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 ends
Yes, 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
where
what will it look like
what will it cost
how it works
what its made of

Want
Vs
Needs
Capabilities
Resources

Ownership vs Renting
investment in future
liquid able asset
ability to modify and alter as you like
pride in ownership (ability to pee in all four corners of
your own damn yard)

Want
over
Needs
Capabilities
Resources

Renting Online

What IS a Website
Server
Domain/IP Website

Online Landlords

Renting Online
Utilities provided (hosting/CMS, Gateways)
Maintenance (support)
Predictable Rent
No Commitment
Ease of Use
Updates provided

Limitations of Renting
Availability
Its Not Yours
Limited changes
May 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

ownership?
Handling the maintenance yourself.
Handling the updates.
Handling the outages. The security.
The liability.
The BILLS.

ownership?
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.

“Is it possible to make
the website do
___________________________ ?“

Don’t buy more house than you
need (also, website)
condo
prefab home
pre owned homes
custom home

Condo

PreFab Home

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 Sources
Proven Track Record
Meet With Them/Speak With Them
Pay More
Ask the Right Questions
Speak to Past Clients
Cover Specifics
Are they Insured
Have they Been Sued
Search Online
Work 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/A
Once 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

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