Within the web design field you’ll often hear poor comments masquerading as advice, but what’s the truth behind that “advice”. The narrative you’ve been fed about client preferences in the tech and design world is about as reliable as a house of cards in a hurricane. We’re talking about a realm where “advice” is served up like fast food—quick, easy, and ultimately unsatisfying. You’ve probably heard them all in some form:

• “The tools you use? Clients won’t lose sleep over it or they are too dumb to understand.”
• “Pick any framework; it’s all the same to them or use no framework at all… they won’t know.”
• “Just go with what feels right to you. Easy after all is what it’s all about.”
• “Every tool has its ups and downs. Choose your favorite and roll with it because the client won’t know any different.”

This is an absolute lie and disservice to your clients because client will and do care, they just don’t know it yet.

Imagine entering a bakery, knowing nothing about baking. You wouldn’t know a sourdough from a ciabatta, but you trust the baker to use the best flour, the right oven settings. You rely on their expertise to enjoy a perfect loaf of bread. Similarly, clients might not know the first thing about tech stacks or design tools, but they trust us to make informed, expert decisions for their projects. The catch is that not everyone in this business is equipped to live up to that trust, nor do they even possesses the capability to really make those levels of decisions.

To draw a parallel, think about a scenario stripped of any specific industry jargon or tools.

Imagine an industry where entry is as simple as owning the basic equipment or software, and suddenly, everyone’s a professional. This hypothetical world is riddled with enthusiasts turned overnight experts, all thanks to accessible, entry-level gear and tech. No need for deep knowledge or skill; a few quick fixes and voilà, you’re in business.

But what happens when the results don’t meet expectations? Who’s to blame when the final product is subpar, missing the mark on what was envisioned?

Certainly, the fault doesn’t reside with the clients who trusted the “experts.” Instead it’s on those who cash in without owning up to their limitations or those who peddle the myth (read lie) that “the choice of tools doesn’t matter” or that “the client doesn’t really care.”

Unfortunately this isn’t just a one-off; it’s become the norm and standard in the web design industry. The digital landscape is littered with tools that promise the world but deliver an atlas of headaches. Tools that, in the hands of the unqualified, lead to disaster more often than not.

The kicker? When everything goes wrong, when projects implode and budgets balloon, guess who suddenly becomes acutely aware of the tools and choices that led there? Exactly. Everyone involved, especially the Client(s). Claiming “clients don’t care” is not just irresponsible; it’s a downright fallacy and a lie. They do care, especially when faced with the fallout of poor decisions.

In the grand scheme, whether it’s deciding on a framework, a design approach, or any other tool in the tech toolbox, actually understanding the tools and the work you’re doing is what matters most. If you use no skilled required tools, regardless of how skilled you are, the result will be obvious. If you use high end tools and you’re skill level is poor, then your results will be equally poor.

At the end of the day, the success of a project and design hinges not just on the tools chosen, but on the wisdom, knowledge, and a desire to always keep moving forward in learning and growing. Remember, tools and capability do matter. It’s past time we stop pretending otherwise and start treating our clients with the respect and honesty they deserve.