How to Effectively Explain to a Developer What You Want from a Website

Creating a website is always a collaboration between the customer and the developer. Your task as a customer is to convey your expectations and requirements as accurately and clearly as possible so that the result does not disappoint you. Here are some steps to help you prepare for communication with the developer.

Preparing to discuss the project:

• Define the goals and objectives of the site. Do you need a site to attract customers, an information platform or an online store? Clearly outline what exactly you want to achieve with this site.
• Create a list of the features and functions you want to see. These could be registration forms, social media integration, multilingualism, etc.
• Collect examples of sites you like. Don't just provide links, explain what exactly you like about each of them - it could be the design, structure, or even specific interaction elements.

Creating a technical task:

• Description of the target audience. Who are your users? How do they feel, what are their needs?
• A detailed description of each page and its functionality. What should be on the main page? Which departments? What will each of them contain?
• Design requirements. Color scheme, style, logos - anything that will help the developer understand your aesthetic preferences.
• Mobile version specifications. How important is it for the site to be optimized for mobile devices?

Communicating effectively with the developer:

• Use clear and simple terms. Avoid excessive jargon if you are not sure of its meaning.
• Ask and clarify details. Never leave questions unanswered.
• Be open to suggestions and ideas from the developer. Your developer is also an expert who can suggest the best solutions.

Continuous feedback:

• Regularly check intermediate results. Don't wait for the final product to express your dissatisfaction or agreement.
• Give constructive and detailed comments. The more precisely you explain what you don't like, the easier it is for the developer to make adjustments.
• Discuss all changes in their implementation. This will help to avoid misunderstandings and save time and resources.

Final stage:

• Check all aspects of the site before launch. Make sure everything works correctly and the site meets your original requirements.
• Prepare a list of minor improvements or edits. This will help the developer complete the project quickly.
• Make sure the developer has provided all the necessary documentation and instructions. This is important for further maintenance of the site.

Examples and tips

• Examples of bad and good explanations.  For example, instead of "I want the site to be modern", say "I want a clean design with a minimum number of elements and maximum focus on product photos."
• Tips on visualizing ideas. Using screenshots, sketches, and prototypes will help make your explanations more visual and understandable.

Conclusion

Effective communication with the developer is the key to successfully creating a site that will meet all your expectations and needs. It is necessary to clearly formulate your ideas and requirements, be ready for dialogue and feedback. Remember that the developer not only fulfills your orders, but can also offer solutions that will make the product better. Openness of proposals, attention to detail and constant control over the development process will help to avoid many mistakes and ensure high quality of the final product. Be an active participant in the process, and your project will shine brightly against the background of others!