Developing for Clients (the efficient way)
After developing an update, the enduser might have changes they want made or bugs they’ve found. This results in chains of feedback emails between developer and client, making it easy for request to be lost in translation. It also makes it difficult to keep track of tasks, their importance, and when they are due. If multiple developers are working on the same project, this adds another layer of confusion and can lead to changes being overwritten. Luckily, there is a product out there that can reduce the complications for developing with clients.
What is Bugherd?
Bugherd is a simple tool that allows clients to provide feed back in real time. It creates a virtual layer over the website, letting clients pin issues and leave feedback. By having this feature, you reduce email correspondence with clients, see the exact location of the issue instead of hunting it down, and are able to keep track of all requested changes. With any pin left, you also get a screenshot of the task, severity of the task, due date, etc… This way you can keep track of tasks and let clients know when you have finished them. Bugherd can be used internally with your team or extended to the public so that clients can leave feedback. The best part is, you don’t need an account to leave feedback. If you allow public feedback in your project, then any user can leave feedback.
How to use Bugherd?
One of the best parts of Bugherd is how simple it is to install and use!
Once a projected is created, Bugherd will provide a simple script to put into the <head> tag associated with the project.
<script type='text/javascript'>
(function (d, t) {
var bh = d.createElement(t), s = d.getElementsByTagName(t)[0];
bh.type = 'text/javascript';
bh.src = 'https://www.bugherd.com/sidebarv2.js?apikey=YOUR_KEY_HERE';
s.parentNode.insertBefore(bh, s);
})(document, 'script');
</script>
Once this code is built into the project you are all set! Client’s are now able to leave feedback on your site and assign you any bugs or requests. If you set the project to “public” in the project settings, then you don’t have to worry about inviting the client to the project. This way, the client can have others make reviews and request for the site.
Integrations
If you’re like me, you probably hate having to use multiple tools and apps to keep track and organize all your task. The number of tools increases exponentially when working with clients from various organizations, since everyone has a preferred task manager. Luckily, Bugherd has already started some native integrations to major services:
- Jira
- Slack
- Github
- Basecamp
