Getting information from clients

Voodoochilli · Jul 6th, 2007, 15:20

Firstly, thanks for making this thread available to post on. Very useful

Ok, yesterday I got an email that said literally (well I have changed the words slightly, but the email was 1 sentance long)

"Please send me a quote for a website and to get it in the search engines"

Ok, I replied asking for more information, to which I was told he didn't know. He then wanted a meeting. I generally don't take on jobs unless I know what they are about and how big they are. And I cant go to meetings unless I know its going to pay in the end. I have found that it is just not worth taking on small jobs unless I have no other work.

Eventually I found out that it was a very small job. I had to turn it down.

Now on my web portfolio site, I have a form for potential clients to fill in, this weeds out a lot of people who expect a website for a few pounds (or dollars) and those that think they can just buy a website, and not have to get any content or put any input into the project. i normaly email back with more questions, and if they cant be bothered to reply, i know its probably not worth taking the job on.

However, a lot of clients still just email me like the above example, or phone me and say "how much is an average site" without knowing why they even need a website.

What I want to know is, do any of you have any good methods to getting useful information from your clients and alerting them that a website does in fact cost money and take time before they want a 2 hour meeting, miles away from your office?

Lchad · Jul 6th, 2007, 16:04

Interesting that you have run into that problem.
I have never had that type of email or question.

I also post my rates or at least a guideline as well as a complete FAQ area on my site that tells them ALL about what they can expect. So I don't think I get many tire kickers at all.

Firstly I would tell you you'd be happy to meet with them but ask them to give you an idea of what they want so that you can put together a presentation prior to meeting with them. Otherwise it's pointless for you to have a meeting. At a minimum could they point you to some of their competition so you may research it.
If they can't find the time to come up with a brief idea of what they want, I would not bother. If they can't do that, how are they ever going to help finish the site.

I have asked prospective clients to do a little research... look around... see what you like... see what your competition is doing and then you can have an idea of what they need. I may brainstorm with them via phone or email as well.

Voodoochilli · Jul 6th, 2007, 16:08

To be honest it doesnt happen that often, but it does happen. sometimes I think clients dont know what they want so they think by having a meeting with a designer that will help. it may help them, but I think they should research first. These sort of clients normaly want really small sites.

Lchad · Jul 6th, 2007, 16:18

I agree with you. Often they are so intimidated by the web that the entire thing seems just overwhelming.

I don't mind small projects/clients but if I sense it's really small, I try to do things over the phone or email since it's not profitable to travel.

I wonder if you would be better to market yourself to mid sized businesses.
Some des/dev won't even take on a client for under $1000. Maybe if you referred the smaller projects to someone else, that would be more beneficial for you. Then you are not leaving them hanging...

JacobHaug · Jul 6th, 2007, 16:40

Well I always put my price right out in the open. When a client calls me and asks how much the average website with me would cost, I say..."$5,000 to $10,000." That weeds out the smaller clients that can't afford that price. But that is not my market, I am in web design for larger companies and cooperations. Plus flash developers and designers make more, so anyway.

Then I send them a design worksheet. It is a two page worksheet asking for information about their company and what they do. How large is the company, do they have any color preferences, how many pages...etc. If it takes longer then two weeks to get me the worksheet back, I won't do the website.

You see the client contacted me to do the website, something I am assuming they want done. So if it takes longer then two weeks to get me papers for something they want to do, it's not worth my time. I have found that normally the client will leave the website unfinished if they take longer then two weeks to get me those papers.

I try to make it as easy as possible for my clients. I write all the websites content, design and build their website. Work with creative writers to make sure the content is well written and interesting. Work with programmers to develop code that is up to par, and each site is different. I guess that is what keeps me going.

When I first started Flash design, I would advertize my services. Do jobs for free, but after I got a few hundred sites in my portfolio the work just came to me mostly from referrals. Now I at the point where I can't take on any web design work, just too busy!

sannbe · Jul 6th, 2007, 19:53

Clients....I remember when they use to call and ask how much it cost.....As a consultant things work a little differently for me....I have a list of questions I ask potential clients. I always turn them to the client...example: How do you want to use your communication system? I've found when you phrase things that way, they can't respond with the dreaded yes or no answer. Since I don't do face to face until I know alot about their business, I avoid all unnecessary meetings. Also, if they are having trouble answering the questions, I tell them to think about them and call me back when they have answers. Those who do want my services...those who don't, bye bye. Since I work with long time clients or their referrals, everyone using my services, knows what I need from them. Nice to be established....