Throwing reason to the wind is…
…unreasonable. Why do perfectly intelligent people stop thinking when they hook up with a web designer? Do they think the designer knows them better than they know themselves? Has the designer dreamed their dreams, made their plan, worked their plan and lived with their vision? Of course not.
Web Designers Design
This may be news to some, but web designers design. We try to draw out your vision in email correspondence, listen to your vision over the phone, and if you are a local client, we might even meet up to share your vision over a cup of coffee.
What web designers don’t do – shouldn’t do – can’t really successfully do – is build your vision.
You own your vision.
It is yours.
That is not to say a web designer can’t create an amazing web site within the realms of their own vision; we can. It won’t necessarily be your vision; it would be ours. It wouldn’t be sterile, but it would be full of “us” and not you. Your website or blog should be about YOU.
Maybe that’s what you want. Maybe you aren’t a visual person and you want a site or a blog, but don’t have any hopes or dreams for it. Fine, that can be done. But for the most part, most of the time, clients have something that inspires them, something they want to see happen on their site, something and somewhere they want to “go” with their website or blog.
And that? THAT is what you need to share with your web designer.
Invest in Your Web Design
A good web design is an investment, but not just of money, it is an investment of yourself; your time, your thoughts, and your energies should be focused on digging-out of yourself what you need and want from your site or blog.
I wouldn’t hand over a few hundred thousand to a builder and say “Build me a home. I don’t know what kind of home, not sure whether it should be brick or wood, don’t have any preferences for paint, or anything else. Just make it look nice.” Would you?
Of course not.
You shouldn’t do it with your web designer either.
In the end you will “live with” and “live in” the site you paid for; be invested in the process – make sure it is exactly what you want.
12 have spoken up.
Elda
Cool website. LOVE IT. It looks so snazzy and hip. Did I say cool? ‘Cause it looks cool… Just so you know.
mommyknows
Oh boy, do I ever feel like a doofus! You just described me to a tee!
OMSH
Elda – Thank ya kindly ma’am!
mommyknows – Kim, I KNOW you have vision Momma! Don’t let it be!
Chas
Excellent “build me a home” anology!! As an architect I greatly understand the need to “personalize” a vision, not settle for a grab bag “home”. Your site is awesome and will be coming back for more!!
Chas
OMSH
Chas – Thank you for the feedback. Glad to know it was clear and got the message across.
Glad to have you here!
Nan
You make me want to be a better blogger. :^D Seriously. I’m not just misquoting a movie!
Lori E
You mean it costs a “few hundred thousand” to have a site designed? lol Just kidding.
OMSH
Lori E – Hey, you laugh…but I’m sure it could add up to that depending on the size of your company, maintenance contracts, etc…
I personally have not touched that kind of job – no thank ya – don’t wanna! *wink*
OMSH
Nan – That cracks me up.
Katie
Well said!!! :) I’ve been on both sides of the site fence, and more recently have been on the designer side. Even though I’m new to the field, some of my clients have expected me to take stabs in the dark. Thankfully, I have been able to hit the mark (or they are just being nice since I’m new and cheap – and who can complain about cheap right now! haha!) but I still start to sweat profusely when I just can’t feel someone’s full vibe.
I used to manage a recording artist and when he went to a design company to build his site, it was as if every ounce of his creativity shut down and he couldn’t communicate his vision. I heard a lot of “I dunno” and “Whatever you think.” I about died. And when the designer didn’t hit his mark, they were blamed. What?!?! :)
Great site, by the way. :) I’ll be back! :)
Mountain Woman
Oh, no. I sure hope I’m not the culprit.
Jen
Totally never thought about it that way – the home analogy. One day, when I make more than $15/month off my blog (which goes straight to hosting fees), I will pay some brilliant designer (Hi OMSH!) to build me a site and I will come back to this post. I think I’ll start dreaming up my vision now …
Comment if ya wanna.