“That’s Not What I Meant”: Communication Failures in Web Projects [EN]

A client asks for a simple, modern website. The developer delivers exactly that. And yet, at the end of the project, the client says: “That’s not what I meant.” This talk explores why communication between clients and web professionals so often breaks down, even when both sides have good intentions. Clients may not have the technical knowledge or vocabulary to clearly express what they need, while developers, designers and agencies may assume they understand the request without uncovering the real problem behind it. Drawing on more than a decade of working with WordPress, digital marketing and non-technical clients, as well as teaching workshops where participants learn how websites are planned and built, I will highlight the most common communication gaps in web projects. We will look at how vague requests, technical jargon, unspoken expectations and unclear responsibilities lead to frustration, scope problems and websites that may be technically correct but fail to solve the client’s actual problem. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for asking better questions, clarifying expectations, explaining complex topics without overwhelming the client and making sure both sides are working toward the same outcome before the project begins.