Don't assume they've seen Google

Friday, October 27, 2006, 10:43 PM
Graphic Design by John (Article #125)

One of the oddest and sometimes hardest things to pass on to clients is the importance of keeping website designs simple.

One cause is that clients have often confused web design with other media. They think full-color, full-bleed, full-gloss is the standard in printing, so why would it be bad in web design, right? Of course, it can be bad, because a website is first an interface, and only much later a work of art.

Another cause however is they just have not thought deeply on the matter or even looked at Google.

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It sounds odd, but it is true. People often isolate themselves with the internet. Or, they have seen it but the relevance didn't register. What? Simple, clean design? Huh? What have you been smoking?

It is slowly becoming clear to me that people who seek independent web designers do so in part because they just haven't internalized what it takes to make a website.

Sure, they can't code PHP or handle a database. Those are major selling points for people like me.

But, one of the big things is they have never even considered what it takes to make a successful website.

It is your responsibility as a web designer to bring them up to speed. If they don't mention Google from a design standpoint, then you need to do so for them.

Don't let it slide by. Anyone can sell a client's ass back to him. A real professional will ignore that urge and sell a successful website.

That means impressing the importance of making sure that a clean interface comes before a glossy visual.

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Welcome!

Wonder where to start with your web design business?

This blog follows along with my efforts to build and grow a website design business, Pro Content and Design.

The goal of this blog is to fill in blanks that may be empty as you get your business rolling.

This blog, particularly the source code section, is not intended for beginners. If you are not comfortable with databases, Ajax, DOM objects and other advanced methods, I strongly suggest you go take a look over at W3 Schools before even reading -- let alone tinkering with -- any of the code here.

I hope this blog has some value to web designers as they attempt to get their businesses going.

Good luck, and happy reading.

Thank you,
John Crawford
Pro Content and Design