On a recent Friday afternoon, I answered a panicked call from a former prospect who hadn’t chosen TFG. (Hard to believe, ain’t it?) Seems the allure of a cheap, sweet-talking freelance programmer had been just too tempting for Mr. Prospect to resist.
A tragic tale of web development gone (very very) wrong.
I must confess that, every once in a while, morbid curiosity had me typing in Mr. Prospect’s current URL to spy on check their progress (or lack thereof). And now 20 months + $20k + one faulty program + half a dozen missed deadlines + zero branding + a handful of lawyers later = he’s baaaaaaaaaaack. And freaking out big time.
To say Mr. Prospect is “up you-know-what creek without a paddle” is putting it mildly. Seems he has a national advertising campaign planned with no product available – and there’s nothing we can do to help.
It didn’t have to happen like this.
My heart broke for him because, from a marketing standpoint, his original idea was a slam-dunk. And he was already way ahead of the game when we first discussed his project (before he blindly followed his Pied Piper programmer over a cliff).
He knew the value of this offering, could explain it in ways clients care about, was crystal-clear about his ideal client(s), knew how to communicate with his prospective market AND refused to rest on his laurels by bringing a game-changing service to market.
Open and shut case, right? Except that he forgot his impressive expertise has nothing to do with managing this (or any other) web programming project.
Programmers can be empty promisers.
Shawn, TFG’s main web muscle, will tell you that programmers are notorious for scoping out a web development project, then declaring to themselves and the client, “I can build you a better mousetrap in world-record time!”
Unfortunately, most of them don’t even come close. Bravado doesn’t matter…your budget does. And crackerjack programmers who code like a Jedi usually focus on delivering the best solution within the promised timeline and budget.
Programmers = short attention spanners.
Too many programmers grow bored with lengthy deliverables. So when your project is more of a marathon than a sprint, you need a stable company to not only protect your vision but get it moved to the launch pad ON TIME. Don’t risk your project by trusting someone who’d rather be playing World of Warcraft than meeting your all-important web development milestones.
At TFG, we’re experts at pain management.
We know you’re busting your hump trying to keep your head above water. But be very careful about the cost equation you choose: savings on an estimate very rarely equal the cost of your time (and your stress). Not to mention the inevitable painful bruises when that failed project brings you to your knees.
Put down the Advil and give TFG a call instead. Because no pain web development is a huge gain. ~ Dacia
