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Are Webdesigners typically flakey?

oceans11

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I fired my last web designer & went with a new guy & the lack of attention when it comes to returning phone calls & emails is driving me nuts. I come from the lending/banking/insurance world & this is simply not tolerated. In my industry if you say, "I'll call you at 2pm" You call the person. If you get an email, you try your best to return it in a reasonable time without any excuses (say within 24hrs).

I feel like Web designers are people who tend to over promise & under deliver. I'd rather have someone tell me, "It'll take a month" & deliver in 2 weeks, than someone tell me, "I can get that done by tomorrow" & then it's not completed for 5 days.

The web site I have is a forum/blog style forum kind of like SF I run as something fun to do on my own.

So for you guys who do Web Design, SEO stuff is this just typical & should I just be patient?

confused.gif
 

JoeWoah

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I'm not actually a web designer but am always forced into the role because I am typically the only one in the office that knows how to design and code. Also, like you, I do expect things to be done a certain way.

That said, when it comes to creative people, a little slack needs to be given. They don't work or think like more analytical people. Your expectations need to be adjusted.

One of my first jobs was as a production manager at a bridal magazine. Kinda like an editor, but I managed the artists. I was a stickler for deadlines and way too hard on them. The editor took me aside and taught me how to properly work with our artists. I learned more at that job than any other I've had since.

By the way, most "web designers" are not actually professionals. You might be just hiring a kid that knows a lot about computers. If that's the case, you get what you get.
 

unjung

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The professional (F500 clientele) firm I work with is very attentive. Only once have they not called when they said they would. They regularly get their team together in their conference room to call me. And when I have a question about their code, the programmer writes me several pages to explain. They have account managers who coordinate all this.

We are looking at five-figure bills.

You get what you pay for.
 

oceans11

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Good points! Especially the last sentence. I think he's fairly young but then again my last web designer was in her 40's. But you gave some real good insight. I'll cut the "kid" some slack as long as he gets the work done! Thanks!
smile.gif


Originally Posted by JoeWoah
I'm not actually a web designer but am always forced into the role because I am typically the only one in the office that knows how to design and code. Also, like you, I do expect things to be done a certain way.

That said, when it comes to creative people, a little slack needs to be given. They don't work or think like more analytical people. Your expectations need to be adjusted.

One of my first jobs was as a production manager at a bridal magazine. Kinda like an editor, but I managed the artists. I was a stickler for deadlines and way too hard on them. The editor took me aside and taught me how to properly work with our artists. I learned more at that job than any other I've had since.

By the way, most "web designers" are not actually professionals. You might be just hiring a kid that knows a lot about computers. If that's the case, you get what you get.
 

TowleY

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If you ar paying them, they should do as you tell them. At least as they tell you. If you want my brother cand o web designing. I can see if he is looking for a job. He does alot of web advertising for big companies and works at a web advertising company called didit.com
Some of his clients are google, some of the adult meeting sites,
 

oceans11

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Originally Posted by unjung
You get what you pay for.

Good point but I feel like in my case maybe I'm put on the back burner not because I'm getting a truly lower than competitive price BUUUT because I'm a "small fry" & not spending 5 figures!

It's kind of funny you mentioned this though because upon my first attempt to contract a good webdesigner to redo my site many of them turned me away saying it's not cost effective for them to work with smaller projects.

But it could just very well be that the bigger projects get priority while my measily little site redo is taking a back seat.

Money is money & if you take on the responsibility of "opening shop" then you should give all customers their due time regardless if they spend $100K or $1K. Because that $1K guy could turn into a $1mill & then guess who that person turns to if you treated them right?

Thanks for the insight!
 

JoeWoah

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Originally Posted by oceans11
Good point but I feel like in my case maybe I'm put on the back burner not because I'm getting a truly lower than competitive price BUUUT because I'm a "small fry" & not spending 5 figures!

It's kind of funny you mentioned this though because upon my first attempt to contract a good webdesigner to redo my site many of them turned me away saying it's not cost effective for them to work with smaller projects.

But it could just very well be that the bigger projects get priority while my measily little site redo is taking a back seat.

Money is money & if you take on the responsibility of "opening shop" then you should give all customers their due time regardless if they spend $100K or $1K. Because that $1K guy could turn into a $1mill & then guess who that person turns to if you treated them right?

Thanks for the insight!


If that's the case, you might be better off getting a college kid to do it for you. They work cheap and you'll probably be their only client. Things might take a little while because, well you know how it is, but you'll get more personal attention especially if you spend some time with them too.

Everyone needs to start somewhere.
 

oceans11

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Originally Posted by JoeWoah
Everyone needs to start somewhere.


True, true! I think I think I'll take the advice you guys gave earlier & maybe chill for a second & give this kid a chance to show & prove. I mean I haven't paid anything yet. The only thing that scares me is my site is pretty much in limbo until he transfers everything to his server, makes the updates & cleans up the site.
 

visionology

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Bigger firms and more established designers can better estimate time and delivery and often have teams set up to help project manage.

I work with designers (am a designer myself) who routinely deliver on time and as expected however as an exception to the rule I have worked with large companies who were nearly 6 months overdue on projects and left clients frustrated and threatening to leave.

On the flipside I have worked with overbearing clients who expect the world for a dime. I've learned to better tell from the initial stage if a project will be right between the client and I, in some cases I tell them that they would be better off elsewhere.
 

thekunk07

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yes they are flakey as ****. i employ 8 of them and they are all flakes. as are the 20-30 others i've employed over the years.

i also find that people who offer to design AND code are jacks of all trades and masters of none.
 

JoeWoah

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Originally Posted by thekunk07
i also find that people who offer to design AND code are jacks of all trades and masters of none.

smile.gif
 

oceans11

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Originally Posted by visionology
I've learned to better tell from the initial stage if a project will be right between the client and I, in some cases I tell them that they would be better off elsewhere.

Well, that's fair though. At least you're giving your potential or even non potential clients a heads up & letting them know up front instead of trying to capture every fish in the pond.
 

oceans11

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Originally Posted by thekunk07
i also find that people who offer to design AND code are jacks of all trades and masters of none.

Good point!
 

unjung

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Give us your URL so we can tell you if you're getting what you're paying for...
 

Xericx

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Yes. For most choices, you get a flakey web designer that never gets back to you or a big corporatey company that is so rigid you can't get anything done cheaply!
 

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