Need Suggestions for Client

[IslaScotts]

Ok... now that I own my own web design business I am delving deeper into client support/client education. I specifically do not do website content... i.e. writing their stuff for them. I have conveyed textually and verbally what their front page needs to say. Such as what their business is (what they're selling) and answer the questions the searchers (target audience) would have to pull them deeper into the site. Like:

The 10 Myths of ________
One such myth is that blah blah blah.... etc etc. Another myth is blah blah blah. Found out more myths by clicking here.

That sort of thing.

My question is:

Does anyone know of some good explanitory sites about this or any example websites I can direct my client to and say "this is what your front page should look like" or something that I can visually show her? This particular client really only understands things visually. BTW if you have a site that has a really good front page that I can direct clients to, I would be more than happy to give you a link on my client portal website.

[DaveyBoy]

Can't you create an example to show them? It would be re-usable too for other clients I guess.

[IslaScotts]

I could... and I thought about that... but I wanted real world examples. I wanted to show her the array of what works out there already. She learns best by real world examples... it's how i convinced her to go with a more professional site instead of a more personal looking site. She saw my professional design and hated it because she didn't understand without showing her concrete examples. I am just trying to help her out in a way she can understand is all.

[JamieJelly]

what is the message they are trying to send? What functionality is the website providing for customers/prospects?

There is no template for this kind of thing... not if you want to do it properly

[IslaScotts]

No I know there isn't.. thats why I was hoping people would give me an array of links of sites they think represents what a front page of a website should look like. I could troll the internet for a few hours looking for something to show her.. but I was kind of interested in what other people thought. I have already told her what it needs to encompass, I already know what is best for her site. But I am trying to view and incorporate other peoples point of view.

[RobS]

Whats HER target market Isla?

[IslaScotts]

She is targeting retreats and grief centers. She is a counselor that offers personal counseling and workshops on grief, wellness, spirituality, and meditation.

[A.N.Onym]

I have an article about developing a homepage. Not sure if it'll help.

Why don't you just mock up a homepage about widgets or with lorem ipsum?

[IslaScotts]

I'm DOING her entire site.... my services do NOT include writing content. I am not getting paid by her to do mock websites to show her things. I am getting paid to design her website. It is designed and I want her front page to represent her company in the best light to her clients. She is visual and I would like to point her to various webpages (whether or not their business is anything like hers) and say: This is what your front page content should include. These are the kinds of things that draw people into their site... etc. etc.

[A.N.Onym]

Well, then my article might have answered such questions partly.

Obviously, the homepage should do the following:
- present the most valuable unique benefit to the visitor
- show what the site has to offer to reap the benefit
- provide alternative links (click paths) to more resources (related pages) on the site

For her site, I'd suggest the following:
- list of what a visitor can get from her (learn how to meditate, how to relieve stress, etc)
- links to pages about the services
- links to other related resources on the site (popular articles, recent blog posts, etc)

[IslaScotts]

I already advised her of those exact things, but like I said before. She is very visual and no matter how I explain it or the number of times I explain it she will not understand unless I show it to her. In fact I just got an e-mail from her listing a few sites asking... is this what you are talking about? And it isn't. But I appreciate your response none-the-less ESPECIALLY because it is exactly what I told her... it let me know that I am doing right by my client and I am giving her the best advice I can. So thank you for showing me that I am at least doing the best I can for her.

[littleFella]

Originally Posted by IslaScotts

She is very visual and no matter how I explain it or the number of times I explain it she will not understand unless I show it to her.

Then why don't you show her a protoptype of hat you mean?
Am I missing something?

[waffles]

http://wafflesradio.com/archives/14 and/or http://wafflesradio.com/

I know it's a blog, so use it as you will. That first post is stuck at the top.

First paragraph explains that this is a radio show that you can listen to.

Second paragraph says that my show is really awsome.

Third paragraph explains how the shows are put together and a short version of the story on why I'm doing the shows this way and not just a random collection of songs.

Like I said, use it as you will because it is a blog. Maybe that won't suit your purposes. Maybe it will.

[IslaScotts]

Originally Posted by littleFella

Then why don't you show her a protoptype of hat you mean?
Am I missing something?

Yes, you are missing something.

[A.N.Onym]

Well, then tell your client to get a copywriter. Or create an example yourself (about anything else). If your site has this content structure, you can show it to her, too. But I guess you knew this already, eh.

Here is one copywriter I like.

[IslaScotts]

Thanks.. I found two examples online that have hopefully showed her what it should be.

[waffles]

Hopefully she'll listen. I'm glad you found something.

[IslaScotts]

Originally Posted by waffles

Hopefully she'll listen. I'm glad you found something.

Yes, thanks. Hopefully (fingers crossed) she will understand.. I used sites about depression... i figured grief counseling can relate to depression sites.

[suzjor]

Hi Isla,
Sometimes I send my clients to a template website to give them some idea of other website designs. I just explain that for them, we will create a custom website tailored to their needs as well as what their clients are seeking. But a lot are very visual and just want to see other websites.

Like you I don't do any writing. I have a worksheet online that I get them to complete and fax to me which guides me in creating the pages, etc. I also request that they send me complete text for each page via Word.

[IslaScotts]

Thanks but the design has been completed for a while, I just needed help on what to show her for text. But it is solved now (i think.)