Re: FN-FORUM Frightening or what?

date posted 26th June 2002 18:21

>> This organisation suggesting you invest in the web equivalent of a Lada is
>> the one set up by the government to encourage effective use of the
>> internet. Wonderful.

I find the whole thing depressing.

I went to the inaugural meeting of the Durham region's e-business club, set
up by the government funded UK Online initiative.

There was a roomful of people from SMEs around the region

At the end of the meeting, a successful user of e-business was wheeled out
to do a ten minute presentation on his experience. He is a butcher selling
meat packs online.

The main theme of his chat seemed to be don't get ripped off by those nasty
web designers. He had got a range of quotes but thought that £3000 was way
too much for an e-commerce enabled site.

He eventually he found someone who did it much cheaper and (in my opinion)
it shows.

The same guy had earlier told me that it costs about £50k to set up a high
street butchers shop.

I am guessing that he probably drives a car worth at least £20k, which he
will pay a garage £50 per hour to service.

But he thinks that spending £3k on a site which has the potential to earn
him money 24/7 all around the globe is too much.

I suppose it is up to us to do the most professional job we can, charging
realistic rates, justifying the cost of what we do and explaining it in
terms of value for money to the client.

It is difficult though because sadly web design seems to have gained an
image in many people's minds as something they could easily do themselves in
a couple of hours if only they had the time. So why should they waste their
company's hard-earned cash on it?

Perhaps some of you have had different experiences?

Best regards,

Ray

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Ray McGinty Information Design

Specialising in design for data-driven websites
e-commerce and design for print.

http://www.rmid.co.uk