You’ve entered the lucrative internet world wide web with a personal or business website, in all its glory. It could be from a basic html website to a complex Content Management system with a Blog. I’m going to take my 15 yrs of internet website building experience and be straight with you. I don’t like to do work for free any more than you do. Now, I do under promise and over deliver on every contract as stated in my own company motto.
I’ve realized over the years of doing client web contracts that people have a hard time understanding a non-physical product like a website. It’s like when you go buy a pet. You’re like “Awwww, its so cute and pretty!” But then by the 3rd month, there is shots, pet food and even special bath shampoo costs. You don’t begrudge the fact that you have to pay for the upkeep of your pet because you love it and value it as a companion. Websites are similar but they can also enhance your bank account as well as give you love.
Your website could be one of your most valuable business assets with the total success of your business hinged on it. It can reach a new target audience around the world and link up with so many other websites. Yet, still with all these positives, there are clients that don’t get the fact that when they call their web designer for an update or fix to their website that they may get charged $15 – $75hr depending on the complexity and time consumption of the task. When your pet needs a hair cut, your vet isn’t being unfair by making this recommendation. You trust that they have your pet’s best interests in mind, just like your web designer is not ripping you off or being greedy. They are using their skills to enhance your investment.
First, you need to get the fact that your site needs regular maintenance and most times you will have to pay for this. Next, you can figure out how to minimize these costs. Get an invoice with a regular and detailed outline of tasks performed. This way you can get familiar with things being done. Lastly, any web designer worth their weight will tell you what you can do to improve and keep your website secure from viruses. This might incur learning on your part, so take notes and do it step by step with your web designer. But you still have to have annual or quarterly updates to your website and trust me, you don’t want to do it. Unless you are familiar with your FTP server and backing up your website and possible database. As much as you don’t want to spend on your pet or your website, they both need attention and regular maintenance and checkups.
Ps: Web Designers have a long history of dealing with clients who are cheap and don’t want to pay. Don’t be one of these, as everyone likes to be treated and valued fairly.