Many years ago a client finally admitted to me, after 12 months, that they didn’t know what a URL was. I was horrified as I’d been referring to website addresses as URL’s the whole time and she obviously had no idea what I was on about!
Never again. From then on I made a decision to explain things as simply as possible. It’s paid off, one of the most frequent comments I get from clients and prospects alike is my ability to explain things to them in a clear, easy to understand manner. Recently I’ve had a number of people ask me to explain something they were told by another web designer or marketer. When being told what the original person said I’m usually dumbfounded that they would assume what they said would make sense to the average person.
Our role is to walk our clients and prospects through the complex area of web design and online business. It is up to us to make sure what we say is being understood by those we say it to.
Sophie
I’ve not been blogging recently so only just caught this (workload I have is huge right now)… good post mate!
I agree keeping things simpler for a client to understand is a good way forward though I have found that the people who use lots of technical language to “impress” a client (or confuse one) usually charge more than I do…
In my previous job as a gliding instructor I noticed the same type of people too – using lots of acronyms and advanced flying language on novices thinking it would impress them.
I always take pains to explain the web in as simple a way as possible – the most common question I get asked is whats the difference with a domain name and “web hosting” – I explain – usually using a DVD and DVD player as an example (neither do much without the other).
Daz
I agree. It’s not always easy to explain things in “plain English” because the Web is, after all, intensely technical. But if you don’t explain, how do clients know what you’re asking them? And how you know what clients think they’re agreeing to?
Daz, I missed your comment somehow. Sorry. I like your DVD analogy. Heck I may even borrow it. 😉
Diane – you’re right, plain English can be hard. What I try to do is start by telling people to stop me at any time if I’m being too complicated, or the opposite, too simplistic. I find if I make people feel comfortable they’re more likely to speak out when they can’t follow what I say.