Website Rescue - When things go wrong...

Website Rescue

An unfortunate situation, but one that happens often.

You've been waiting for months and still no definate timeframe is available for when your Website will be ready to go live?

You've paid out hundreds, even thousands of dollars on expenses you wren't informed of in the first place, and you're still waiting for results, and wondering where the bottom of this money pit is?

Why does this happen?

The most common reason for this in our experience (from hearing nightmare stories from Clients who have arrived at this situation with some developers) is because the developer didn't document the Client's requirements adequately, didn't inform them of 'unexpected' or 'miscellaneous' costs, or flat-out lied about their abilities, just to secure the job in the first place.

If you are embarking on, or currently suffering through, a project such as this, stop now, and ask yourself, 'What documentation do I have, signed by the developer, that states exactly what I'm going to get for my money, and in what timeframe should it be delivered?'

If you can't answer this simple few questions, you're possibly heading for disaster, and you should take stock immediately, before you're staring down the barrel of a complete rebuild from scratch, with a new developer.

The Client's Golden Rule

Document Everything

Ensure you have a signed duplicate of an agreement that specifically states these important points, from your Web Developer. Don't agree to any major work unless you know, in writing, exactly what to expect from the completed project, and what time frame it will take for the developer to deliver.

Can you maintain the content upon completion?

Unless you really don't have the time to maintain the content of your own Website, or don't have the staff, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to maintain the text, product data and product image content of your website, yourself, from any Internet-connected computer in the world.

If you haven't checked with your developer exactly what content you will be able to maintain yourself (without outsourcing this work back to the web developer), then find out fast. Embarking on a project without this knowledge, is like cutting a whole in your wallet, and watching it empty into your website continuously.

Aside from minor, occasional technological changes that may be required to keep your site up-to-date, (which may need to be performed by your Web Developer), you, or a trained staff member in your organisation, should be able to easily maintain your data, your text, your content, In-house without outsourcing the work to a Web developer.

When all else fails

If you find yourself in such a predicament that you're pulling your hair out wondering why you ever considered getting a Website, or undergoing the project that is causing you endless grief and additional, unexpected expense, SpidersNet are ready and waiting to Rescue you from the madness, and discuss and DOCUMENT your requirements.

If at this stage you have any energy left, we will together, complete your project to a deadline, as per your requirements, without any hidden, ongoing costs.

Are you being ripped off?

At the end of the day, the only reason you should be required to pay more for a project than you were originally quoted, is because you have changed your project requirements or scope, and have notified your developer in writing(or by email) and have discussed and had explained to you, any additional expected costs for such changes.

Some small changes may be done for you at no additional costs, while major work may incur additional fees for development.

RED FLAGS should be raised if you:

A) Don't know how much something will cost, or

B) How long it will take or,

C) Don't have any documentation from your developer as to the expected costs and timeframe of a project or part thereof.

Believe it or not, MANY people, even intelligent business people, are scared off by seemingly highly qualified 'geek-sounding' developers who speak a whole load of mumbo-jumbo Tech-Talk, yet don't document their Client's expectations before commencing a project; and it's the Client who ALWAYS suffers.

You may think you're 'not an expert' in this field, but it's your business, it's your money, it's your time being invested into the project, so it's your right to demand to be informed about the project at all times.

We care about your business

At SpidersNet, we are always excited about being invited to assist a Client in building their Website and expanding their market. We learn as much as we can about your busienss, products, services, your customers, their requirements and expectations, and yours, so we can build a picture of what you need, and what your customers need from your Website. In building a foundation of knowledge about your business, we are able to better implement solutions tailored for your industry or organisation, and ensure that what you have developed for you, is exactly what you need.

Phone consultation is free, so even if you want some general advice or tips about your project, give us a call, and we'll gladly help.

Our bottom line is directly related to yours, and we believe it's in our very best interest to provide you and your customers with the highest possible level of service, and constant communication.