After you’ve met with your designer to go over the basics, they will take a week or two to start designing a sample for you. The only information they have to work with is what you told them in the meeting or in your artwork questionnaire. Sometimes, that information might not have been enough. Sometimes, the wires get crossed and the design doesn’t turn out exactly how you were imagining.

Don’t get discouraged. Don’t get angry. It’s time to get down to work and figure out exactly what you need to do to get your message across to them and get a design that meets your needs.

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1. Be Specific

This is the most important piece of advice in this article. That’s why it’s at the top. When giving feedback to your designer, whether you love it or hate it, you have to be as specific as possible. Don’t beat around the bush or use vague language. They are pretty talented designers, but they can’t read minds.

Use specific and descriptive language. Rather than saying that it doesn’t have any “wow factor.” Try defining for yourself what a “wow factor” would be. Is it missing more color? Does it need more images? What exactly are you looking for? If you can’t answer that for yourself, then how can your designer answer it?

2. Find a Concrete Example

This point is related to the previous point. Like using descriptive language, try to find a concrete example or what you’re referring to. If you are saying that the page lacks color, point to a specific section. There may be color all over the page, but if you’re looking for a colorful font, then that’s your concrete example.

Likewise, if you are saying that the page isn’t playful enough, you might point to the font. The blocky font might feel too professional. Use that as your example of a more playful page.

You can have more than one example of a point. You might point to both the color choices and the font when saying the page needs to feel more playful.

3. Look at Other Websites

When you’re drawing a blank, find inspiration from other websites. Your website isn’t the only one on the internet. Find another company in your industry that you like (or hate) to be the example of what you’re looking for (or not looking for).

If you want a town and country feel for your restaurant website, you might look at other restaurants or even home décor websites for a similar town and country feel. You can also go shopping! Find an actual lamp or rug that inspires you and captures the feel of the website you are looking for.

You can look through our portfolio of websites for help finding inspiration too!

Some veterinarian offices have a very professional look while others have a more playful look. Find examples of both to represent what you DO and DO NOT want for your website. Send the links (with descriptions!) to your designer to help them understand what you are thinking.

4. Remember Photos and Words can Change

Ask yourself, are my critiques of the photos and content on the page? Our designer frequently uses stock photos and dummy content to showcase what your website COULD look like. Remember, this content is easy to change whenever you want before and after it is live.

Photos and words are easy to change. In fact, it’s so easy to do that we’ll train you to do it yourself when the website is finished.

Critiquing images and content early on in the process can slow down our timeline. Your first image of the website will just be a preview of what the finished product COULD look like. You’re primarily looking at layout, colors, fonts, and overall design. If you have any questions about elements that can be changed or moved, ask! We’ll be more than happy to help.

5. Ask Questions

Design is hard. Web design is harder. If you have questions about the process or about your website, just ask! We have been through this process hundreds of times, but sometimes we forget that this is your first time. If you need us to break it down a little further, or if you need us to explain the process again, feel free to ask.

To get started with your new web design project, call Techno Goober at (302) 645-7177 or contact us online for more information. We look forward to working with you. Remember, your website is often your business’s first impression on a potential customer. Make it a good one.

Learn more about web design and how to provide feedback to your designer with our Beginner’s Guide to Web Design.