As a website designer, it is important that you have your client’s objectives clearly in mind right from the start of each project. That way, you can work closely with the copywriter to shape the site correctly to produce the desired result. With a clear plan, you’ll save time, cut down on re-working, and be able to work more confidently as you develop the site.

With this in mind, the first question you should ask your client is: what IS their end goal? Many clients will have a clear objective in mind, you will encounter others who really aren’t sure. They just know that they “want a website”, but won’t understand the role it can play in their business. When you strike this situation, spend time talking to your client to help them to unpack their ideas. For example, do they want to sell products online? Is the site intended to generate leads? Or, do they want to gather up subscribers for a newsletter, so they can build a list for further marketing?

As well as being good for your client, getting clarity on this is very good for you too as a professional website developer. It means you are setting an expectation for the service you will deliver, and this in turn means you are setting the stage for a higher client satisfaction level once you deliver. It moves you up a level from just being the person who ‘created a nice website’. Furthermore, when the website has clear goals for business development, it adds value to the site as an important part of your client’s marketing strategy. This, in turn, means that you are able to charge a premium for your services.

Clearly, each client will have slightly different ideas. But guiding them towards a website that is based on direct response principles is nearly always the best plan. Some people will struggle to understand this, ESPECIALLY if they have only used offline advertising in the past, where it is difficult to measure results. In the online environment, response is much more measurable. With the right copy and design, you can motivate people to take immediate action.

One thing to keep in mind as a web developer is to balance the graphic design aspect of the site with the text content. You must remember that content is of vital importance, both to actually sell the product or service, and to make the site more appealing to Google and the other search engines. This is becoming increasingly important, ans Google places more emphasis on content-rich websites when determining relevance for rankings.

With regard to content, you could provided an added paid service of writing the content for the sites you build. You will add value for your client, and this means that your fees will increase. If you develop 25 websites a year, and make an additional $1,000 in copywriting fees on each one, that is an additional $25,000 a year income for your business. It is good for your clients, and good for you!

Having a clear plan for each website you build is very important, and will elevate you to being a web designer who delivers a much higher level of service from those who ‘simply build a website’. It will position you as being interested in your client’s overall business success, and will help you to build a strong following of loyal customers. It will also mean you’ll get more referral business, so you can build a solid foundation for a strong, successful career.

Jerry Crockford has more suggestions for you about Website Design at Brisbane Web Designers. And, for information and inspiration on persuasive web copywriting, this page on persuasive website copywriting is very helpful.

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