Web Design Client Tips

As a private (invitation only) web designer, I usually have (always try) to leave an impact on my client that is so great.. they remember me whenever they need a new theme or web design. Your main goal as a designer should be to provide quality, with a design worthy of your price. The same goes for copywriters, if you can write compelling sales copy that brings home more than $1000 (on average) regardless of niche.. why on earth would you charge $800 per letter? Below; I want you to journey with me outside of "the box" and hopefully inspire you with some tips that will really leave an impact with your web design clients..

Please note: always consider the terms of source PSD's/ stock photos, as you don't want to get your client in trouble. If you have paid for a font, that doesn't usually give you the right to send it to a client for free.

Over Delivering

Nothing screams "quality" more than over delivering! By over delivering for your web design clients you will build trust, and loyalty which is crucial for any business.

1. If your next project is a logo, why not take little extra time to also create a matching business card. Doing a quick Google search for "business card Photoshop action" should sort you out.
2. The same goes for themes; creating a bonus favicon for free will always leave a feeling of surprise, and from your clients view.. a sense that you really took the time to make them happy.
3. offer at least 1 free revision.
4. Offer instant messenger for daily progress updates.
5. Complete the project earlier than your client expects. Can be easily done by over estimating completion time. Ethical?
6. Provide PSD source files as a bonus.
7. Provide different font alternatives. "I thought it may be useful for you to also have this logo in Helvetica.."
8. In a zip file titled "bonus", include different colour variations of the project.
9. Grab a free copy of Audacity & CamStudio, some related music, background image, throw it all together and create a 20 second intro video with the project logo, and/or theme colours. Upload to YouTube with the correct, related niche tags, and send the URL to your client. 30 minutes work for possible repeat business.
10. . Do loads of research and back-up your findings with the source. ie.. If you have been assigned to create an "Add To Cart" button. you can search for "Add To Cart Button split test results" and include the results/url/source with the final project button.
11. Cross check your work in the popular browsers (Chrome, IE, FireFox etc..) and provide screenshots to your client.

Here's the HIGHEST converting button (split tested by 43SplitTests.com)..

Repeat Business

If a good job is done great, than repeat business will count towards the most income/profit for any web design freelancer. Word-of-mouth referrals will be second in the list. And that's why it is so important that you over deliver with with any of your client expectations. Remember.. having the lowest price does not necessarily mean the best deal; Would you go to the qualified, trusted heart surgeon with an hourly price of $8000, or the back alley mid week special for 200 bucks? lol.

1. As soon as you receive payment for a job well done, consider sending a physical "thank you" note/receipt to your clients address. Be sure to include your business card with telephone number, Twitter, and Facebook address for easy contact.
2. With the "thank you" pack, include a loyalty card with a discount code (say 10% off next order).
3. have 200+ business cards printed with the project logo, and/or theme colours, and send to the client. Business card deals are very cheap but this will soo leave an impact.

Having happy, repeat clients is gold. Also, you can always offer a higher discount in exchange for joining your mailing list. Can you imagine the power of having 200 happy clients double opted-in to receive your emails? Let's say you send out 1 mailing every month promoting your latest design deals, and assuming only a measly 2% take you up on your offer, that's 4 jobs every month with only 200 subscribers. Bare in mind these are highly targeted, happy customers that aren't shy of giving you their payment details so 2% is very low but will still have you rushed off of your feet each month

With most blogs, the golden nuggets can sometimes be found in the comments, so please add your tips below.

Louis