I have heard many terrible stories about people getting ripped off by various web developers, so I decided to write this blog to help inform people looking for a website of what to look for when you are considering hiring a developer to create your web presence.
Many people out there are looking for a deal...who isn't? One rule of thumb that should never be ignored is if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. I always recommend prospects to get multiple quotes and compare the outcome and promises of each one against the others. Don't look for the least expensive thing out there; instead look for the best guarantee for the most common amount of money quoted.
Hiring a freelancer can sometimes save you money but that also means you have little to no course of action should that person disappear with your down payment. I always recommend to prospects to hire a firm with a solid business license. Fraudulent business has more strict repercussions in a court of law then a person with no assets. This is not to say that there are not talented, motivated and honest freelancers out there but taking that risk must be calculated with care.
Another major insight to the business worthiness is a legitimate commercial office location. By no means does this mean that people that work from home are not trustworthy but one must question how well the company is doing if they do not have enough overhead to keep a small meeting place for their clients to feel comfortable in. Companies often start as a home based business but growing into an office is a good indicator of a well run operation.
Trusting someone with large amounts of money before you see the product is difficult. That is why it is a good idea to look for a company that will accept a credit card payment or check. When a web company accepts credit cards and/or check payment it is like telling the client, "We are so confident in your satisfaction, we are not worried about issuing a refund if you are unsatisfied; or you initiating a chargeback." NEVER send a blank money order! NEVER send cash! These are red flags that the company you have chosen is a scam.
The final tip I have is ALWAYS obtain a detailed contract signed by both you and the company representative. There may have been a time when a handshake was sufficient but if you want the airtight guarantee that holds up in legal cases, a contract is the best way to achieve this. Without a signed contract, a person/company can make almost any claim they want and it is your word against theirs.
There are many honest, reliable and talented professionals in the web industry that are working hard to earn the trust of their clients. These are just a few things a prospective buyer can look for when they need that extra feeling of reassurance. Best wishes and please check back for more upcoming blogs!
