Why a Pre-Design Questionnaire makes Sense for a new Client/Designer Relationship

One of the biggest details that can lead to a Client and Designer having a happy, professional relationship through the Design process.  Can you as a Designer get the concepts that your client envisions? Can your client be assured that you are envisioning the concepts much the same way that they do? Is there a way to help bridge the communication gap?


There is a simple, one document solution to the questions raised, a Pre-Design questionnaire.  A Pre-Design Questionnaire, while a fairly simple document, covering the general basics of what should be going into a Website Project.  But, in actuality it goes beyond that.  With something as simple as a two page document, that your client can download and print, you as a Designer can actually have a large amount of information on hand, before you even start the design layout.  That information can include

-Desired Budget
-Desired (or Confirmed) Domain name and extension
-Site Concept
-Number of Pages
-Color Scheme
-Types of Content
-Keywords (Important to the start of strong Search Engine Optimization)
-Formatting and Embedded Elements
-if Your client plans to maintain the Site themselves after completed

Including a Design grid image, like the one below, also will let your Client get a general idea of how things can be mapped out in a working area of 1000 pixels wide.  This way you, as a Designer, have the modern version of a "Napkin Sketch" to work with when you sit down to start framing out the client's project

Design Grid for Websites- Feel Free to Download and Use