How to Get a Website Built Without Getting Screwed

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

Amanda Blum // etchsoftware.com

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


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
liquidatable asset
ability to modify and alter as you like
pride in ownership (ability to pee in all four corners of
your own damn yard)


moneypit1.avi


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
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 (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”
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.


How to Get a Website Built Without Getting Screwed

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