Comments on: Ann Arbor Web Companies – Sizing Up the Competition http://innercirclemedia.com/blog/2008/08/13/ann-arbor-web-companies-sizing-up-the-competition/ Topics include web design & development, small creative firms, and women in business. Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:34:21 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9-rare hourly 1 By: Andrew Noyes http://innercirclemedia.com/blog/2008/08/13/ann-arbor-web-companies-sizing-up-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-391 Andrew Noyes Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:24:29 +0000 http://innercirclemedia.com/blog/2008/08/13/ann-arbor-web-companies-sizing-up-the-competition/#comment-391 That's baffling, considering web developers work in a world that is fueled entirely by translating the simplistic and abstract demands of a client into something tangible. They don't ask the client if they think that they should apply good design and development principles--that's their job. Your client more than likely doesn't <em>know</em> that they need standards-based design, or that organizational methodologies are applied to interface design. That's why these people hire out for their websites rather than building it themselves. Your questions painted a much bigger picture. The breadth of information that you can by by asking "What is the website supposed to do" vs asking whether or not you should add snippets to the wireframe is drastic. I'm shocked to hear that this is how so many web development companies approach their clients. That’s baffling, considering web developers work in a world that is fueled entirely by translating the simplistic and abstract demands of a client into something tangible. They don’t ask the client if they think that they should apply good design and development principles–that’s their job. Your client more than likely doesn’t know that they need standards-based design, or that organizational methodologies are applied to interface design. That’s why these people hire out for their websites rather than building it themselves. Your questions painted a much bigger picture. The breadth of information that you can by by asking “What is the website supposed to do” vs asking whether or not you should add snippets to the wireframe is drastic. I’m shocked to hear that this is how so many web development companies approach their clients.

]]> By: Ross Johnson http://innercirclemedia.com/blog/2008/08/13/ann-arbor-web-companies-sizing-up-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-288 Ross Johnson Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:43:57 +0000 http://innercirclemedia.com/blog/2008/08/13/ann-arbor-web-companies-sizing-up-the-competition/#comment-288 Confusing a prospect with industry terminology is hardly the way to win any business. In fact, as web developers they should know better as the same rule applies for web copy. Keep it simple and understandable. There are ways to demonstrate expertise beyond simply spouting off technical jargon. If nothing else, a solid portfolio and selection of case studies should show you know what you are talking about... Confusing a prospect with industry terminology is hardly the way to win any business. In fact, as web developers they should know better as the same rule applies for web copy. Keep it simple and understandable.

There are ways to demonstrate expertise beyond simply spouting off technical jargon. If nothing else, a solid portfolio and selection of case studies should show you know what you are talking about…

]]> By: Dan Shields http://innercirclemedia.com/blog/2008/08/13/ann-arbor-web-companies-sizing-up-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-287 Dan Shields Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:27:34 +0000 http://innercirclemedia.com/blog/2008/08/13/ann-arbor-web-companies-sizing-up-the-competition/#comment-287 I think your questions were probably the best to ask at the initial meeting. I would only ask those other questions if the prospective client was wondering about those areas of expertise. My favorite is "Would you like us to assure compliance to usability heuristics?" Why would you ask something like this, isn't it a given if you are a web professional with any type of UX background? I think your questions were probably the best to ask at the initial meeting. I would only ask those other questions if the prospective client was wondering about those areas of expertise.

My favorite is

“Would you like us to assure compliance to usability heuristics?”

Why would you ask something like this, isn’t it a given if you are a web professional with any type of UX background?

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