Client/Developer Collaboration

The Main Points of Contact

Rick Mess       |        August 14, 2020

The creation of any web project, be it landing page, website, or online store, requires cooperation and rapport between the client and the contractor. It doesn’t mean staying in touch 24/7, nor does it mean getting in touch spontaneously and from time to time. Our experience shows that a well-structured contact schedule is essential for smooth and fast project completion, and it also makes client communications much more pleasant. Time is an invaluable resource that shouldn’t be squandered.

A structured contact schedule is the key to correct execution, quick work, and mutual satisfaction. To save time, we would like to help our clients understand the main points of contact. In other words, let the clients know what stages of a project require their active participation.

Website development stages

Creating a project is a sequential process comprising a number of key stages. Points of contact are directly linked to stages of development. Until we are absolutely clear on one stage, we cannot move on to the next. Each point of contact enables you to supervise the process by evaluating the work in progress, making edits, offering recommendations, and expressing your wishes regarding any further developments.

Development stages of a landing page

1. First Point of Contact: Start

To bring your idea to fruition, we need to get a thorough understanding of the concept. If you only have a vague idea of what your project’s goals and tasks are, if you aren’t sure what exactly you need, we will need more time and contacts to collect the necessary information.

To speed up the process, we advise our clients to fill out a brief. It’s the first step toward understanding the tasks ahead for both parties, and an important point of contact. In simpler cases, a brief is usually sufficient, but more complex projects require a Technical Task. It will let you control the work in progress. The TT clearly states your goals and requirements for the project. Developers will not begin working on the website until the TT has been signed. This is the stage where deadlines and project costs are negotiated.

Technical Task for Your Website. Who Should Do It and Why

2. Second Point of Contact: Content


Ideally, content should be prepared before website development even begins. In this case, all negotiations at this stage are swift and easy. However, in reality, content is often uncollected, unstructured, or unfinished. If you cannot provide all the information or wish to fill the website with content yourself, we negotiate the expected volume of content so that we can prepare the layout accordingly. In any case, discussing and agreeing upon the content will require your involvement.

3. Third Point of Contact: Approving the Design

This is another stage where prompt feedback is crucial. The better we understand your goals and vision for the project, the faster we can adjust and materialize your concept exactly as you imagined it.


We always offer 2 or 3 fully realized design layouts for you to choose from. You will need time to decide and discuss the chosen prototype option and its further development.


Approving the final design also has its key moments. Obviously, all people are different, and some are more open to talks than others. But it’s essential to keep in touch at critical moments so that we can reach an agreement on every stage. Naturally, we’re happy to update you at any time, but understanding what is and isn’t important saves you and us a lot of time and hassle. Without your approval at these key moments, we cannot move on to the next stage. Delaying feedback negatively affects project deadlines, as do endless edits that can result from a lack of productive contacts.
The coding and programming stage normally does not require any client input.


To create a landing page, we just need the three main points of contact. In a larger and more complex project, we would need more contact, since the project may include market analysis, building and testing an MVP, as well as testing and launching the finished product. As a rule, such projects take a long time, so points of contact are scheduled depending on the volume, complexity, and completion deadlines.

Summary


It’s impossible to create an efficient and properly functioning project without well-coordinated feedback. To realize your concept, we must keep in touch and reach an agreement at least during the three key stages. This will enable us to complete the project on time or even earlier, leaving both you and us happy about the result and productive communication.


Always open for contact,
Your Outcrowd Team.


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