Time is Money

What is the time frame for the website?

Time is the next big consideration for your website. How soon does it need to be up and running and more importantly, what is pushing that deadline? Pushing for a quick arbitrary deadline is a great way to get overcharged for a project. Listen to feedback from the developer and ask questions. Consider what parts of the site must be ready for it to go live and what can be added in later. Unlike most major construction projects, websites are very malleable things. New pieces can always be added later. As long as the developer has been informed and can allow for these future changes, this is rarely a problem. The costs and aggravations tend to creep in when developers are in the dark as to future plans for the site. In this respect a time line is always a good idea.

Sketch out an initial time line with your site, including when you will have your part done. Yes you have a part to play too; logos, site content, design ideas, etc. Include any items that can be added after the launch date. Take this initial time line and fill the rest of it in with the developer to decide what is feasible and what is not. The final launch date should grow organically out of the amount of work you need done.

That being said, emergencies happen and sometimes a deadline is set in stone. In the case of emergencies such as this, a time line is even more critical. Make extra sure to not which items are critical, which items would be nice if they happen and which are fine to save for later. Make sure everyone understands the time line and signs off on it. Schedule times to check in and try not to pester the developer too much outside of those times. Interruptions are developer kryptonite and usually result in lost productivity and software bugs.

One final thing about emergency projects. If you have a quick, concrete deadline, do not squawk at the price. You are asking a developer to put other work on hold and be exclusive to you in your hour of need. If the developer is working on your stuff for a solid month, then expect to pay a months living wage at the very least and usually a bit more. Asking someone else to starve for your dream is just tacky.

What is the budget for the website?

You knew we would get around to money eventually, right? Oddly, there is not a lot to say about a budget for your website project, except to say that you really ought to have one. Don’t hide it from the developer, Project budgeting is never the most comfortable conversation for people to have. Nobody wants to overpay for a web site and no developer wants to do free work. Estimate and understand what you can afford for the project and be clear on this budget with the developer.

A good developer will offer you options to fit your budget or tell you if the terms are unrealistic. If you can’t agree on a price, you can always shop elsewhere. Sometimes you will find out that there is a cheaper way to accomplish your goal and sometimes you will find that the project is simply unfeasible at this time.  More often than not, what you will find is that a developer has a way to work within your budget. The trick is to come to the negotiation having already answered the usual questions the developer is likely to have.

In closing

As a business owner I am continually asked how someone can save money on a website. Some folks opt for the do it yourself route. Some opt for the “I know somebody whose kid brother knows how to make a website in Front Page” method. This is a valid choice and I will cover some tips for taking this path in another article, however it should be noted that time spent learning to make web pages is time you don’t get to put into your business or idea. You also lose out on the expertise of someone who does this kind of work and enjoys it.

Of all the projects I have worked on, the ones that saved money for the client were also the ones where the client answered these kinds of questions before the work ever started. Every developer has an additional dollar amount that is added on to any part of the project they don’t understand. This is not malicious, it is simply the only way for a developer to keep reasonably sane and in business.

The best way to help your project is to do your part. From Twelve Foot Guru’s perspective, clients are not just the people who pay the bills, they are the people whose efforts will largely shape the success or failure of the project. The more questions you answer up front, the better off you will be. Time is money and your time will save you money. It’s as simple as that.