Lisa Barone from BruceClay wrote a great post about creating a strong web identiy which really made me think about the responsibility we, as web developers, have to educate our customers.
I’ve seen it time and time again – lovely, intelligent and enthusiastic potential customers – who are also dangerously naive when it comes to the web.
What it really boils down to is this:
Don’t assume that potential customers have any other plan other than:
investment in a great website = lots of new customers.
Don’t assume that potential customers have any understanding about online marketing or seo at all.
Don’t assume that potential customers have ANY CONCEPT of what it will take to really make their web project a success.
Never assume... as the saying goes, it makes an ASS of U and ME.
What do you know about making floral arrangements? Or caring for the elderly or kinesiology? I don’t have a clue. Just because we live and breathe the web, it’s unreasonable to take for granted that people in other professions will understand the fundamentals of our industry. In fact, most are intimidated by it.
It’s our job to help guide our customers through the digital wilderness with calm and confidence.
It’s our job to arm them with the knowledge they need.
As web professionals, I think we have an obligation to explain in no uncertain terms to all customers and would-be-customers the realities of what it takes to succeed on the web.
They need to know that:
Ah, the pain of customers. I found this blog/site through Twitter today and this post immediately reminded me of one of my favourite websites, Clientcopia. Invaluable site, full of venting about silly customers. Ask Google to give you the URL, I don't want to be seen spamming, I guarantee much laughter at the expense of the silly there :)
Posted by Sarah K
Talita-
Thanks for taking the time to write this article.
May I add that though we must let our customers know "in no uncertain terms" that we do so GENTLY. I don't know how many people I have worked with that walk away from a web designer with that look that they've just been run over by a train.
Sure, life on the Internet barely starts once we've 'gone live', but really...be GENTLE! Unless our local designers are just about impressing the newbie with all his knowledge (?)
Posted by Ann L
http://www.SuccessWithHomeBusiness.com
As a web developer and SEO specialist I agree 100% with this post. It is our job to educate and let our clients know what to expect, just because we build a wonderful site there is no guarantee that people will visit. Having a successful website is a collaboration of many aspects from design, informative content, SEO and client participation in the development, marketing and interactivity of the site.
Posted by Dwainia Grey
http://www.greychild.net