When designing for the web, keep in mind that you are not
designing a printing project. That is why what appears good
in your website is not necessarily the same as when it is
printed.

If you are the designer, this is what you should explain to
your customers. You will be doing them a big favor in
letting them know early on that what they have in their
layouts will not be the same when it is put on their
websites.

Although there are programs that ensure website design to
look as close to print as possible, they do not duplicate
it exactly. So what must you do when you are faced with
this kind of situation?

The solution is to work with your customers. Not just for
them but by them.

Realistic expectations. Since you are the designer and you
know better, share what you know. Tell your customers
upfront that you cannot exactly create what they want if
they seem too unrealistic for you.

Educate them on the web design considerations such as
maintenance and download speed. These factors are more
important than the fancy graphics and other elements they want
in their site. It is your task to explain these things to them.

Have your customer set up a portfolio. Your customers should
have a portfolio they should give you. But they should know
that what they have planned out in their portfolio is not
really what they will see in their websites.

Even if there are talented designers who can come close, they
will not really put the exact portfolio into the designs. And
creating one good design is also not a representation of your
skills. That would be seen later on when the site starts
working.

Know what software and applications your customers are using.
They not be the same as yours. This is very vital when making
your designs. The pages will look way different when you do
them in the applications you have when your customers have
another.

When building web pages, the things mentioned above are very
important. You will see its effectiveness once you test it
with any browser available.

Nothing like having a website that has one consistent and
polished look whichever way you see it. It should not look
good on a certain browser and look bad on another.

Article Written by Florie Lyn Masarate.