wordcamp miami- how to hire a web firm to build your website

How to Get a Website Built(without getting f*6!%$)

Amanda Blum // etchsoftware.com

Amanda Blum- Strategist and Technical Project Manager, Etch Software

The slides will be available at slideshare.com/hzp 7.3 minutes after preso endsYes, I promise.

I will try not to curse. I will probably fail. Apologies all around.

No, I don’t know why they continue to let me speak at these things.

Yes it real, who would do this to their hair on purpose.

Yes, we are available for hire.

Think of a Website like Shelter


Shelter

wherewhat will it look like

what will it costhow it works

what its made of


WantVs

NeedsCapabilitiesResources


Ownership vs Renting

investment in futureliquid able asset

ability to modify and alter as you likepride in ownership (ability to pee in all four corners of

your own damn yard)


Wantover



Renting Online


What IS a Website


Server

Domain/IP Website

Online Landlords


Renting Online


Utilities provided (hosting/CMS, Gateways)Maintenance (support)

Predictable RentNo Commitment

Ease of UseUpdates provided

Limitations of Renting


AvailabilityIts Not Yours

Limited changesMay not be exactly what you want

Roommates

When are you ready for ownership?


Its about responsibility. are you ready to own the

responsibilities of taking care of your own home



Handling the maintenance yourself. Handling the updates.

Handling the outages. The security. The liability. The BILLS.



When your needs are being hampered by your website to the point that it is costing you more money than the possible new

site. That is not just money lost but growth.

Lets Get You a House (or a website)


The first decision in any house buying experience is: what can you afford.

WantVs



“Is it possible to make the website do

___________________________ ?“


Don’t buy more house than you need (also, website)

condoprefab home

pre owned homescustom home


Condo


PreFab Home


PreFab Home


x

Preowned Home


Custom Home


You’re going to need people


Information Architect (Information Architect): Builder (Developer)

Interior Designer / Landscaper (UI/UX/Designer) Alarm System (Security)

Insurance (Backup)Warranty .. how long?

Handyman (ongoing maintenance)

How to Find the Right People


Trusted SourcesProven Track Record

Meet With Them/Speak With ThemPay More

Ask the Right QuestionsSpeak to Past Clients

Cover SpecificsAre they Insured

Have they Been SuedSearch OnlineWork History

Age

How Do I Not Get Screwed?

Set Good, Realistic Expectations


How Much Does a Website Cost?

Regional, but $60-175 hr$3000/$7500/$15000

Ecommerce $7500


How Long Does a Website Take?

Milestones, not Calendar Days


Set up a proper contract

“Should have welcoming pool” Vs

“Pool to be built of concrete and pebblestone, 60’ x 42’, with 10’ of natural waterfeature, steps to be

able to hold no less than 5000 gallons of water, using the x9000 chlorineless filtration system.


You Don’t Know What You Need(just what you want)

Pay for a scope exploration


Set Realistic Timelines

From the time of the contract signing, XX days until you receive 1st deliverable.

7 business days to respond, another 7 days added for each edit, 2 edits included.

From signoff of 1st deliverable,xx days to 2nd

deliverable.


Set Realistic Budgets & Milestones

expect to pay atleast 20% upfront. Firms that ask for 50% upfront aren’t crazy.

Stage the rest on deliverable points. PAY YOUR CONTRATOR ON TIME.


No one wants to rehab your fixer upper

Its often a lot easier and cheaper to just tear it down and build new.

Don’t hate the dev who suggests it.


Stop Calling

Use project management software so everything is in one place.

Create lists. Deadlines. Summarize calls so its all in writing.


Deliver Your Part on Time

Copy. Images. Fonts, Themes, Hosting.


Leave Time for Testing

Plan for Q/AOnce the css and html are built, you’ll want to

compare it to the comps, and look at the individual elements on the page. Look at it on

all the different platforms, from desktop to mobile. Use multiple devices.


Your Last Milestone isn’t “Launch”

Maintenance, security, new content, testing, refinement are ALL ongoing.


I got screwed. Now what?

Settle. Move on.




Amanda Blum- Strategist and Technical Project Manager, Etch Software

The slides are up at slideshare.com/hzp.

I’m sorry I cursed.

Hey, maybe I’ll be back next year.

Yes, we are available for hire.

wordcamp miami- how to hire a web firm to build your website

Business

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