

Think in “white hat” organic SEO terms

Shake well and serve a few ideas
Discuss with client
Keep two

Draw a sketch

Select one

Seek existing content
Organize
Serialize

Who’s going to write more contents?

Do a “demo” No dynamism, no interaction very basic on a test server

Then coding etc…..

Good luck

Be sure to spell out everything, payment, deposit. Contract etc….

Having fun yet?

[criznach]

All good points. Definitely try to define their market and think of ways to leverage that.

I've known about this site for years, but didn't start reading it until this weekend. Looks like a daily reader from now on. I've been a web developer for 10 years, but this is my 4th week of being on my own. I've worked for myself before, but this time it's official.

Chris.

[Junanagoh]

Thanks for all of the great advice!

Having fun yet?

Of course! I only got into this in November but am loving it and spend a great deal of each day on research, designing, learning new languages/programs.

Ill post more questions when I have them. Thanks for all of the great information.

[Junanagoh]

I just want to thank you guys for all of the information so far. It has been very useful for the initial presentation. I have clearly stated why a website is needed in their feild (with extremely good statistics) and how to give the user what they want.

Ill post how the presentation goes tomorrow.

If anyone else has any other advice I would be glad to hear it.

Thanks again guys.