How To Talk A Client Out Of Animated Gifs?

[chuckmalani]

please help, im new at the whole freelance thing. i have a client, and from my contact, i heard that the owner wants his logo to have some simple animation in this. as far as i know, animated gifs on websites are "unprofessional". I also think that flash in this case would be overkill.

 

i have been doing my own websites and sites for friends for a while now, but this is the first time where im getting paid to do what someone wants. usually my friends give me carte blanche, so i tell them how it is...

 

any ideas on how i can convince my contact to talk his boss out of it? should i speak w/ the owner directly? is there a "list of negatives" besides that it looks unprofessional? I definately don't want to insult him by saying that his ideas are unprofessional.

 

thanks in advance,

 

chuck

[Lianna]

Professionalism is not a single line drawn in the sand. There are varying degrees of professionalism and display thereof. Same with animation. There are tastefully done animations that don't overpower the site and there are others that are just plain obnoxious (which are usually on a page with a ton of other obnoxious ones ).

 

Take a look at the animation that the client is proposing and then see what suggestions you can make to improve it. Or, find a few sites that display the 'better part' of animation to show as examples for your client. (I'm assuming here that they are providing you the graphics, and they are not of your own design.)

 

That's my take.

[surefire]

but this is the first time where im getting paid to do what someone wants.

 

You said it yourself, you're getting paid to do what they want.

 

Now, if what the client wants is offensive to your notions of professionalism, then don't take the job. You have to be ready to walk away from business but you also have to know what you are willing to do and what you absolutely won't do.

 

Personally, adding an animated gif doesn't seem like a deal breaker to me... but that's me.

 

I would handle it by (1) talking with the decision maker from the get go so I don't have to build the site twice and (2) explaining to the client that you will build what they want, but you have an opinion about what works and what doesn't. Give your opinion and then let them decide. Don't be offended if your opinion doesn't sway them.

 

And I'd stongly consider you to leave out the whole thing about professionalism... that's a good way to offend someone. If the owner is smart, he/she doesn't care one lick about professionalism and cares more about whether the site you build generates leads or revenue effectively. So, if you think the gif is going to cost the owner lost revenue, then say so. If you think it's cheesy and ugly, then I'd create a static version for them to compare versus the animated.

[TCH-JimE]

Hi,

 

At the end of the day, you do what the client wants. Its always the way, the client not only knows best, but is always right. Design the site how they want it. If you have time, you can show them AFTER the site has been built other ways. Some animated gifs do infact look very good so its not all bad news.

 

Jim

[surefire]

I have to add another two cents here. After reading Jimuni's post, I had to add this.

 

If you take the job... both parties should know and understand what to expect.

 

If you don't like the job... don't take it.

 

If part of the job is to create a site that might not be what you would create for yourself... but you're doing it in return for compensation... then do it.

 

Have it very clear in your mind whether you would rather be 'right' and poor... or if you can put off feeling 'right' for a little while.

 

The way these things are handled should be discussed from the beginning. You should find out if part of your job is to give your opinion on things... or if the client just wants someone to do his/her bidding. IMHO, either one is fine with me... so long as everyone understands the rules of the game.

 

I have run into plenty of potential clients that I knew would expect the world for nothing, pay slowly, and complain often. Some money costs too much... if that makes sense. Fire a bad client if you have to. But it's better to avoid a bad client if you can.

 

A truly bad one will suck the life out of you and cost you business.

 

I don't want to sound negative... most clients are awesome to work with. But all it takes is one to ruin your month.

Edited July 22, 2003 by surefire

[Lianna]

If this helps, my standard line:

 

I am a consultant.  I would be remiss in my duties if I did not offer you my full expertise and experience.  You may chose to take it or leave it.  In the end, I will have given you my 'opinion' and you will give me the directive.

[Samrc]

I like that Lianna!!! Sounds very unemotional, professional, yet experienced and wise! It also does not critique the customer's idea and possibly wound an ego.

 

I also agree wholeheartly with the statement:

Some money costs too much... if that makes sense.

The heartburn and cost of the rolaids necessary to work on some accounts is not worth it.

 

-Samantha