“My web designer ran away with my money!”
I heard this too many times already from people who have been cheated by unscrupulous web designers. Usually they are moonlighting or doing this on the side while juggling a full career. Or they think designing a website is easy and then get stuck and decide to abscond. Or worse, the ecommerce website they set up for their clients cannot work because they don’t know how to connect to the payment system!
As we’ve been in this web design business business for the past 10 years, nothing ceases to surprise us anymore.
Ultimately, it is usually horror stories about web designers running away with customer’s cash, after promising they will deliver a website.
I heard this again a few days ago when I was talking to Jay (not her real name). She had it tough because not one, but two website designers took her money and scooted off! And both were recommended by her family members. Ouch. That must have hurt, both heart and purse.
But she’s not the only one.
I have heard plenty more horror stories of freelance or part-time web designers who promise the heaven and earth and then realize it’s just too hard to design and deliver a fully functional website to their customers. (One guy even told me his designer had to the cheek to run off with his domain name!)
So here’s a bit of advice before you happily part with your money.
1. Agree on delivery dates and full process Agree on delivery dates for each phase. When we agree to take on a web design project, we make sure you know what you’re getting and when. Ask for a complete process – how long does it take to design the first phase? What about the second phase? What about the final phase? What is the estimated delivery date?
2. Ask for a client list Reputable designers will have a good list of clients they’ve done work for. Ask for at least 3 websites or ecommerce sites they’ve designed. Can you call their clients direct to ask about their design work? If they cannot give you a client list to check, be cautious. Either you’re their first client or they just don’t want you to know the ugly stuff they’ve done.
3. Ask about SEO Oh this is the ultimate clincher. It’s either they know or they will fib their way through. Most designers are not marketers and have no marketing mindset. They just think a nice visual will do. No it won’t especially in today’s world. (Find out more about SEO or search engine optimisation)
4. Ask about the successes they’ve achieved for their past clients Yes, successes. What good is a website if it does not work? If it does not work, then you might be better off with a brochure or flier. A website can be quite scientific – you can measure lots. So ask about the successes. If they cannot tell you a (or any) success story other than having a nice looking website, then be very very cautious.
5. Do not pay all before work starts The general rule is this – pay a deposit to get work started and then pay the remainder before the website goes live. Jay told me that she paid the full amount to the designer before he started designing and he ran away! Do not do this unless you trust the designer completely.
More helpful articles: 1.What mistakes do people make when choosing a web designer? 2.Another helpful article to help you choose a good web designer. Nic wrote this ages ago but the advice is still relevant especially if you are looking for a truly trustworthy web designer.
No comments yet.