Website performance and accessibility are crucial factors in creating a successful website. However, clients can sometimes hinder progress by insisting on features that diminish the user experience. This article explores common conflicts between clients and best practices and provides suggestions for resolving them.
One common conflict arises from clients’ desire to impress users. They may insist on using massive images or sliders, believing that these features will promote conversions. However, these features can significantly slow down page loads and may not be accessible to all users.
Another conflict arises from the belief that competitors and peers are always right. Clients may want to replicate features used by their competitors, even if they are not suitable for their own website. They may fear being outclassed or looking bad to potential customers. However, it is important to consider usability and accessibility when making design choices.
Some clients may believe that their preferences are all that matters and may insist on design elements that are inaccessible or difficult to read. They may also want to make changes to their website simply for the sake of change, without considering the impact on users.
To address these conflicts, web designers can have honest conversations with their clients, providing an assessment of the potential problems and explaining the benefits and drawbacks of certain features. Offering better alternatives that achieve similar effects without compromising performance and accessibility can also be helpful. It is important to be patient and allow clients to see the results for themselves, but also to educate them about the importance of performance and accessibility.
While client preferences are important, accessibility should be non-negotiable. Web designers should strive to educate their clients and encourage them to make good choices that prioritize user needs. By doing so, we can create websites that are both visually appealing and user-friendly.
