How to Avoid BAD Web Design and Scams

If you're looking to develop your first website then this article is for you. Many new website owners are vulnerable to the variety of scams and poor web design techniques which exist today. Many new buyers find themselves in dismal circumstances; we've compiled this article for education purposes ONLY so YOU have the knowledge to beat these misleading "designers".

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

Traverse Designs do NOT employ any methods stated below.

This article is for informative use only.

When employing your chosen web design firm consider the following:

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.

Will you own your .com/.co.uk name?

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.

Do you own the website you've just paid for?

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. A release fee will be proposed to you around the corner to keep your site online.

Do they have an advertisement clause in their terms?

Some companies will adopt advertisements on your website as per the terms and conditions you accepted upon project start. This can evolve advertising your competitors products. Advertisement revenue created by your visitors clicking on the adverts are then paid directly to the web company. Dirty? Absolutely, AVOID these firms!

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, 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 gourmet delight containing salmonella!

Why does the quality of code matter?

If Google, Yahoo etc find your page covered in errors 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.

I've seen software that allows me to make my own site, is this a good idea?

"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. 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. Be careful if you are considering this option, a professional tailored website will benefit you and your business in the long run. Browse our custom web design service for further details.

Where do I go from here?

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.

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.

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


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