Ever Think You Sound Like A Broken Record?
January 2nd, 2007As many of you might know I’m a web application developer. Oh, you didn’t know? Well I am. Now for the rest of you that are saying “oh a website designer” NO NO NO NO. I build large scale applications along the line of eBay (well I’ve never built anything that big but close). Anyway part of my job is dealing with the proverbial client and their “team”. Unfortunately that sometimes means dealing with their * cough cough * designer and that is usually 99% of the problem with my job. It has become SO BAD that I have finally had to formalize a standard email to fight back against the freaking hack “1999″ mindset of web design. I swear if I could record it and send it out with each contract I would!
Now for the average “Joe” websites, web applications and everything else they see on the internet is either magic or “something simple” that can be whipped out in a few hours and I can deal with that mentality no matter how wrong it is. The dangerous ones in this business are these half-assed hacks that bought a copy of Photoshop or Fireworks, spent two weeks learning how to use it and then hang out a shingle proclaiming themselves a “website designer”. God almighty these people are freaking dangerous and they are polluting the internet at an alarming rate.
My latest run in with one of these so-called designers is my latest client. Actually an amazing client who has a great idea that I think is destined to make money BUT their “designer” doesn’t have clue one what it takes to build a fast, functional and easy to update application in the year 2007! That is THE major problem today! Sure I could slap it together, take the money and run laughing all the way to the bank but that’s just not me. If I know what I am doing is wrong I just can’t do it! So I get this “design” from them and even though it’s pretty in looks it’s about as web unfriendly as humanly possible. Once again I have to break out the email and explain this to the client from A - Z why this is 100% wrong. It’s important to my sanity and their business so I took the time to write the two page email. Within 2 days I got an email back from the client saying the designer had looked over my email, thrown a hissy fit and quit! Another designer stuck in the 90’s and ready to bite anyone who dare say they are doing ANYTHING wrong!
You see, what’s hysterical about these so-called designers is the simple fact that they know next to nothing about the proper way to code, develop or set up a site. The buy these “wonderful” (where’s the sarcasm button when you need it) web development programs like Dream Weaver, Front Page or some other “point and click” thing that supposedly makes building websites child’s play and they are off to the races. In the process they manage to dupe hundreds of unsuspecting customers into websites (or applications) that do not function like they are supposed to, are a nightmare to maintain, break at the drop of a hat and end up costing the customer more money than it would have taken to build it right the first time! Thanks to these jerks the website and web application development industry has become the used car business of the new millennium! Well screw that, if my name or my company name is going on the product it’s going to be right or it’s not going to be!
Yeah, I’m a fanatic because I was raised in an age where your word meant something and you were proud of what you created. In this day and age though it seems the motto is “make the money and run”. Well not here and if that means I have 1/10th the customers I could have I’m happy with that. I am damn proud of what I do and will hold my work up to anyone’s in this business and no 2nd rate amateur designer is going to make my work look bad. So do I feel bad this designer quit? Hell no! If they can’t do things to todays standard or if their “artistic integrity” is offended because usability is more important to the application then I guess I’m the “bad guy” and I will be proud to be that bad guy! I even got so mad I made a tutorial and menu example over at my design site about the subject. If you’re a real “techie” you can read it here. To the average reader it’s going to be a lot of techno babble but for those who understand it it may be useful.
But why should the average reader here care? Well sooner or later you (or someone you know) is going to want a website. Now you have two options: do it fast and cheap (and pay later or over and over) or do it right the first time! It’s your choice and your money! Before you decide on a developer make sure you ask the following questions:
- Is the site readable by all the search engines?
- How hard is it to update or redesign?
- Is the site usable on other devices besides a computer?
- Does the site display properly in ALL the major browser versions?
- Is the site usable by visitors with handicaps?
- Will the site continue to work on future browser versions?
These are all questions that will cost you either customers or money down the road! It’s the old “pay me now or pay me later” thing. Don’t let some half-assed wannabee developer cost your company a fortune down the road!
