The Website Designer Scam

Ok, so it's happened again!! The audacity of some people never ceases to amaze me. I uncover these scammers, wannabes, whatever you want to call them so regularly you would think they would get blackballed and put out of business. Here's a little scenario to hopefully help you prevent from being ripped off! A website design company, or really someone posing to be such, attends a local networking group such as a BNI group, Chamber of Commerce gathering, Rotary, etc. They schmooze their way around, making sure to gauge the level of understanding of the business owner in all things digital. As they work the room, the narrow their focus to just a few unaware souls so they can devise their attack. Their plan... secure a contract for a new business website! Now, the business owners in their sights are unaware of the scam about to happen. They are honest, hardworking people who just want help from a knowledgable individual to help them with a business website. They are willing to invest the money to get this done but cannot usually invest heavily. So, as the conversation continues over time, days, weeks, etc., the scammer knows who he can consider a great target and he comes in for the kill! Contracts are signed, promises are made, and the business owners has such high hopes for a great, functional website that he/she would be proud to show any propsective client. He's usually been promised that his website will be on page one of the search engines and business will boom! Well, then reality sets in for the business owner. The "website company" often delays and delays work. Sometimes they will use all kinds of reasons as to why things aren't getting done... oh, we have to install software, you didn't send us what we need, etc. Then, there are the design issues. The business owner will send loads and loads of content and photos, go through interviews, etc. and then the "website company" cannot interpret the design concepts. And don't even get me started on getting them to make updates and changes!! Optimization, that's a completely different topic because they never know what optimization even means. I just hope that the small business owner will contact someone like our company for advice before signing up with any website company. This is not just to get a professional opinion, but to also prevent lost time, revenue and many headaches! We have several good, reputable alternatives we can refer them to if they do not want a site built by hibu.