Web sites are a relatively new invention in the world, and today there is often a huge discrepancy between what the designer-and-programmer team knows and understands and what the client knows and understands. Below is a list of big and little things about working with clients and if you follow these guidelines, both you and the design team you’ve chosen will have a more positive experience.

Don't judge a designer’s sense of style simply by what you see in their portfolio samples. If you don't see exactly what you envision for your site, don't immediately discount them. Look for clues that will reveal their design potential and aptitude:

Have they demonstrated a range of styles from project to project? Have they paid attention to detail and made good design decisions on their other sites? Does your designer ask questions and demonstrate a desire to learn about your company's mission and your own perspective? Do you feel that they “get” your concept? Does the designer seem willing to work closely with you to achieve a solution that satisfies the requirements of you and your customers? Or do they insist on having complete design control? Have you heard the word “usability” come out of your designer's mouth? Do they know what it means? Do you know what it means?

Make sure you take the time to understand your design team's development process and ask questions when you don’t. You should receive a written document outlining the payment terms.

You have to review and respond to work done by your designer. You may also be providing text and photographic content. If you don’t help them meet their deadlines by being there when they need you, you can't expect them to finish your project on time.
If you begin the web process with a designer or firm, stick with it on a timely basis through completion. They have reserved time in their schedule and probably assigned additional employees to work on your project. If you choose to “drop out of sight” for a while in the middle of your web project, don't expect your designer to be ready to resume immediately when you decide you’re ready again

If you are providing text and photographs for your designer to use in your site, make sure you have carefully selected, edited, and proofread your content beforehand. Don’t expect your designer to make substantial edits free of charge.

Be prepared to learn about what can and cannot be accomplished with the web. When the designer explains the differences between print and web design, listen to them!
Understand the various features the designer team may need to implement in order to build your site appropriately. Creating a form is very complex. It needs careful planning and often a specialized programmer.

Be frank about what you like and don't like about the development plan, site architecture, or design ideas your designer has created for your review. Don’t half-heartedly approve of something you don’t like. Your designer needs to hear your honest feedback right away so they can make changes that will satisfy your concerns. Also the creative ideas your designer recommends might have merit and sense.

You should get a development plan and schedule in writing. The development plan should include exactly how many pages are to be created; any features that will need programming; specialty services such as original illustrations, video, music, or professional photography; any automated features; interactivity; etc. Do not expect to add pages or features later without extra cost!

There are so many variables and possibilities and there are often so many additions and changes along the way that the only chance of maintaining clear communication is in writing, so if it ever becomes necessary to mediate an issue, you won't have to argue about what you said and what designer said and what everyone thought everyone else actually meant.