What Is a Web Developer ?
Posted by Alex | Filed under Articles, Business, General, Internet Marketing
What is a Web Developer ? What a Weird Question ?
Well not really…
Over the past 12 months of working in Online marketing I’ve met and, sometimes worked with, lots of different web developers. Some are 1 man operations and others are larger organisations with many Designers, Developers and Project Managers. They are all unique in the way they sell, design and implement Websites making it very difficult to decide whom to employ for a certain project - and I have an understanding of the Internet and Websites - it must be terrible to the average web site buyer who doesn’t have any way to differentiate between developers offers.
To try and find I thought I really should define what a Web Developer actually is.
The mighty Wikipedia says :
A web developer is a software developer or software engineer who is specifically engaged in the development of World Wide Web applications, or distributed network applications that are run over the HTTP protocol using an HTTP server, a web server, and an HTTP client, a web browser. Web developers can be webmasters who handle website administration and web design as well as web application development or can simply be web application developers. Web developers are formally in charge of web development within their respective organizations or also as freelance software developers.
Great. So basically they make Websites… But when someone buys a website do they really want a website ? Probably. but more often than not, there is a much deeper more important reason.. They want Sales ! and more Sales = more Money.
Unfortunately the Wikipedia entry doesn’t mention that they should posses any skills in Sales, Marketing, Website behaviour, Copywriting, Graphic Design or Usability. Luckily I scrolled down to the Misconceptions Section:
As is often misunderstood by the layperson, a Web Developer does not always create graphics, logos, or identity, or create written, video, or audio content for a website, however some do. Web Designers, Web Copy Editors and Web Content Creators are different from Web Developers.
Phew - maybe if we follow the links all will become clear……
Web Designers - Takes you to a really long and rubbish page on Web Design Web Copy Editor - Doesn’t Exist Web Content Creators - Just a page on web content.
This isn’t going to work - so here’s my thoughts on how a website should be born and who should be the parents.
1) The Website Owner - The person actually buying the website. Their input is key to the project. But if they aren’t too web-savy the only input they really need to give is what they want the website to do! What goals and targets do they have? How is this a tool to help grow their business ?
2) The Internet Marketing Professional - This person will be an expert in their field with a good understanding of Pay-Per-Click, SEO and everything to do with converting Visitors into something useful (e.g. a sale or sign up). They’ll offer input on navigation, layout, landing pages and overall design. They may even be backed up an usability expert. Without the input of a good Internet Marketer the chances of the website actually working are slim.
3) The Web Designer - The Web Designer is there to make it look good (and good can mean simple and clean) , choose good imagery and generally do the aesthetics. They should be creative, artistic and have a flair for design. A good designer is rarely very technical. They will be guided and briefed by the Internet Marketing Professional to ensure design, usability and functionality are all in perfect harmony.
4) The Web Developer - The Web Developer makes it all works - they’re the true techie of the project with an in-depth understanding of programming, coding and other cool technical stuff.
5) Project Manager - When you have a group of people working on something you usually need someone to coordinate it. This person could be the Website Owner, if they have the time and skills or one of the other members of the team.
Now one person can’t be all these things - you have to have more than one person when making a web site, and more importantly you need the right people to help you make the site you need!
Why have a private ID eBay auction?
Posted by Alex | Filed under General, eBay
Browsing around looking for a few eBooks on eBay the other day I noticed that some auctions are private. This means you can’t see the other bidders eBay user IDs. I’m guessing the reason for this it to stop other sellers coming in and “poaching” their bidders.
Weird.
Please comment on this post if you can think of any other reasons…
We’re Planning A Revolution !
Posted by Alex | Filed under Business, General, Google, Internet Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Yahoo!
A Revolution is coming - and we’re going to start it.
At the moment Web Designers Sell Web Sites in the wrong way. They sell website as if it was a box of flyers or some printed brochures or some other static “when its finished, its finished” kind of product. But a website isn’t a box of flyers or some brochures - it’s a website - and the best thing about a website is that it can react to it’s market quickly by changing to match it’s visitors needs.
At the moment it usually works something like this…
1) Web Designer Quotes for Site (normally under priced)
2) Customer Accepts Quote.
3) Proofs, design, and build happens.
4) Customer Signs off
5) Invoice Raised
6) Invoice Paid
7) End of Relationship
We think it should probably be more like this…
1) Web Designer Quotes for a 3 - 6 Month Relationship with a monthly fee
2) Customer Accepts Quote
3) In the First Month Proofs, Design and Build Happens
4) In subsequent months, working with Internet Marketers, Stats and Figures are interpreted to make educated design decisions
5) Happy Ongoing Relationship continues
6) As Website improves and starts to perform everyone shares the benefits
We believe that our new way of thinking will result in Happy Web Developers that will actually Like talking and working with their happy customers.
Resistance is Futile!
More info coming very soon…
