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72 Questions to Ask New Web Design Clients

March 1, 2010 in business

How many times have you hung up the phone after a chat with a new prospective client and then immediately slapped your forehead and said “I can’t believe I forgot to ask ______!”. Yes, fill in the blank. You have done this, right? If not, you will shortly. Well, I jotted down my own personal list of forgetful-questions, and did a quick survey of the top 20 results for “questions to ask new web clients” and related searches. Aside from semantic fluctuations, there was zero overlap: we all ask the same stuff. So I present below the best 72 questions to ask prospective web design clients, along with a PDF chart.

72-Questions-to-Ask-Your-New-Web-Design-Clients 72 Questions to Ask New Web Design Clients

The list of 72 Top Questions to Ask New Web Design Clients

  1. How does your company handle email?
  2. Do you need any password protected areas?
  3. Do you have the Pantone numbers for your current company colors?
  4. Did you take a look at our portfolio?
  5. What is your time frame?
  6. Is this a brochure site, or a blog?
  7. Who is your audience?
  8. Do you have any specifications?
  9. What are the website addresses of your competitors?
  10. How many other companies have you talked to?
  11. Do you need a business card and letterhead?
  12. What is your main message?
  13. Did you or someone else register the domain?
  14. How familiar are you with search engine optimization and best practices?
  15. What are several websites you like?
  16. Do you currently have a website?
  17. Do you or anyone on your staff have Photoshop or other image editing software?
  18. Do you need search engine help?
  19. Does the site launch need to coincide with a product launch or any other important milestone?
  20. Do you need a content management system?
  21. How long have you had a website?
  22. Do you have photos you need to use?
  23. Will several people be editing the site?
  24. How many pages do you need?
  25. Do you have a catalog or brochure?
  26. How do people find your current website?
  27. Do you have a newsletter?
  28. Are you in touch with the orginal designer?
  29. Do you have access to the web server?
  30. What are several websites that you like the look of?
  31. Do you have control over the domain?
  32. Do you need any other promotional material?
  33. How familiar are you with usability studies?
  34. How important is search engine ranking to you?
  35. Is there any specific functionality you need?
  36. Will you be providing creative direction?
  37. Do you have your content done?
  38. Will your IT person be involved?
  39. Do you have a logo? What format is it in?
  40. How familiar are you with graphic design best practices for web designs?
  41. What is your current hosting company?
  42. Have you been through the complete web design and development process before?
  43. Who are your competitors?
  44. How often do you need to update the site?
  45. Describe the style of website you are looking for?
  46. Is the original developer still available?
  47. What is your budget?
  48. What is compelling about working with us?
  49. Do you need an image gallery?
  50. Are you are anyone on your staff familiar with HTML and CSS?
  51. Is your logo in Illustrator format?
  52. Do you need this to integrate with your existing identity pieces?
  53. How are you going to maintain the site?
  54. What software do you have?
  55. How did you find us?
  56. Did you read any of our blog?
  57. What bugs you the most about websites?
  58. Do you need any other graphic design help?
  59. Do you need social media tools built in, like Digg, Facebook, Twitter, Stumble Upon, etc.
  60. How familiar are you with web standards and web design best practices?
  61. Do you need the website to tie into any particular 3rd party applications?
  62. Do you need a contact form?
  63. Do you have a domain?
  64. Do you have any proposals from other design firms?
  65. How important is customization to you?
  66. Will you want or need help in making changes? If so, would you need help routinely?
  67. What do you need your website to do?
  68. Do you need ecommerce?
  69. Have you considered redesigning your logo?
  70. Do you have hosting?
  71. Have you considered taking a fresh look at your corporate identity? This a good time to consider refresh or an entirely new identity.
  72. When is the last time you updated the site?

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Ruinart
Jul 28, 2010
No: 8 / ID: 6593

Hello, I think this list is very helpful for everybody who hires.


Douglas Bonneville
Jul 27, 2010
No: 7 / ID: 6583

“…there are some duplicated questions”

No, there are subtle variations and are not the same questions. A questionnaire that covers everything would be too big for a client to fill out. This list is supposed to be a brainstorming tool, or something you keep in your client folder for before or during the first few meetings, or just near the phone: something to jog your memory, not something to give the client! We always forget *something* and this is a tiny remedy in a way.


diseño web madrid
Jul 26, 2010
No: 6 / ID: 6568

WOW a list. I’m going to translate it into spanish and use it on my site. Thanks a lot.


Knowtebook
Apr 08, 2010
No: 5 / ID: 5969

Hey Emre! This is Sebastian. I agree. I checked them twice now and could reduce them to about 40. On the other site I have to say that a different written question gives me a different view.


Emre Nusret
Apr 07, 2010
No: 4 / ID: 5964

Not so awesome at all, there are some duplicated questions. I prefer to send a questionnaire with less questions. Thanks for sharing anyway.


ganesh
Mar 17, 2010
No: 3 / ID: 5839

hi, This is really vey useful topic. Thanks


ToughTomato Web Design
Mar 11, 2010
No: 2 / ID: 5783

AWESOME!! What a great list, often I miss out such things when speaking with clients. Thanks a lot!!


pinkymaria
Mar 02, 2010
No: 1 / ID: 5723

Hi buddy!!!

Really these questions make me aware about good website design tips..thanks many..meet again.

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