As a brand and website designer, there’s nothing more frustrating than seeing a project you’re passionate about drag on endlessly, with clients seemingly taking forever to respond and losing control of the entire process…

but, don’t point your finger at your clients just yet! Take a step back and consider if you’ve done enough to set the right tone and expectations for the project.

If this is consistently happening with multiple clients time and time again, it’s probably something within your design process that needs to be fixed in order to support your clients in getting you what you need to do your job.

In this blog post, I’m breaking down some reasons why your clients may be stalling brand and website design projects and what you can implement to ensure smoother and more efficient collaborations.

You can also tune in to Episode 105. on Behind the Design Podcast where I dive deep into why your clients are stalling website projects and what you can do to fix this!

01. Lack of Client Education on Brand Design:

Most often, clients embark on a brand design project for the first time without being familiar with the creative process, what to expect, or when certain deliverables are due. They’ve made the investment in your services, and view you as the expert, so they’re counting on you to lay the foundation for what’s to come!

Setting the tone and informing your clients about the process in the beginning, will help them understand the value of your work and the importance of their active participation.

02. Implementation: Create a Project Timeline

Establish a clear and detailed project timeline that outlines the various stages of the project, from initial concept development to final delivery. Share this timeline with your clients during the onboarding process, so they have a roadmap of what to expect and when to provide their inputs and feedback.

You can check out all of our project onboarding templates HERE. These are templates I swear by and use for every client project!

03. Clients Feeling in Charge:

Let’s be honest, the clients that you’re working with are likely business owners themselves, and when they sense disorganization or a lack of direction, they’re instinctively going to try to take charge and make decisions. To avoid this situation, it’s crucial to assert your expertise from the beginning and establish yourself as the project lead.

04. Implementation: Conduct Onboarding Calls and Emails

Use an onboarding call or email to clearly communicate your role as the project lead. Explain that while you value their input and collaboration, you will guide them through the process to ensure the best possible outcome. By setting this tone early on, clients will feel more comfortable relinquishing control and trusting your creative vision.

05. Client Confusion and Unclear Responsibilities

Clients may struggle to fulfill their role in the project if they are unclear about what is expected of them. When clients are asked to provide necessary content and timely feedback, it may seem straightforward to you, but not to them – keep in mind, they’ve hired you as the expert in this area for a reason, so some additional education and guidance will likely be required to keep actively involved in the process!

Okay, now how do I fix these problems?

Implementation: Create a Client Task List and Weekly Follow-ups

To alleviate confusion, create a simple and concise client task list that clearly outlines the information and materials you need from them at each stage of the project – this helps in breaking down the process more so it’s less overwhelming to the client, but also gives them an overview so they can see what’s to come.

I also encourage you to establish a routine of weekly follow-ups to check on their progress and address any questions or concerns they might have. Consistent communication will help keep the project on track and demonstrate your commitment to a successful outcome.

Taking control of your brand and web projects is not about exerting dominance over your clients but rather about providing them with the guidance and support they need to navigate the creative process effectively.

By proactively educating your clients, setting clear expectations, and maintaining open lines of communication, you can overcome stalling issues and ensure a smoother, more profitable collaboration for both parties.

After years of trial and error, I have finally perfected the client experience through my client management process. To dive deeper into this, check out Episode 105: Stop Clients From Stalling Website Projects With These Tactics, where we explore three essential elements missing from your design process that can help overcome stalling issues and enhance project success.

Together, let’s empower our clients and create a win-win situation for everyone involved!