You’ve hired a web designer to create a website for your business, and they’ve sent over their first draft. Upon looking it over, you realise it’s not quite what you envisioned. Now what? Getting on the same page with your designer can take some finesse, but following these steps can help you steer the project in the right direction. The key is maintaining open communication and providing constructive feedback. With some collaboration and compromise, you can work together to create a design you’ll be happy with.
Write a Professional Letter Outlining Your Concerns
The first thing you’ll want to do is draft a letter to your designer explaining what you’re unhappy with in their first draft. You’ll also need to let them know you will be requesting changes-you can learn how to write a request letter here. Keep the tone polite and professional. You want to maintain a good working relationship, so avoid accusatory language.
State the aspects of the draft you’re not satisfied with. Be as specific as possible. For example, say “The colour scheme feels too dark and sombre for our brand. We were envisioning something brighter and more cheerful.”
Offer constructive feedback. Don’t just point out what’s wrong; instead, give suggestions on how it could be improved. You could say “The dark background detracts from the photos of our colourful products. A lighter background would make them pop more.”
Refer back to your original design brief or any examples you provided. Note if the draft deviates from your initial vision. Remind the web designers what you were aiming for.
Suggest a phone call or video chat to discuss your concerns and how to move forward. Choose synchronous communication over more emails to have a productive dialogue.
Thank the designer for their work so far and express your desire to collaborate on revisions that meet your business needs. End positively by reiterating you look forward to finding a design you’re fully satisfied with.
Have a Productive Discussion About the Revisions You'd Like to See
After sending your letter, schedule a call or video chat with your designer to have an open conversation about your feedback. Make sure to pick a time you can both dedicate your full attention.
Start off by emphasising the fact that you appreciate the thought and work they’ve put in so far. You just have some revisions in mind that you believe would take the design in the right direction.
Go through your letter point-by-point to clarify and elaborate on your concerns. Give the designer a chance to ask questions and understand why you feel certain aspects aren’t working.
Collaboratively brainstorm solutions. Don’t just present your ideas – ask the designer for their input as well. Aim for an exchange of perspectives.
Be open to compromise. There may be aspects you’ll need to flexible on if the designer has good reason for their choices. Listen with an open mind.
Agree on the revisions and timeline moving forward. Be reasonable about what can be accomplished in the next round. You want quality over speed.
Wrap up by thanking the designer for their time and willingness to incorporate your feedback. Express your renewed confidence in the project and working relationship.
Provide New Examples and a Direction for the Next Draft
Now that you’ve verbally discussed how to improve on the initial draft, follow up by providing additional examples and direction in writing.
Send new website examples, colour palettes, fonts, logos or other visual references that illustrate the look and feel you want.
Clarify any aspects of the site’s purpose, messaging or functionality you want to emphasise or modify based on your call. Provide more details on what should be changed.
Set clear expectations for what the next draft should include in terms of revisions. List any new pages, content or features to be added.
Give guidance on elements to retain from the original draft. Note aspects you were happy with or only need minor tweaks. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.
Offer to provide any new graphic elements, written content, photography or other assets the designer might need to execute the revisions you want.
Set a timeline for receiving the second draft that works for both of you. Leave adequate time for the designer to make impactful changes.
Thank the designer for being open to your feedback and for working together on the refinements you requested. Express your continued enthusiasm for the project.
Provide Timely Feedback on Subsequent Drafts
The process won’t be complete after just one additional draft. Be prepared to go through a few rounds of revisions until the site meets your approval.
When each new draft is sent over, make time to thoroughly review it and provide your feedback within the agreed timeframe. Timely feedback will keep the momentum going.
Focus your comments on changes made since the previous draft. Avoid dredging up aspects you already addressed earlier. Move forward.
Acknowledge improvements made based on your suggestions. Point out areas that are coming closer to your vision.
Note any new concerns with recent changes made. Remain collaborative and constructive in your feedback.
Ask about anything you find unclear in the draft. Give the designer a chance to explain their thought process.
Bring up any new ideas you have for enhancing the site as it develops. But avoid major changes late in the process.
Thank the designer for continuing to incorporate your feedback. Express your appreciation for their effort and responsiveness.
The web design process often takes a few rounds of revisions before both parties are fully satisfied. As the client, you play an important role in clearly communicating your vision and providing constructive feedback at each stage. By following the steps above, you can steer your designer toward creating a website that brings your vision to life. The key is maintaining an open, respectful dialogue in which you both feel heard and aligned. With collaboration and compromise, you’ll achieve a design you’re genuinely proud of.
