What questions do you ask a business owner before you design and build their site?

15 years ago

Hi Chris

I have a link in my sig file that will give you a start, its a pdf that contains the stuff you should be telling business owners to do to save them time and money, which you can also use to come across as the 'expert'.

You have just given me some great inspiration for the next article in the series.

Kind regards

John

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Chris Whitrod

15 years ago

Originally Posted by John Pawlett

Hi Chris

I have a link in my sig file that will give you a start, its a pdf that contains the stuff you should be telling business owners to do to save them time and money, which you can also use to come across as the 'expert'.

You have just given me some great inspiration for the next article in the series.

Kind regards

John

Thank you John,

I have read and re-read both of your reports. And without sounding like I'm blowing wind... your a very smart guy, and very generous to have produced these reports for free.
For others entering the offline niche, take 5 and devour the report titled "Take A Step Back Before You Set Up A Website".
I got excited about the software you suggested in your report. Looks like it will save me heaps of Key Word Research Hours.
Bit of a no-brainer to subscribe to your blog, I'll be looking out for the next installments.
Thanks again for your tips.
Regards
Chris Whitrod

Thanks

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n7 Studios

15 years ago

Chris,

There are some fundamentals that you can ask - but to be honest, it depends on their business and their aims of the web site. Some may just wish to display information about the business, whilst others want to sell a product, or build up an opt-in list of prospects.

Each aim has its own solution. What I usually do is establish the aims of the business, understand the business background, produce a short proposal breaking down the exact steps required by all parties, along with further suggestions to further enhance their business objectives.

Tim.

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Chris Whitrod

15 years ago

Originally Posted by n7 Studios

Chris,

There are some fundamentals that you can ask - but to be honest, it depends on their business and their aims of the web site. Some may just wish to display information about the business, whilst others want to sell a product, or build up an opt-in list of prospects.

Each aim has its own solution. What I usually do is establish the aims of the business, understand the business background, produce a short proposal breaking down the exact steps required by all parties, along with further suggestions to further enhance their business objectives.

Tim.

Thanks Tim,
You have readjusted my thinking. A website is a tool albeit powerful tool for achieving a business objective. And generally for my clients that is attracting new prospects and converting them to customers. Nevertheless I need to go through a process to help them to identify what it is that they really want from their website.
Cheers mate,
Chris

Thanks

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wayfarer

15 years ago

I just try to understand their goals, and see if I can correct their vision for things, when it needs to be corrected. I try to be as open as possible, and invite them to ask any questions or address any worries they may have about their business or being established online. I try to tell them as much as I can, from my experience, what it is like to have a website, and will usually walk them through the steps of what it takes to build one. As addressed above, it really depends a lot on the individual, their experience, and the nature of their business.

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banzaibert

15 years ago

It's all about the business, the company's vision and the client's taste. And you start working from those information. Have it critiqued and do revisions.

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webpagesrus

15 years ago

I think the most important question you should ask is, what do they want the site to accomplish? What is their expectation of having a new Website, is it to begin selling merchandise online, advertising, interact with customers, or just to reach out and help people locate them?
Having that information can help you assure that you are designing a site to suit their needs.....

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Chris Whitrod

15 years ago

Honestly....I did a little happy dance when I saw these replys. Experts at my finger tips - man I love this place!

Wayfarer- Cheers mate. It sounds like your clients have had the same fears and confusion about websites. Your step by step process of walking them through everything requires some of the patients that I need to exert more of, instead of racing ahead and selling my diagnosis. Much more consultative ... I like it. Thanks

Originally Posted by wayfarer

I just try to understand their goals, and see if I can correct their vision for things, when it needs to be corrected. I try to be as open as possible, and invite them to ask any questions or address any worries they may have about their business or being established online. I try to tell them as much as I can, from my experience, what it is like to have a website, and will usually walk them through the steps of what it takes to build one. As addressed above, it really depends a lot on the individual, their experience, and the nature of their business.

Thanks banzaibert, a pretty strong consensus building up! Cheers

Originally Posted by banzaibert

It's all about the business, the company's vision and the client's taste. And you start working from those information. Have it critiqued and do revisions.

And at the end of the day, providing a valuable service that the customer wants, is easier than attempting to 'sell' him a service that he actually needs. And it sounds like Webpagesrus is nipping that one in the butt straight away. Great advice.

Originally Posted by webpagesrus

I think the most important question you should ask is, what do they want the site to accomplish? What is their expectation of having a new Website, is it to begin selling merchandise online, advertising, interact with customers, or just to reach out and help people locate them?
Having that information can help you assure that you are designing a site to suit their needs.....

Thanks everyone for your input.
Cheers
Chris

Thanks

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BrainDance

15 years ago

Hi Chris
I don't know if this was covered, but how I evaluate a site need, in no order at all:

What is the purpose of the site, information only,information gathering,selling something? Depending on that answer brings on another whole set of questions of course
How Many products
Who are you trying to reach
What do you expect this site to do for you
I ask to see some sites that they realllly like to get an idea of the style they prefer
I ask for their budget, then compare what they want to what is possible based on the finances.
Do they want to expand the website in the future, if so how
Will they need to update the site themselves, do they have a domain name yet, website hosting,the basics
When is your target launch date
How many people are involved in the project ( i work with churches often and they sometimes have committee of 10 ) I then ask for 2 people max that I need to report to

the options can be endless, but start with the basics and build from there depending on the type of site and the client needs.

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webpagesrus

15 years ago

Originally Posted by BrainDance

[*]How many people are involved in the project ( i work with churches often and they sometimes have committee of 10

) I then ask for 2 people max that I need to report to

Even reporting to two people can be a challenge, I've never designed one for a committee or group yet, that would create a whole new list of problems....Those were good points...

Thanks
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d3sign3r

15 years ago

Originally Posted by webpagesrus

Even reporting to two people can be a challenge, I've never designed one for a committee or group yet, that would create a whole new list of problems....Those were good points...

I once worked for a poker site, and it had 3 business partners but mann they were so picky and so different to each other, talking about their approach and vision.

Too many cooks spoil the dinner.

Thanks

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Chris Whitrod

15 years ago

BrianDance ....spot on, thank you. And the last point about committees, priceless!!

Originally Posted by BrainDance

Hi Chris

How many people are involved in the project ( i work with churches often and they sometimes have committee of 10 ) I then ask for 2 people max that I need to report to

All the best to you
Chris