Communicating Effectively with Your Web Developer - Encourange or Go Over His Head When Necessary

Encourage him when he does something you agree with.

Sometimes, a web developer will catch on to the plan very quickly. When he does, give encouragement. Everyone likes to feel appreciated. It’s a simple thing to say, “I really appreciate how you added those alt tags to all the images on the product pages,” or “You really have a knack for content that’s full of relevant keywords.” A little goes a long way. This can also help you. By trying to find the positive things in your work, you will find that work is less stressful, and people are far more productive when they are less stressed and more positive.

Go over his head, if necessary, but be cautious.

No one likes a tattle-tale, but ultimately, you have a job to do, too. If the web developer is behaving in such a way as to make your job completely difficult, or is totally disregarding your advice on important aspects of the site, then more drastic action might be necessary. If you and the web developers work for separate companies, you might be able to appeal to your client, but do it in such a way as to not tear down the developer. He is there to do a job, as well. You should simply show your client how ways he is developing the website may conflict with the job you are being paid to do, and how it could mean more work for your client later on, or how the website design might affect their position in the search engine results pages.

Your client may feel if you are talking about the developer in a negative way, that you may talk about them that way as well. At best, it is unprofessional. Simply give your concerns to your client, and the possible consequences of you’re not being able to perform your job functions, such as poor performance in search engine results pages, and let your client handle it from there. Be ready to offer back up suggestions.

If you work for the same company as the web developer, then do not drag your client into the middle. Rather, go to your boss, and seek out a suggestion there; you may even be able to go to the web developer’s superior. Just remember, by doing such, you will probably not make any friends with the web developer.

Just remember, you are a professional SEO, so anyone one else not in the field may not be as enlightened as you are in the area of optimization and search engine friendly site design. But you don’t have to fret if the web developer does see things exactly from your perspective. As long as you stay on top of things, you should do just fine.