I was asked to create a website for a friend who runs a sign-making business about two years ago. Before that, I had built a site for myself and one for my wife’s flower business, but those were very much “in-house” projects where I could work at my own discretion. This new request was something completely different: my very first client project turned out to be a series of unexpected challenges.
The Difference Between In-House and Client-Oriented Work
When I create a website for myself or my family, I can decide on the design and structure on my own with minimal discussion. However, it’s not that simple when working with a paying client. It’s no longer just about which technologies I, as the developer, want to use; it’s crucial to understand the client’s vision and requirements as well.
In the case of this sign-making business, the site needed the clarity and credibility typical of a corporate website, along with a clear path for inquiries. There was also talk of using the site for customer acquisition or possibly selling stickers. Since I didn’t have much experience with robust e-commerce systems, we ultimately opted for a straightforward corporate-style site that included a contact form, showcased previous projects, and linked to social media channels.
Vague Requests and Differences in “Common Sense”
The first major challenge was that the client’s requests were quite vague. They had only an abstract idea of wanting a “good website,” which meant I had to translate that into concrete proposals.
I also noticed a gap in our assumptions about design. The sites I used for inspiration were different from those the client considered comparable. For instance, when I showed them a sample layout featuring photos with rounded corners, they immediately said, “We don’t need rounded corners.” In the sign-making industry, images typically aren’t rounded—this was their norm. Meanwhile, many modern, globally influenced sites I follow often use rounded imagery.
It was only after sharing a prototype and getting feedback that these small yet important differences came to light. If someone simply says, “Make it look nice,” without more detail, it’s easy to end up with a mismatch. This underlined the importance of proactively suggesting, “What do you think of something like this?” backed by tangible examples.
Creating a Prototype and Getting Early Feedback
To give shape to the client’s initially vague requests, I first built a simple demo site for them to review. This step made it much easier to share ideas and prompted feedback like, “This part is off,” or “I’d like this changed,” which led to clearer, more concrete requirements.
At the same time, I learned that showing too many reference sites upfront can result in an unfocused patchwork of “all the best parts.” In the end, spending extra time to build a custom sample site specifically for the client turned out to be more efficient and led to smoother communication overall.
Key Takeaways and Future Applications
Throughout the process, I came to a crucial realization: clients often don’t start with a fully developed vision. By providing a prototype, gathering feedback, and refining in small steps, we can gradually arrive at the final goal together.
When I worked on my own or for family, I was free to make decisions on my own terms. But with a client, obtaining approval at each stage is essential. While that can be time-consuming, I discovered that this collaborative process is precisely what produces a truly polished result.
Moreover, the framework I created for this sign-making website can serve as a versatile template for future projects. Having already navigated how to build a relatively straightforward yet effective corporate site is a valuable asset for upcoming work.
Conclusion
My first experience building a website for someone else presented many unexpected hurdles, but I learned a great deal from each of them. By collaborating and iterating, my client’s ideas became increasingly specific, and we both felt genuine satisfaction with the outcome.
Going forward, I’ll continue honing this process so I can deliver even smoother service and better support my clients’ objectives. I’m looking forward to further developing my skills and creating websites that truly meet each client’s unique needs.
Here’s the sign maker’s website I created: https://www.motiisigns.com/