How do you handle stakeholders who prioritize aesthetics over functionality in website redesign discussions?

To handle stakeholders: Educate on Usability: Explain the importance of usability for user experience and business success. Show Data: Present data and case studies demonstrating how functionality impacts user engagement and conversions. Compromise Solutions: Propose design options that balance aesthetics with essential functionality. User Feedback: Share user feedback and usability test results to highlight functional issues. Prototyping: Create prototypes to show how functional designs can still be visually appealing. Iterative Process: Suggest an iterative design process to gradually blend aesthetics with functionality. Highlight ROI: Emphasize the return on investment that a functional, user-friendly design can bring.

Start by helping stakeholders understand that user experience (UX) is like the engine of a high-performance vehicle. While a sleek exterior attracts attention, it's the engine’s performance that truly drives satisfaction and loyalty. Use analogies like comparing a website to a well-designed kitchen: it should be visually appealing but also highly functional, ensuring that users can easily find and use what they need. Highlight that a website must blend aesthetics with functionality to create a smooth, enjoyable experience that keeps users engaged and coming back.

To guide stakeholders who prioritize aesthetics in website redesigns, tactful education is key: 1. Simplify the technical: While stakeholders may not grasp all technical details, they understand the significant impact on business goals. 2. Focus on goals: Explain that a website's design should help users complete tasks like purchasing, filling forms, or finding information. User-friendly designs boost engagement, conversions, and business results. 3. Acknowledge and educate: Appreciate their passion for aesthetics and demonstrate that functional websites can also be beautiful, just like a "BMW M5"—where performance and sleek design coexist seamlessly, but by keeping the user experience first in mind.

1. Listen and Understand: Acknowledge their priorities and concerns. 2. Educate: Explain the importance of usability and how it affects user experience and conversion rates. 3. Show Data: Use analytics and user feedback to demonstrate the benefits of functional design. 4. Collaborate: Propose solutions that balance aesthetics and functionality with wireframes or prototypes. 5. Align with Goals: Connect functionality to business objectives like SEO, user satisfaction, and conversions.

To navigate this tactfully, focus on the bigger picture. Frame the discussion around achieving business goals and explain that a beautiful website that doesn't convert visitors is like a dazzling storefront with a broken door. Back your arguments with data on how user-friendly websites (UX) can significantly boost conversion rates. Remember, the website should cater to user needs! A well-designed UX guides users towards desired actions, like making a purchase. The good news is, achieving a win-win is possible. Striking a balance is key. Acknowledge the importance of aesthetics – a visually appealing design creates a positive first impression – but emphasize that functionality keeps users engaged.

I've faced a room of stakeholders, their eyes gleaming with visions of flashy designs. "Why do we have a site?" I asked. Blank stares. I pulled up their current site's data: -80% bounce rate -2-minute average visit -1% conversion Then, I showed a competitor's sleek, functional site: -30% bounce rate -7-minute average visit -5% conversion Suddenly, aesthetics took a backseat to results. "Beauty attracts," I said. "But function converts." They got beyond the pretty pixels to profitable interactions. Lesson learned: Data doesn't just inform decisions; it transforms perspectives. Let your numbers speak!

Don't just tell stakeholders a user-friendly website is better, show them! Back your arguments with hard data on how user engagement metrics, like time spent browsing and conversion rates, soar with good website usability. Think of it this way: a visually stunning website is like a dazzling storefront, but if users can't find the door or it's difficult to navigate inside, those sales conversions won't happen. Studies consistently show a positive correlation between user experience (UX) and metrics that matter to businesses.

Provide data and case studies that show how functionality impacts user engagement, conversion rates, and SEO. Share statistics and user feedback that highlight the benefits of a functional design. Data-driven arguments can be very persuasive.

I always listen to my clients' preferences and then add my expertise to their ideas. If I need to change something they want, I explain why. Similarly, if I design something they didn't ask for, I share my perspective. I believe that when clients are happy, they promote their products or services with pride and effectiveness.

Actively listen to stakeholders’ concerns and preferences. Understanding their perspective helps in finding common ground. Validate their input to show that you value their vision and are willing to integrate it into the functional framework.

Proposing solutions is one of my favourite thing to do. I always prefer a good solution over aesthetics following end users mind. Every end user like aesthetics but they mean functionality. It depends on type of project always. For example if website is about graphic designer it should show aesthetics if website is about a lawyer it should directly show the achievements and main purpose.

Propose solutions that integrate both aesthetic and functional elements. Show mockups or prototypes that demonstrate how a balanced approach can achieve the desired visual appeal while maintaining usability and performance.

Here a website process build comes in handy. I usually make sure to take my clients through what I call a map out. This has example designs, interactions and explains the function of each section clearly. This way you don't spend too much time on designs that the client hasn't approved and the functionally aspect has been considered and communicated.

To successfully negotiate priorities with stakeholders who favor aesthetics over functionality in a website redesign: 1. Prepare: Gather data on the impact of UX on success and define clear website redesign objectives. 2. Open Dialogue: Actively listen to stakeholders' aesthetic preferences and emphasize shared goals. 3. Negotiate: Use a prioritization matrix, offer trade-offs and compromises, consider a phased approach. 4. Communicate & Collaborate: Utilize visual aids, conduct user testing, and clearly explain your reasoning. 5. Maintain a Positive Attitude: Stay calm, professional, and focused on finding win-win solutions.

Engage in a constructive negotiation to prioritize features. Discuss the potential trade-offs and benefits of different design choices. Aim to reach a consensus that satisfies both aesthetic desires and functional needs.

Start by acknowledging that aesthetics are important in a website redesign and try to understand the main motivation behind the stakeholder's POV: is it to adhere to personal opinions or to protect the brand identity? Each has its own path: Personal opinion? Recognize the validity of those opinions and compliment on the person's expertise. Either test or show data that proves a better direction. Protecting the brand's identity? Recognize that it's a must and get to the specifics of what are the elements that absolutely must be preserved or elements that are missing. Test incorporating them and compromise, or negotiate a first test launch without them to see if performance is higher.

After educating stakeholders on the importance of user-centric design and its impact on business goals, we should determine priorities: must-haves, nice-to-haves, don’t-wants, and educational opportunities. Must-haves are non-negotiable requirements crucial for success. Nice-to-haves are desirable but not essential, allowing for compromise. Don’t-wants are elements stakeholders prefer to exclude, avoiding unnecessary or detrimental features. Educational opportunities involve informing stakeholders about UX design and best practices. Categorizing and negotiating priorities helps manage stakeholder expectations, foster collaboration, and maintain focus on project goals.

Implementing feedback is crucial for refining and improving the project. Here are key steps to ensure effective feedback implementation: Provide regular updates on milestones, decisions, and changes. Leverage expertise: Recognize that stakeholders and lines of business know their products/services best. Listen to their needs and expectations. UX-centric solutions: Propose solutions that align with user-centric design principles. Involve stakeholders in design reviews, user testing, or focus groups. Actively listen, build trust, and navigate conflicts to ensure a successful, well-received project.

Incorporate stakeholder feedback into the design where feasible. Demonstrating that their input has been considered and implemented builds trust and fosters a collaborative environment. Ensure that any aesthetic adjustments do not compromise the website's functionality.