---

I came across this article talking about feature creep in website design.

I usually call it scope creep but no matter what kind of creep you call it, its not a good thing.

Here is the delima. you as the designer are anxious to win over a new client so you agree to do the project for a budget that seems fair.

but as the project moves forward, the more and more the client may ask you to do. At first they may be simple request that aren’t that hard for you to do then other times they can grow outside the scope of the original project. You may feel compelled to do them being you want to win over the client and encourage referrals and repeat business. But if you don’t protect your self, you may get someone who try and get the most out of you they can, and if they do refer you anyone the referrals will expect the same.

As a designer I believe we should stay customer service oriented, and be apart of the solution and not the problem, and penny pinching over every single client change that comes in, in my opinion is not being helpful. This is why I would rather offer a retainer-ship relationship with my clients who have needs that grow their budget, this way they buy blocks of time, that get billed at actual time spent “time and material” basis.  This way you can change the design of the website every day if you want, as long as there are hours in the bank.

But if it is a per project arrangement its important to outline all that the project will include and point out when a request comes in wasn’t originally agreed on. In some cases clients may be trying to get the biggest bang for their buck and in other cases they may not know what is a small change versus a hard one, and they might either say “nah” that change isn’t needed after all or would gladly pay the additional money to have the change done.

As a professional graphic designer it is your job to advice them of this process. Its a difficult balance but you need to be willing to help, while protecting yourself.

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/how-to-deal-with-feature-creep/

This entry was posted on Friday, December 11th, 2009 at 4:06 pm and is filed under Design Resources, Design Tips For Clients, Starting A Design Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Previous: | Next:

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

No Pun
Graphic Design
Services:

Online Offline &
all points in between
Logos
Website Design
Brochures
Business Cards

Direct Mail
Email Marketing
Motion Graphics
Posters
Powerpoint Presentations
Search Engine Optimization
T-Shirts
Promotional Knick-Knacks
Indoor & Outdoor Signage
Print Ads
Sell Sheets
Stationary
Vehicle Wraps