7 secrets web creatives don't want you to know
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Last Updated: Tuesday, 25 March 2008
By Craig Reardon
In Part 2 of Web Secrets, here are 7 things web designers don't want you to know as you build or redevelop your website.
Like web developers who won't tell you what you need to know when you build or re-build a site (7 secrets the web industry doesn't want you to know), some creative people can also live in a different world to us.
Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing better than arriving at a website that is elegant, clean and conducive to browsing. I’ve worked with many professional designers who are a pleasure to do business with, and they are worth their weight in gold.
But some designers can be so far off the mark that what you are left with is a very nice looking piece of art that beyond the surface has nothing to do what a good website should – service your customers.
Here’s some of the things a web creative may not tell you about working with them. And before they get indignant about questioning their good reputations, let me tell you that each of these depictions are based on real life situations (in other words, I’m just the messenger).
1. That websites aren’t just about ‘the look’
Websites can be very deceptive. While they can look a million dollars, the appearance of the website is only a small part of the formula for a successful online presence.
Sure it looks great, but can search engines find it? Is it easy to navigate? Is it well written? Does it provide clear calls to action? Does it provide seamless progression to the sale (or at least inquiry)? Does it allow clients to easily make their own changes? Does its underlying technology allow you to easily and affordably add functionality as your requirements grow? Does it actually work?
I’ve seen hundreds of websites that look fantastic, only to delve further and find many of these issues are not considered. At the end of the day they can mean significant lost business.
2. That a good CMS (content management system) will significantly reduce their ongoing fees
There’s no doubt that providing tools for clients to manage their own content can be fraught with danger. I’ve spent considerable time and effort applying best practice layout to a client website only to return a few weeks later to find it’s been butchered by a well-meaning member of the client’s staff.
However, many changes to a website are minor in nature that a client can quite happily make themselves without affecting the visual appeal of the site.
While the notion of a client altering their works of art would send a shiver up the spine of many creatives, in most cases a good balance can be found between keeping the site dynamic and keeping it looking good – saving the client a small fortune in paying the designer to achieve the same result.
3. That they actually don’t know anything about designing for the web
I’m of the belief that all creative work should be managed via a central person – usually the person who has designed your corporate ID or brochure. This approach means that your all important branding is carried through the various media with consistency and professionalism.
But sometimes that person has no experience in designing for the web. The result is that you may be paying for the designer’s expensive learning curve or hit a significant stumbling block when you want to add functionality that is beyond their expertise.
This can easily be resolved by having that designer work with your web team, giving you the best of both worlds.
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