How to Avoid BAD Web Design and Scams  

 

 

Many people looking to develop their first web site are vulnerable to the "wannabe" web designers who lie in wait for unsuspecting pray. We (Traverse Designs) are sick of hearing about these dismal circumstances, so we've written this article for education purposes so YOU have the knowledge to beat these misleading design companies.

Over the past 6 months we have experienced dozens of people searching for help. Some who have had their web site and domain stolen to being tied into a contract clause which allow for continued charges. Let the truth be told and keep reading...

We would like to state for the record and to eliminate any confusion that Traverse Designs do NOT employ any methods stated below. This article is for informative use only.

Be aware of the below items when employing your chosen web design firm:

Do they provide a custom service? This means your website will be created from scratch. If the company does not state CUSTOM among their packages they will likely provide a pre-made template design which could of been used for 300 customers before you. Not a very unique solution.

Do they demand you pay a monthly retainer to keep your website afloat? Read these conditions carefully, if you've paid for web hosting in advance and haven't agreed to any maintenance or search engine services there should be no monthly fee.

When registering your company domain name, make sure your web designer does so IN YOUR name. On many occasions we've seen people lose their company name due to the web design company registering it in their own name. Once this happens the web design company OWNS your company name, NOT YOU! In these circumstances they will try to charge you an exorbitant fee for release.

When the site is designed will you own full copyright? You've paid for the site, the site has been launched, everything is ticking over just nicely..... BUT did you check you actually owned the website you've just spent your hard earned cash on? Some people have failed to check this before project start and the design company has full control over your site which can lead to blackmail charges to keep your site online.

Some companies will try to persuade you to employ advertisements on your website, sometimes this can evolve in you advertising your competitors products. So why do some people agree to this? Well they are promised a kickback fee for every customer they refer through the advertising, except in this instance the referrals are paid directly to the web company. All in all they use your business to promote products that they receive direct and continuous commissions upon. Dirty? Absolutely, AVOID these guys!

How to measure the quality of your designer? Like the food industry there are high standards to be met by strict guidelines. A similar set of rules apply to web design, no you DO NOT have to be a rocket scientist to understand them. To check your designer is coding to the highest standard enter their website address into the following validator. If the web page returns errors this is equal to your chicken and sweetcorn pizza containing salmonella!  Any errors from 5 and above are unacceptable!

Why does the quality of code matter? If Google, Yahoo etc find your page covered in salmonella your website will struggle to climb the search engine rankings and thus NEVER be seen by prospective customers, which in turns makes your whole Internet venture a pointless exercise.

 

This brings us onto the "Make your own website" software, there are thousands of applications which supposedly help you tailor your own website through special interfaces with no knowledge of coding required. Whilst this sounds fabulous to prospective website owners who love a challenge the results are far from perfect. Admittedly this software will get data online for you, as discussed above the layout will likely be a pre-made template and by the time you've finished uploading your company pictures and text the overall coding will NOT pass the validator. If you find a site created by a piece of software that DOES pass the web standards test we would love to hear about it. We fail to understand is why this software is so expensive when the final site is far from satisfactory? Be careful if you are considering this option.

To top off our article, prices - do not go with the highest quote as more often than not there are far better deals and services to be had. Traverse Designs work freelance and we charge affordable prices for quality professional (and of course CUSTOM) designs. You receive a friendly personal service combined with stunning end results which WILL exceed your expectations. Does it sound too good to be true? READ what our client's say. Never pay your prospective design firm the quoted fee upfront, there will likely be terms which the company will make clear to you before you part with your cash. If this is not discussed with you the alarm bells should immediately ring. There should be multiple payment schemes on offer which are fair for both parties.

If you have found this article helpful please spread the word and publish the following article link either on your website or forward to those special friends who are thinking about having a website designed. It's better to be safe than sorry.

http://www.traverse-designs.com/how_to_avoid_webdesign_scams.html

We hope you've been enlightened by our article and wish you every success with your online business.

 

If you are stuck with a website you no longer have control over, our recovery services may just save your business.

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