When a Client Wants What’s Not Good

At some time or another, every web designer winds up with a client (or two or three) who wants something for their web site that just isn’t good for it.  Sometimes they really have their heart set on it and you hate to burst their bubble, but you really wouldn’t be doing your job if you didn’t at least present the problem(s) associated with whatever it is that they want. They’re paying the designer for their knowledge and expertise, but they’re going to have the final say in the matter. As professional designers it’s our job to bring the problem to the client’s attention and make suggestions for alternatives or other appropriate solutions.

This article was recently brought up for discussion in one of my designer’s groups, but I didn’t get a chance to read it until tonight. Peter Alexander’s  7 Common Design Mistakes That Clients Love (and how to fight back) really hit home. It’s geared for the web designer, but clients and potential clients will probably find it a good read as well, especially if one of the things they’re wanting for their own site is listed.

The Bottom Line?

I can tell clients ’till I’m blue in the face that something they want just isn’t good for their site but the bottom line is – they’re paying me and they have  the right to make the final decision. I learned long ago to accept that. I can’t make people listen to me, I can only inform them to the best of my ability and leave the decision-making up to them. I will have to say that most of my own clients are more than willing to listen and many times their decision is to follow my lead. If they don’t, at least I have the satisfaction of knowing that I did my job and did what I could do to inform them.