People generally have shit taste, I design websites for 3 Hospitals and these department head douches always try to turn the site into a boring ass online brochure. Try to engage them asking them why they chose what they chose and then use that to point out what they might be overlooking. The problem is they know their customers/clients way better than you, but you understand your field way better than them.
They don't have any professional experience or knowledge in these matters and don't want to think too hard about it. They may ask their nephew who sucks but owns a camera and go with their opinion on shit. If you can engage them the right way under the right circumstances you may be able to show them how studying your specific field for years could benefit them more and why they aren't getting their moneys worth. People skills are huge part of my skill set now having to deal with PHD's who "know best" and then helping them "know better".