How to Hire a Web Developer (On a Budget)

This blog will explain how to get a decent website done within a tight budget. I'm sure you're either: A) glad to finally have a respectable website that represents your business online or B) it's one of those headaches you know needs attention. Another day in the life of a business owner. When hiring a web developer you have two basic options:

Option 1) Go inexpensive and hire a freelance web developer (cost $500 to $2,000)

Options 2) Go expensive and hire a reputable agency (cost $4,000 to $15,000)

Since I'm trying to save you money, we are focusing on option 1. Keep in mind: You cannot buy a new Cadillac for the price of a high-mileage Ford Pinto. Don't even try. Assuming you have found a trust-worthy web developer, here's the steps for getting a respectable website built, without wasting a lot of time:

Get It In Writing - I'm not saying you need an elaborate, attorney-prepared document. But mandatory elements of the contract are: total cost, monthly hosting charges, payment dates, number of "minor revisions" and a deadline for completing the work. Also, take some notes. Repeat back your expectations to the web designer to ensure good communication. Don't get surprised when the website is completed without certain functionality you thought was part of the agreement.

Special Features - If you saw a website and you must have one just like it...make sure you communicate this clearly up front. The typical freelance developer probably hasn't done anything like it. If he claims he has, be sure to see the website and ask for a reference. If it's a deal breaker and you realize you need a more capable developer, be glad you haven't paid a deposit yet.

Design - Insist on seeing a couple design options. Usually, this includes 1 home page and 1 body page design (to be used on the other 4 or 5 pages within the site).

Document Basic Info - If you ever need something changed with your website, it's no time to start trying to contact that "no-name" freelancer from 14 months ago (who recently moved to Texas). Make sure you know where your site is hosted and what your login credentials are for changing the content on your website.

Plan Ahead - Remember that the web designer will need items from you as well. Site content and images need to be provided to keep the project from stalling. If you drop off the map for two weeks and then ask why the site isn't done, you're heading for Project Disaster. For the sake of both parties, do your part.

Test the Site - When the site is done, click through it. Also, there are no guarantees your small-time developer has tested the site on multiple browser versions. If he did excellent work, he wouldn't be working on the cheap. It's easier to get "weird" problems corrected now than after you've given final payment.

One clarification. This blog assumes you are dealing with a proven freelance web developer. The bad stories we've all heard (e.g. "the third web developer I hired never returned one phone call after he took my deposit...") are usually the result of randomly selecting an individual based on price. Never a good idea. There are productive freelancers out there. Once you find one, head off problems by following the above steps.

The Role of the Web in Business Marketing Strategy

Introduction

The rapid advance in web technology challenges business managers to stay current, but most recognize that the internet is a critical element of marketing strategy. There is an overwhelming service offering within the three broad marketing categories of internet technology: websites, search engine optimization and social media. Poor understanding of web technology and difficulty selecting internet marketing strategies appropriate for the specific business objective, lead to mediocre return on investment and lost opportunity for revenue growth.

The Website

What are the critical elements of your corporate website? In many cases, the website is outdated and ineffective. Websites developed several years ago offered basic information, typically to existing customers or prospects familiar with the business. Today, prospective buyers utilize the internet as a primary method of researching the purchase decision. To quantify the critical elements of today’s website, a survey of 200 purchasing managers was conducted*. The goal was to rank the importance of website elements. The most important website elements, starting with the most important, were found to be: Service Description, Industries Served, Success Stories/Case Studies and Professional Web Site Design and Layout.

Search Engine Optimization

In the mid 1990s companies began developing website content with the purpose of being found by internet users. Since then, search engines began offering Pay Per Click (PPC) services, allowing business to buy key words and phrases commonly being searched by prospective customers. Although, PPC is still a proven method of driving web traffic, search engine optimization is increasingly more important. By creating content that your prospective customers want to read, you provide a valued service and drive traffic to your website free of charge.

Social Media

The least understood aspect of internet marketing strategy is social media. Even so, market research** indicates that since 2009 small businesses have started participating in social media, 65% have Facebook accounts, 64% have Twitter accounts and 19% have Wordpress (blogging platform) accounts. Facebook accounts are commonly set up incorrectly, causing the account to be deleted by Facebook. By following the required standards, companies can build a community of loyal customers and potentially tap into the Facebook user base, which numbers over 500 million. Blogs can draw web traffic to your company without paying search engines, such as Google, for clicks. Publishing content on the web is easier than ever before, as blogging platforms are free and easy to use. Twitter offers an easy way to monitor conversations about your company or issues you care about. In the same way, your company can send out 140 character messages that are relevant to your prospective customers.

Conclusion

Internet marketing offers significant opportunity to grow revenues. Although, appropriate technical resources should be hired to develop internet marketing campaigns, senior management involvement is critical. Effectively developing each category of internet marketing strategy requires: fundamental understanding of the business, an ear for stories and experiences that resonate with your customers and people skills to assemble a team that can effectively manage such a complex undertaking. Staying informed about changes in the dynamic area of internet marketing is critical. If senior management can’t do it, ensure that some responsible party is closely monitoring the company’s internet marketing, to recommend changes and identify better practices.