Usually a client does not know as much as a developer about software, that is why we are hired. The issue I run into is terminology. How do you communicate with a client that has limited computer experience, ex. a client that has never used a right click you can teach them the difference between a left click and a right click. But in the case of a client that has this little experience is going to have other limitations on terms/experience.

I am going to limit this to web pages since that is where the majority of my work is.

I have tried asking clients how they use web forms describing in their own terms. I attempt to use their terms, but I tend to forget their terms (except one client calling a text box a "message grabber", I couldn't stop laughing when I figured out what they were talking about).

I have no issues with teaching a client all of the terms they want to learn, and I have tried this many times, as well as how to use everything that is created. Sometimes this information just cannot be learned in the time of a short contract. I often see clients get frustrated with the amount of new information and occasionally shutdown giving up on creating a website altogether.

I have tried making sure I know their preferred method of contact so they are not going over another barrier they are not used to. This seems to help the most, but I still see issues.

What I would like see is any or all of the following ...

1. Personal experience on how you have resolved/prevented similar issues in the past.
2. Advice (however obvious it might be) on how to improve communication in my situation.
3. Link(s) to articles that have personally helped you improve communication. (NOTE: I have found many articles online on how to improve communication, but I seem to be missing something critical. I want to know how the article helped you and why you are linking it. Please do not include the results of a web search.
4. Anything else you find relevant.

Usually a client does not know as much as a developer about software, that is why we are hired. The issue I run into is terminology. How do you communicate with a client that has limited computer experience, ex. a client that has never used a right click you can teach them the difference between a left click and a right click. But in the case of a client that has this little experience is going to have other limitations on terms/experience.

I am going to limit this to web pages since that is where the majority of my work is.

I have tried asking clients how they use web forms describing in their own terms. I attempt to use their terms, but I tend to forget their terms (except one client calling a text box a "message grabber", I couldn't stop laughing when I figured out what they were talking about).

I have no issues with teaching a client all of the terms they want to learn, and I have tried this many times, as well as how to use everything that is created. Sometimes this information just cannot be learned in the time of a short contract. I often see clients get frustrated with the amount of new information and occasionally shutdown giving up on creating a website altogether.

I have tried making sure I know their preferred method of contact so they are not going over another barrier they are not used to. This seems to help the most, but I still see issues.

What I would like see is any or all of the following ...

1. Personal experience on how you have resolved/prevented similar issues in the past.
2. Advice (however obvious it might be) on how to improve communication in my situation.
3. Link(s) to articles that have personally helped you improve communication. (NOTE: I have found many articles online on how to improve communication, but I seem to be missing something critical. I want to know how the article helped you and why you are linking it. Please do not include the results of a web search.
4. Anything else you find relevant.