Hey again internet world! 👋

As a web designer, I've had my fair share of encounters with clients who weren't quite ready to get their own site or brand out there to the world. Let me share what I've learned along the way, and hopefully you can better prepare yourself for your future home on the internet!

1. The "I Don't Know What I Want" Dilemma:
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One of the most common challenges I face is when clients approach me without a clear vision for their website. They're through the moon about the idea of having a digital presence but struggle to articulate their goals, target audience, or even their preferred color scheme. While I love the opportunity to unleash my creative prowess, it's hard to work wonders when the canvas is blank. It also opens the doors to infinite revisions as I struggle to get down the idea they have in their heads.

2. Content Chaos:

‍Ah, content… The soul of any website’s body. Yet, more often than not, clients show up to the party without their content game on point. They'll promise to deliver text and images but end up sending disjointed paragraphs and pixelated snapshots taken circa 2005, and those can often take weeks or even months to arrive. As a result, timelines get stretched, and the design process grinds to a halt while we wait for the content puzzle pieces to fall into place.

3. The Budget Conundrum:

‍Budgeting is another sticky area where clients sometimes miss the mark. They'll approach me with grand visions of a website that rivals Amazon or Facebook but with a budget that barely covers a cup of morning (or some evenings…) coffee. While I'm all for creativity on a shoestring, it's important to manage expectations and align the budget with the project's scope and complexity.

4. Communication Breakdowns:

‍Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful collaboration, yet it's astonishing how easily wires can get crossed. From missed emails to vague feedback, navigating the cloudy waters of client communication can sometimes feel like trying to decode ancient hieroglyphics, without the Rosetta Stone. Clear channels, regular updates, and open dialogue are essential to keeping the project on track. This is why EntoDigital has custom Client Portals for all clients to keep everything organized and in one place. 😍

5. The Light at the End of the Tunnel:

‍Now, before you start thinking that it's all doom and gloom, let me reassure you, it's not! Despite the occasional bumps in the road, working with unprepared clients has taught me valuable lessons in patience, adaptability, and problem-solving. It's forced me to hone my communication skills, refine my project management processes (the aforementioned Client Portal), and become a better designer and business owner overall.

So, to all the clients out there, mine or someone else’s, fear not. If you find yourself feeling a bit lost in the digital jungle, know that you're not alone. Take a moment to gather your thoughts, define your goals, and gather your content kittens in a basket (sorry, not sorry, I am a major cat fan). Your web designer will thank you, and together, we'll create something truly amazing!

If you have gathered everything or are prepared to start doing so and are ready to get your site out to the world, feel free to reach out for a chat so EntoDigital can get you exactly what you need! 👋

Until next time!

Tommy @ EntoDigital