10 Questions A Freelance Web Developer Should Ask When Starting With A New Client

When you first start working with a new client, there is a lot to get your head around. You are not quite sure about what they want, how they want it done, or even if they are going to be satisfied with the results.

But one thing is clear: you do not want to waste time and money on an ill-fated project that never quite comes together.

And while there are lots of things you can do to avoid these pitfalls — like setting clear expectations for both parties or being communicative throughout the process — there are also some critical questions to ask your clients before you get started.

In this blog, we will look at some of the top discovery questions you must ask your client before project initiation.

Is there a definitive plan for the project?

If you’re looking to bring a project to fruition, it’s important to have a plan in place right from the very beginning. One of the most crucial parts of that plan is one that outlines business objectives, satisfies customer needs, and covers those things which will make the project a success.

When working with a client who has a commercial product or service, they will likely have some detailed plans of how they want to move forward. This could be broken down into separate parts so that everyone involved knows just what is being done and how it should be finished.

So, before taking on a new project, try to assess if the client has an overarching goal, a clear audience they are targeting, a list of features, a budget, etc to evaluate the feasibility of working on it.

Do you have a timeline in mind?

According to a report by Project Management Institute, organizations end up wasting 12% of their valuable resources due to poor project management.

Once you have a better understanding of the client’s plan for the project, i.e., the goals, features and a general outline, you want to get an estimate of the timeline they have in mind for project completion.

Once you have a tentative date shared with you, you may want to break down the entire process into shorter, manageable milestones. These could include-

A functional website user interface
Web development (theme or custom-coded)
Testing once the design and content are in place
Final touches

Asking this question is paramount to the project’s success and for both parties to be pleased with the collaboration.

Are there any specific features that are more important than the others?

In case a project doesn’t get finished, there is a still certain set of deliverables that will often be required. This is because the client may want all the features and functionality they might eventually need if they continue the project in the future.

Since the product owner who oversees these endeavours will most likely want to release a product at some point, you can offer a minimum viable product – something that has just the basic functionality needed and no more to create a functional service or be able to use it as part of their continuous development process.

And in order to do this, you should deliver the features which are necessary to build the most basic version of this system – to allow the client to eventually build on it.

What assets will I be provided with?

Building a site may seem like an easy task to some, but most people don’t realize all of the factors that go into it. There is a lot more to making a site for your client than just the coding — you have to take into account what your intended audience needs from the site and how you’re going to present that to them.

For example, when selecting fonts, you need to be mindful of readability, especially on smaller screens. Additionally, if the brand is already using a particular font, you will have to stick to it. In case it is a paid font, get the open files from your client.

Likewise, there should be a practical design that helps guide users along the web pages properly. It’s also important to be provided with web copy that helps visitors absorb the brand message and stay longer on the website.

You also have assets such as images or videos — both of which can be very useful, either showcasing products for purchases or picture galleries of events.

These assets are very important to discuss before starting a project since they all contribute to a phenomenal website.

Is this a brand new application or does the existing application need to be reworked?

The idea behind this question is to get you thinking about the technical know-how as well as the amount of work required to migrate from the original system to your solution.

If the client informs you they already have an existing codebase, and they’re looking for some way to reuse it for their new development, then you should consider whether you have the experience and skills to work on their existing system before taking the job. If it’s coded in a language or technology unknown to you, it’s best to offer an alternate solution.

Further, the answer to this question will help you evaluate the number of days you’ll take to bring it to completion.

Who will my POC be?

One of the strategies for effective communication for a new project is to have a single point of contact so you know whom to reach out to in case of queries, follow up with and get approvals from. It makes your job a lot easier and it can be a lot less stress on your part and allows you to focus more on the work itself.

Is the scope of work fixed or will it be dynamic?

As a freelancer, it’s important to understand the different types of projects and how best to approach them. A fixed scope of work is typical of more structured projects, which are easier for freelancers to estimate because they know what to expect.

However, if a project is dynamic and the work can evolve, it can be a bit trickier to estimate. Scope creep poses a problem for freelancers who take on this type of project. The challenge is that even though the project is likely to be an hour to a day of work, the time can end up taking weeks to complete because of all the added requirements provided on an ad-hoc basis.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to ask the client how they envision their project developing and if they can offer any insight into their process.

What’s the budget for the project?

When it comes to starting a project or building a website, the price is something you have to consider before you begin. Many people don’t take the time to consider the budget of a project and start off on the wrong foot. For example, you may have a great idea for a feature on the website but the client doesn’t have the funds to make it happen. Executing it and not knowing about their budget is a recipe for disaster!

While many people can’t put a price point on their dream website, it’s important to recognize what a realistic price is. Talk to the client about the budget of a project before you get started and you’ll both save time and avoid conflict.

Is the domain name and host in place?

There are tons of steps that go into web development, and many of them depend on the domain name and host of your client. For one, you need to purchase the domain name and host so you can get the site up and running. It will help you evaluate the final costs and solve any issues that may come up. This might seem like an insignificant task, but knowing this information can make the process go a lot smoother.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Use this question as an opportunity to let the conversation flow freely so the client can share important project details that weren’t tapped into earlier or for you to provide a better solution when they share their idea.

Their openness to being flexible, sharing valuable information and other important insight such as their USP in contrast to their competitor will provide you with a better understanding of the client’s and your ideologies, values and personalities mesh. Based on this information, you may provide your final answer.

Final thoughts

While you might be excited to get started on a new web development project, these commonly asked questions are critical to avoid future miscommunication and misaligned goals or worse — the much-feared pay delay.

With these questions in your arsenal, you will be on your way to creating a mutually satisfactory project experience.

What’s more, if you want to enjoy an unparalleled freelancing experience with top clients, sign up on Ellow — a global marketplace that connects freelancers with clients to create superlative projects together!

Jisha Panicker

Jisha Panicker, the Head of HR at ellow, a platform specialising in tech recruitment, brings with her over 10 years of experience in diverse aspects of HR. Learning agility, resilience, and grounded optimism are the three distinct qualities that have proven instrumental in her success. She is a fitness freak, an occasional reader, and loves dancing and driving.