| So you finally decided to invest in a web presence or | | | | professional communicates and documents every |
| upgrade your current site? There are many available | | | | aspect of the project life cycle. This gives the |
| choices in "web designers" to choose from. This | | | | customer the ability to be involved as much as they |
| decision is an important one! You may have a relative | | | | want, giving them a feeling of inclusion and reassuring |
| or friend of a friend who will do your web site at a | | | | them they made the right decision in hiring a pro. |
| very low cost from the comfort of their house. At the | | | | Detailed communication and documentation of |
| same time you receive a quote of a higher price from | | | | conversations and decisions, ensures that all involved |
| a professional design house. Who do you choose? | | | | are "on the same page". This helps to derail issues and |
| The first instinct is to always assume the lower price is | | | | misunderstandings upon completion of the project. |
| a better choice. This article will discuss why this isn't | | | | Design: |
| always true, and why "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY | | | | Every "web dude" thinks they are great designers. |
| FOR!" | | | | Professional developers prove they are! This proof |
| After 5 years of web site development, I noticed a | | | | comes with vast experience, successful project |
| reoccurring response when I did project estimates. | | | | completions, and a history of customer satisfaction. |
| That being, "My sisters' neighbors' cousins' daughter | | | | There are many different variables to consider when |
| has a friend who will do it for $300!" | | | | designing the "look" of a web site. Consideration is |
| Lets cover a few examples of the difference | | | | given to the company branding, or visually showcasing |
| between an inexpensive, inexperienced "web dude" | | | | their "vision", and most importantly, understanding what |
| and a professional developer. | | | | the target market is, and what that market likes. A |
| Quoting: | | | | "web dude" will generally use the same methods and |
| Throughout my experience in estimating websites, I | | | | design basics for all the sites he/she does. This is all |
| have learned some valuable lessons. It's easy for the | | | | good and dandy, except that they don't reflect the |
| customer to look at the bottom line number on an | | | | image of their clients. You wouldn't expect a doctor's |
| estimate. What's more important however, is that the | | | | website to have the same "look and feel" of a |
| customer knows and understands exactly what they | | | | high-energy nightclub, would you? Great design gives |
| are getting for their money. There should never be any | | | | character and individuality to a web site. |
| misunderstanding between a developer and a | | | | Behind the scenes |
| customer in regards to what exactly the project | | | | Ok, so the "web dudes" tell you they are done with |
| entails. The experience of the designer affords him/her | | | | your website. Everything looks to be in order and |
| to accurately estimate and communicate every | | | | working. However, what happens if you type in a page |
| aspect of the project to the customer. This avoids the | | | | name that doesn't exist? How come the website is |
| very common customer concern of, "I thought that | | | | not appearing in any search engines? How much |
| was included in the price!". | | | | traffic am I getting, and how did they find my site? |
| Understanding: | | | | Where is the privacy policy, what is it, and why do I |
| The relationship between a developer and their | | | | need it? What about copyright issues? Why am I |
| customer is very important. The more the customer | | | | receiving spam all of a sudden? Is my site secure? |
| understands and knows about the technology, | | | | What about standards for visually impaired or cross |
| methodology and limitations, the more comfortable | | | | browser display? These are just a few of the "behind |
| they will feel. A professional developer understands | | | | the scenes" questions that professionals address with |
| that their customers are not "techies" for the most | | | | every site. These are the factors that will make the |
| part, and beyond "surfing" the internet, they may not be | | | | web site a success and give the customer a truly |
| aware of their options, or understand development | | | | satisfied feeling that their investment was worth while. |
| terminology. A professional developer will offer | | | | Choosing your developer - summary |
| terminology definitions, explanations, and details. The | | | | A couple key notes to remember when decision time |
| customer should understand every aspect of the | | | | comes are: |
| scope of work, and understand why certain | | | | - Look beyond the estimated price before making your |
| programming languages or methods are used. | | | | decision! |
| Planning: | | | | - How long has the developer been in business and will |
| The success of the project lifecycle and its | | | | they be in business when support is needed? |
| implementation is a direct reflection of the planning and | | | | - Every developer MUST have a portfolio of |
| pre-development decisions made. | | | | completed work! Take the time to view the portfolio |
| A professional developer focuses on the "big picture" | | | | and the success of those sites. |
| from the very beginning stages. A developer should | | | | - Who are/were their customers? Has this designer |
| never assume anything in regards to what the | | | | ever done a project similar to the size and scope of |
| customer wants. Professional planning encompasses | | | | yours? |
| documentation, flow charts, site layouts to name a | | | | - Is the developer easily accessible for questions, |
| few, and most importantly, inclusion of the customer | | | | meetings, or general concerns? |
| throughout the planning. Knowing what the customer | | | | - Will the developer be available in the future for |
| wants and expects is the key factor. This can be | | | | support? |
| accomplished through surveying of the customer for | | | | Comparison: |
| information, including getting to understand their | | | | Although the analogy may be overused, I submit a |
| business, their mission, their vision, their likes and dislikes | | | | comparison between a web site development project |
| about other sites, and who their competitors are. The | | | | and the construction of a house. Although two houses |
| time spent on this is invaluable. | | | | may look identical in many ways on the outside upon |
| Communication: | | | | completion, the real level of quality is apparent in what |
| Communication between the developer and the | | | | lies within. Solid construction, infrastructure, and quality |
| customer is critical for the success of the project. A | | | | of material are what give the home its true value. Just |
| "web dude" will assume too much without consulting | | | | like a web site requires solid programming, functionality, |
| the customer, or involving them in decisions. A | | | | dependability, management, and ease of scalability. |