p.s. Something I have found valuable is asking clients: do you have any particular concerns about this project? Or: In one sentence, what do you want to accomplish with this. If you come up with a solution to address those answers you are meeting the key elements for them.

This is great. It is really hard to get the client to tell you what they want / what they need. A lot of times I'll start really broad with "what are you looking to do?" ("I want a new website") and then I drill down by asking things like "Why do you want a new website?" and "Why do you want a new website right now" and on and on into the specifics. Eventually we get there. I will add your questions to my list!

It's especially tough since people naturally assume that things are a certain way and are used to doing them that way and don't realize it's a problem that can be solved. The website I did for my old company was probably one of my best because I experienced the problems with the old site every day and I randomly and naturally got insights into the website from everyone in the office over months and months and months. It's hard to get that level and range of knowledge without spending that amount of time with all the people who use the site.