Re: Is the customer always right?

It's not really about who is right or who is wrong, mainly because that's
pretty subjective.  It's about what works best, education,  knowledge,
collaboration, trust, and creativity.

One of the things I see over and over again, in my primary business is
people complaining about web designers for a variety of reasons.   Actually
yesterday someone said to me that their web site was 4 months late and
wasn't what they asked for either!  It was however what the web designer
choose to do.  As someone who has built a few sites, maintain my own,  and
work with web designers, I understand both sides of the situation pretty
well.

Unfortunately, most people, like the one you're dealing with,  who are
looking to have websites designed don't do much research - even basic
research.   Business branding and colors are pretty basic.  The colors, font
type, etc.  of your business would be the colors you use everywhere,
including your website.   Yet it's not up to the designer to spend the time
teaching clients everything that  they know, either!

Before you read on, know that I am on your side when it comes to the areas
you mentioned in your note.  That said,  if someone wanted colors or things
I thought weren't in their best interest, which has happened to me, I would
send them a few links to articles and then do what they requested.  However,
I'd make sure that I have 50% of their money already and a signed contract!
I'd include that additional changes would cost "x" dollars per hour, too.
The bottom line, to me, is that some of what you and the client don't agree
on are easy to remove or change...  color and entry page for example.
Other things are just a matter of choice.

On a shameless plug note....
Because I see this type of situation happening all too much, and the
frustration it causes both the client (usually another business person) and
web designer, I am writing a eprogram to help.  It will contain information
on the basics of web design that to me, all clients must know in order to
have their needs met... and will contain information that they can use to
collaborate with their web designer of choice to have the best website for
them, too.

However, in the meantime, check out the articles I've written about color
and trustability at www.coachmaria.com/articles.html  They're under
marketing, then Internet.  Feel free to send the links to your clients and
research other links, too.  Some web designers are placing links to articles
at their websites to "educate" their potential or current clients a bit,
too.  In the long run it helps everyone out!

Maria Marsala
www.CoachMaria.com
Business and Life Coach

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