How should web designers present website mockups to clients?
A web designer does plenty of work before presenting a finished website to his client. Before he presents the complete product, the designer also has to consider when and how to present a mockup of the website to the client. The stages involved in web designing include initial mockup and early build as well as final reveal. Customers are free to change their minds regarding how the website should look like and the designer has to be flexible. So often that customers change their decisions umpteenth times because website is the door to get more business.
How should the web designer prepare to present the initial mockup to his clients?
Take detailed notes when consulting
Taking notes during the initial consult meeting when learning what the client requires is crucial to be able to deliver or send the perfect mockup to your client. Ask questions to provide you with ideas regarding the functional requirements in addition to the style and visual concerns that the client has during the initial meeting. On the other hand, prepping your customers on the do’s and don’ts and tips for web designing for small business is a good start to set the expectations for clients.
Consider users’ navigation
Build and send navigation or sitemap first. If approved, spend the next moments building the initial mockup based on the sitemap. The sitemap is crucial since it determines the flow of the website. Sitemap also determines the requirement for user navigation. Having a good navigation and good user experience helps in your website’s SEO. The better user experience and the more SEO strategies your website implements, the higher Google ranks your website. Attend credible SEO courses to learn the tips and tricks!
Prepare a single mockup
The information that you obtained from the initial meeting should make it easy to create a single mockup PDF file or image of the website. This way, you will have the single point of referral from which you can continue building the website without making the client feel overwhelmed with choice paralysis.
Remember to include all the details
Remember to include sections on the mockup where clients can comment, rate and share pages if they wish to. Do not make this an afterthought as it could be the difference between successfully impressing the client and disappointing him. The initial mockup should include the main features of the website rather than extra features that you should add only during the final build.
Make the site personal based on the brand or client
Ask the client to provide you with company photos. Avoid using stock photos as these do not augur well for brand recognition. The site is part of the brand and all photos must be from and of the company. The client should provide photos of its actual products. Brand-specific photos are the best at personalizing the website while preparing the initial mockup.
When you follow the aforementioned steps, presenting the mockup to your client and convincing him of the need to approve what you show him will not be an impossible task. Use this opportunity to walk step-by-step with the client and let him understand every stage. Involving the client is the best strategy for winning his trust and ensuring that he corporate with you from the beginning to the end.
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