Huskerdarren

flesh out what a client wants their site to look like? Do you give them a choice of 5 or 10 templates and then focus on graphics and color schemes? Do you use a form of some sort to capture all of the basics needed for the build?

These aren't selling for a huge amount of money so I would think you would try to get to the heart of what your client wants the finished product to look like as quickly as possible. Thoughts?

Jay Moreno

we have a basic layout and change the colors of the CSS to match the main site - just try to keep it simple

haven't had a single person yet say they didn't like it - mainly because they are already familiar with their company color scheme plus i would never show a client anything that i didn't think looked good...

hope that helps

jay

markjob

Does anyone use css for gradients? I want to create some gradient style buttons but don't want to use images because of the size. Can css be used that way? Also as well as the gradient css button, can the code make the button not go the whole width of the page?

WillR

Gradients can be used in CSS3 but not all popular devices support CSS3 - for example my Blackberry does not. On those devices you will just see the one color as gradients and rounded corners will not be supported.

Mistake number 1 is showing your customers templates. You might be using templates but don't let them know that as it will cheapen your service. As you mentioned when you are only selling the sites for $300 - $500 you don't want to have to spend much money on the design of the actual site, that is why templates are such a great idea.

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markjob

Thanks willR, i didn't know some devices don't support CSS3. So till they all do support it i will just have to really cut down on the number and size of the images.

WillR

When I say they don't support it you can still use those things however on some devices they won't look the same. It doesn't mean the page will not work at all, it just means the gradients and rounded corners won't display properly - rounded corners will instead be square and gradients will instead be just one color.

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Jay Moreno

As Will said you can include those features just make sure they can degrade gracefully for those that can't handle that type of code - ie make sure the background still looks presentable if the gradient doesn't work

mjbmedia

How do your clients know what they want, they dont know what makes mobile websites more effective, they dont know how mobile usage of sites differs from PC based sites, so why should they tell you how to do their sites, you have to take control, assert your knowledge and influence over them and advise them what they will have as thats what is going to be effective.

Surely thats part of what theyre paying for, your expertise , your knowledge , and then the design / implementation else any bozo can jump into this industry and we dont want that as it will then be the same as web design

Mike

JToneyUK

Totally agree with what mjbmedia has said above, but the aim is to deliver a simple site for mobile use.

By tweaking the colours, adding the company logo and an image from their current website will make each "template" unique looking.

Jay Rhome

Exactly. Usually the less choice for the prospect the better, as otherwise you'll get a true "I'll have to think about it".

If you devise a mock up with the business color scheme and logo, and it does look like a version their current site, usually they'll be fine with it... unless they had planned to change their site or are in the process of doing so. It happens, but rarely.

You can still customize it for them if needed, but most of the time your work is done. They take it or they don't. The comparison between how their non-mobile sites looks on the smartphone and your version helps seal the deal but usually, they have to see there's a need for a mobile version and how it will bring them clients and MONEY. Otherwise it's a moot point.

That's why I'm not so keen on doing mockups first anymore. I'd rather show them - using QR Codes for a "wow" factor - other work done for competitors...