4 Tips For Providing Your Web Designer With Helpful Feedback
If you have contracted a web designer, or web design company, to build a website for yourself or your business, there will come a point in the process (or possibly several points) when they ask you for feedback. This can be a daunting task if you’re not used to evaluating websites! But you don’t have to be a pro to give relevant, constructive feedback. Use the following tips to help you out!
- Start with colour
The first thing a person (i.e. prospective customer) is going to notice when your webpage first loads are the colours, which will immediately evoke specific emotions – this means that your colour palette is so important! What is your initial gut reaction when seeing the mixture of colours the web designer has used for your site? Do they make you feel happy? Confused? Are they professional or fun? Do they convey what you’re hoping to achieve, and do they match your brand? Is there too much, or to little? Your instincts will help you out here – don’t ignore them.
- Content structure and flow
When your homepage loads, take a look at what you can see before you scroll any further. This will be the first elements that your customers see – is there a Call To Action button where they can quickly and easily access your products or services? Is the navigation clear and simple? Is it immediately obvious how they can contact you? Is your logo prominent? And does it all look well-balanced and in line with your brand? If you’re happy with what you see, start scrolling. Does the order of elements make sense? Is there a section that introduces your brand or business? Is there a featured products section? Apply this reasoning as you navigate the rest of the website – what is your user experience? Take notes on anything that seems clunky or out of place.
- Images
Images are such an important visual medium on websites – they can convey so much (or so little) to your users, so you want to make sure the imagery your web designer has chosen tells the story of you and your brand! If your web designer is using stock photography, have they chosen well, or does it look like they’ve just used the first thing they’ve found? And if you have provided images, do they look good, and have they been used in the right places?
- Animations and other functional design aspects
Look closely when you load a new page on your website – has your designer used subtle animation to draw your eyes towards certain elements? This can be a great way to add interest to your site – but make sure they haven’t over-used (or under-used) animation effects. And on top of this – does everything on your website work functionally? Have you tried using the contact form? Does your e-commerce store work well? It might take some time, but it’s worth it in the long run to iron out any issues you might have with how your website is working.
Sometimes the web design process can be frustrating, and it can seem impossible to communicate your ideas. The important thing is to remain patient and don’t make it personal – your web designer wants you to be happy with the final result (and will be hoping for a good review!). It’s a great idea to meet your web designer in person before you start the design process or sign any contracts, to build trust and get a feel for them as a human being (and they, you!). If things don’t feel right – look for another designer before you hand over a cent. Don’t pay thousands of dollars to the first person you meet – take the time to be thorough to avoid heartache in the months to come.