$20k for a Broken Website!?
After hearing this horror story, we had to share 4 things with you to avoid two common web developer issues: ghosting and broken websites.
Imagine spending $20,000 on a new website, only to have it break less than a year later and your developer is nowhere to be found. This was the case for a luxury linens company, which started asking for referrals to build their new website. They thought they found a perfect match when a good friend sent them a highly-recommended name.
A deal was made, and the developer proceeded to build their website on Wordpress, an open-source platform best saved for enterprise-level companies that can afford round-the-clock website maintenance, security monitoring, and deep-level coding.
The client needed a custom feature that converts a shopper’s wishlist into an estimate, but a problem arose when the client’s estimate software refused to connect with Wordpress. The savvy developer proceeded to code a “custom API,” or a custom bridge connecting the two platforms. A great solution! All seemed well, the website was launched, and the developer’s contract was concluded.
However, months after launch, the client’s 3rd party software updated and their bridge to the website broke. The client contacted their developer, but he suddenly had no availability to help and eventually ignored them altogether.
To make things worse, without the ability to retrieve their leads or add products to their website, the client missed out on hot leads and potential revenue.
That was when they contacted us for help and shared their heartbreaking — and unfortunately common — story. This was not the first time we’ve heard of a developer ghosting their client, but we’d like it to be the last. So, we’ve put together a list of 4 things that you can do before you hire a website developer.
1| Get clear about post-launch support.
Not all developers offer maintenance and other support after they build a website, so it’s crucial to know this in advance.
Ask your potential hire about whether or not repairs will be made by them in the future after your website goes public. While you’re at it, ask about pricing and turnaround times so you can have a clear expectation.
2| Ask your developer if they offer training.
Even if you don’t intend to self-manage your website, this question may offer good insight into whether or not the developer cares for the longevity of your business. Someone interested in your success will be willing to help you transition into your next step, be it a website or something else.
3| If you plan to self-manage, Require your website to have a “user-friendly interface.”
“User-friendly interface” is shorthand for a system that is easy to use. Will you be able to find the buttons you need on your own? Does the platform have an FAQs page to help you find what you need, or a support team you can contact? How easy will it be to ship website orders, add new products or services, find customer-scheduled appointments, or update your home page? Think of all the potential needs for your website, and ask your developer to rate the simplicity of each task on a scale of 1-10. Keep in mind your and your team’s capabilities — if you’re generally not tech-savvy, then it may be best to defer to point #1 above.
4| Confirm what type of maintenance your website will need after launch.
While some website platforms require your business to make constant security and other technical updates, others handle the heavy lifting for you. Even still, there might be actions for you to take now and then to ensure your website is in always in working order.
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We hope this article helps you to save precious capital for a website developer that is truly in your corner.
Our goal at Yumari Digital is to build websites on intuitive, robust, supportive, and flexible platforms like Shopify and Squarespace. Platforms like these are easy to use, ensuring that our clients can bring their website’s management in-house if needed. They also provide constant security, and their large market share almost guarantees that they and your website will stick around for a long, long time. We also offer flexible website maintenance support and aim to respond to all inquiries within 2 business days of receipt.
Please feel free to contact us if you'd like assistance with building or updating your website.
If you have any suggestions or questions about this article please feel free to leave a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
