Comments on: Responsibilities of a Web Designer http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/ Tips and Commentary on Web Accessibility, Usability, and Search Marketing best practices. Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:28:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: merlia http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23255 merlia Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:56:40 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23255 Being as a web designer, always be confident that you could probably do anything that is out there. When you have your first meeting with your client, give a lot of suggestions and be honest about how you feel on certain things. Make sure that your client gets an impression that you know the stuff. Also important there should be a proper planning always to finish up your work quick and easy.... Being as a web designer, always be confident that you could probably do anything that is out there. When you have your first meeting with your client, give a lot of suggestions and be honest about how you feel on certain things. Make sure that your client gets an impression that you know the stuff. Also important there should be a proper planning always to finish up your work quick and easy….

]]> By: Joe Dolson http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23237 Joe Dolson Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:29:36 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23237 <blockquote> I am constantly amazed by the web design communities approach to their customers. Many seem to only care about getting the project completed, making money, and moving on. So few take a partnership approach. They just do not seem to care if the service actually benefits the customer. </blockquote> It's so true...it's really pretty remarkable --- you're right, it's both site owners and designers who frequently fall into that trap. The "quick and easy" is almost always worth the time and effort you put into it. (If you know I mean...)

I am constantly amazed by the web design communities approach to their customers. Many seem to only care about getting the project completed, making money, and moving on. So few take a partnership approach. They just do not seem to care if the service actually benefits the customer.

It’s so true…it’s really pretty remarkable — - you’re right, it’s both site owners and designers who frequently fall into that trap. The “quick and easy” is almost always worth the time and effort you put into it. (If you know I mean…)

]]> By: Boris http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23232 Boris Sat, 03 Nov 2007 19:45:48 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23232 I am an SEO guy. I am constantly amazed by the web design communities approach to their customers. Many seem to only care about getting the project completed, making money, and moving on. So few take a partnership approach. They just do not seem to care if the service actually benefits the customer. When I work with a website I take their success very seriously. I start with an initial consultation that covers the good , the bad, and the ugly. My approach is this: If I SEO a site, an bring increased traffic, the site should be ready for those new visitors. So I take the time to point out usability and design issue that go way beyond SEO. Many times it's as simple as including a call to action at the bottom of the page. I feel that if the site is inferior and not ready for prime time then why bother with SEO. I charge a reasonable fee for this consultation. I often end up not working with these sites, because the owners are looking for an easy fix and are not willing to do things the right way. At least they walk away with a clear plan that is designed to bring in traffic that may actually have a chance at turning those visitors into customers. I wish more people in the design an SEO industry would be more ethical. I want my customers to have the best possible chance to succeed. If they succeed then I will because they will tell others. It just blows me away how so few seem to take this approach. I am an SEO guy. I am constantly amazed by the web design communities approach to their customers. Many seem to only care about getting the project completed, making money, and moving on. So few take a partnership approach. They just do not seem to care if the service actually benefits the customer.
When I work with a website I take their success very seriously. I start with an initial consultation that covers the good , the bad, and the ugly. My approach is this: If I SEO a site, an bring increased traffic, the site should be ready for those new visitors. So I take the time to point out usability and design issue that go way beyond SEO. Many times it’s as simple as including a call to action at the bottom of the page.
I feel that if the site is inferior and not ready for prime time then why bother with SEO.
I charge a reasonable fee for this consultation. I often end up not working with these sites, because the owners are looking for an easy fix and are not willing to do things the right way. At least they walk away with a clear plan that is designed to bring in traffic that may actually have a chance at turning those visitors into customers.
I wish more people in the design an SEO industry would be more ethical. I want my customers to have the best possible chance to succeed. If they succeed then I will because they will tell others.
It just blows me away how so few seem to take this approach.

]]> By: Joe Dolson http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23231 Joe Dolson Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:14:35 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23231 Borrowing "bits" will usually keep you safe. Fair use does apply --- small portions of a larger work are something where you're likely to be OK. Still, you've got to be careful... And clients sometimes just don't KNOW where their media elements came from! The biggest security risk is somebody with all the access and none of the understanding of the risks; that's definitely where this "education" thing really needs to come into play! Thanks, Mike Borrowing “bits” will usually keep you safe. Fair use does apply — - small portions of a larger work are something where you’re likely to be OK. Still, you’ve got to be careful…

And clients sometimes just don’t KNOW where their media elements came from!

The biggest security risk is somebody with all the access and none of the understanding of the risks; that’s definitely where this “education” thing really needs to come into play!

Thanks, Mike

]]> By: Mike Cherim http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23230 Mike Cherim Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:50:37 +0000 http://www.joedolson.com/articles/2007/10/responsibilities-of-a-web-designer/#comment-23230 Good post Joe. I, too, think about these things. Security is a biggie for me. I try my best to keep their stuff secure. When I set up a blog, for example, I activate a back-up plugin, harden it two ways immediately because it needs it, and then I teach them how to use it recommending they do so after every post. Ditto with email security, and any other possible content printed or collected data. Regarding site WWW performance, I give them the tools and teach them how to use them, and then I also make sure to inform them that success doesn't happen like magic and that they must promote their site, and provide quality, on-going content. That's a big reason why I like delivering WordPress... it helps me make what they need to do possible and simple. I do take responsibility for all else. Redirects, error pages, accessibility, robots... they get it all. I'm not a corner cutter. I would never touch their data or visitor data. Once they site is theirs it's in their hands and I am gone; unless I am hosting, maintaining, or both, then I go to great lengths to ensure they are safe and sound on an on-going basis, and that everyone's privacy is always protected. It's good to know about the legal side. It's not something I have to worry about, though it makes me think I should insist clients buy/supply imagery used in backgrounds and site decorations. I make a lot, but I do borrow bits at times, only bits mind you, but I'd rather not have to do that at all. Good post Joe. I, too, think about these things. Security is a biggie for me. I try my best to keep their stuff secure. When I set up a blog, for example, I activate a back-up plugin, harden it two ways immediately because it needs it, and then I teach them how to use it recommending they do so after every post. Ditto with email security, and any other possible content printed or collected data.

Regarding site WWW performance, I give them the tools and teach them how to use them, and then I also make sure to inform them that success doesn’t happen like magic and that they must promote their site, and provide quality, on-going content. That’s a big reason why I like delivering WordPress… it helps me make what they need to do possible and simple.

I do take responsibility for all else. Redirects, error pages, accessibility, robots… they get it all. I’m not a corner cutter. I would never touch their data or visitor data. Once they site is theirs it’s in their hands and I am gone; unless I am hosting, maintaining, or both, then I go to great lengths to ensure they are safe and sound on an on-going basis, and that everyone’s privacy is always protected.

It’s good to know about the legal side. It’s not something I have to worry about, though it makes me think I should insist clients buy/supply imagery used in backgrounds and site decorations. I make a lot, but I do borrow bits at times, only bits mind you, but I’d rather not have to do that at all.

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