In the early days of my web design career, I learned a tough lesson: not setting clear expectations with clients can cost you time, money, and sanity. Deadlines, a structured revision process, and a clear scope of work are key to a smooth project. Here’s how setting expectations from the start saved me from headaches and project delays.

Why Setting Clear Expectations Is Crucial in Web Design

Not setting clear expectations with clients can lead to endless revisions and project delays. Learn how clear communication improves project success and saves you time.

The Hardest Lesson I Had to Learn in Web Design

When I first started out in web design, I made a critical mistake that cost me a lot of time, money, and headaches. I didn’t set clear expectations with my clients.

At the time, I thought I could just “wing it” and handle things as they came up. But that approach led to some serious issues.

What Went Wrong

❌ No Deadlines
Without deadlines in place, projects would drag on forever. Clients didn’t know when to expect the final product, and I didn’t have a clear timeline for delivering work. This left both of us frustrated and unsure of the next step.

❌ No Structured Revision Process
Clients often asked for endless changes. Because there was no set structure for revisions, I ended up going back and forth, making small tweaks over and over. This wasn’t just time-consuming—it was exhausting.

❌ No Clear Scope of Work
Not clearly defining the scope of work led to scope creep—small tasks and requests kept piling up that weren’t part of the original agreement. This meant I was working more hours than I had planned, but not getting paid for them.

The Result?

Endless revisions. Scope creep. Delays. And a ton of frustration on both sides.

Clear Communication = No Headaches

After learning this lesson the hard way, I decided to change how I approached every project. Now, clear communication is the foundation of all my web design work.

Now, every project starts with:

✅ Clear deadlines - so everyone knows when to expect deliverables.

✅ A structured revision process - so clients know how many changes they can request.

✅ A defined scope of work - to keep projects focused and on track.

By setting expectations upfront, I avoid scope creep, endless revisions, and the dreaded “project dragging on forever” scenario.

Recap: Communication Is Key

The hardest lesson I had to learn in web design was that clear expectations prevent frustration. Without a defined scope, deadlines, and revision process, projects will spiral into chaos.

Set expectations early, communicate clearly, and enjoy smoother projects with happy clients.

Your Designer

I’m Mikkel Calmann, a certified Squarespace designer and Circle Member. I’ve worked with businesses of all sizes, crafting strategic websites that look great and perform even better. If you’d like to discuss a project, feel free to email me at mikkel@typza.com or reach out to me here. You can also book a free 15-minute consultation here.