Hillarious but true...
Quote
The Vendor Client relationship - in real world situations
How much do you charge? It's astounding how much I get asked this question before hearing any details on the proposed project in question. Discerning whether the prospect is price shopping, a competitor or truly innocuous of how we work is always a challenge considering there's only one segment of the market where this premature inquiry originates. Let me preface the following by saying to those of you who are interested in website solutions similar to those found on http://www.atlpics.net or http://www.plushblueentertainment.com that I strongly suggest you digest the info on those projects, including the cost which can be found on the Case Studies page. These are not cheap websites built from templates. They are custom built solutions from scratch or utilizing open source technologies and proprietary DH libraries which take considerable time to develop. These systems have some advanced features designed to grow with the client's need so they don't require a significant investment to update their platforms when new capabilities are requested. For the price shoppers...if you have to ask upfront then, we're probably not the firm for you. We bill on time and don't do $500 websites and you're not going to find the quality of work we do anywhere for that price. Try Craig's List but beware, you get what you pay for. That being said, I now see the importance of educating the truly uninitiated on the perspective you should have when evaluating your proposed web project and how you can better help us identify and solve your needs. Website = Your Vehicle = Your Car You should approach your web based initiatives in the same method as you would when buying a car. Both are investments worth considerable scrutiny when purchasing as an income producing asset and the customer experience is almost exactly similar - minus the high pressure sales tactics and doubletalk. It's also a good point worth mentioning that you will not be in the market for a Bugatti while only possessing Hyundai money. Before you step onto a dealers lot, you will have done exhaustive research. You already have in mind a budget for which you can afford. When done correctly, you'll already have in mind exactly what you want. You have two options available to you - either the dealer has the car with the exact options and accessories desired on the lot, or you can order direct from the factory. It's only at that point where you can effectively price shop for that dream vehicle. You will so knowledgeable and well prepared to discuss and negotiate that all to important purchase with the sales rep. It's ironic that when the subject of budget is broached by the car sales rep that you'd freely volunteer the bottom line price range you expect but, neglect or purposely withhold that key piece of data when our customer sales reps inquire initially. The reason we ask upfront is the same...we don't like having our time wasted nor enjoy wasting yours. So, if we have an idea of what you're willing to spend, we can propose the optimal solution based on your budget. Mr. GoodWrench Web applications and their maintenance, like cars are equally a mesh of parts and labor. The only difference is most of the time the parts are built with the same labor involved with building or maintaining the vehicle. Something else that rings true is that the charges for both is associated with the make and model of vehicle purchased. Doesn't make much sense to buy a Ferrari if you can't afford the maintenance. A car on the lot equates with template websites versus custom built sites from the developer. Template designs are ready-made products that can be used as a basis for fast and high-quality websites. Costs range from non-exclusive licensing, where it may be more affordable but, you don't own nor are entitled to rights to the source and the chances are someone else has also purchased the same design, to a usually higher unique price that includes accessing more rights to ownership. However, you may still want to take it to an after-market customization shop to pimp your ride. Custom built sites are derived from scratch or kits (SDK's), involved a considerable amount of time, expertise and planning to pull off. Hence, the higher price tag. In these solutions, we work diligently to deliver exactly what you expect from your project. Usually, there's a process of gathering your requirements and business goals to be obtained with the solution and preliminary scoping work to lock down requested features and components. A lot of detail and analysis is done upfront to save on costly mistakes, missed deadlines and overall stress on both sides. So much more I could include but, this is just to get you to start thinking about the process involved with the project you're embarking. However, when you engage us to design and develop a web solution, you'll be intimately involved and well educated on what to expect from us. Darris HoskinsDigital Media Architect443.854.2069 (DC, MD, VA) http://mix1digital.ning.comhttp://twitter.com/darrishoskinshttp://darrishoskins.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/darrishoskinshttp://www.facebook.com/people/Darris-Hoskins/674648445
How much do you charge?
It's astounding how much I get asked this question before hearing any details on the proposed project in question. Discerning whether the prospect is price shopping, a competitor or truly innocuous of how we work is always a challenge considering there's only one segment of the market where this premature inquiry originates.
Let me preface the following by saying to those of you who are interested in website solutions similar to those found on http://www.atlpics.net or http://www.plushblueentertainment.com that I strongly suggest you digest the info on those projects, including the cost which can be found on the Case Studies page. These are not cheap websites built from templates. They are custom built solutions from scratch or utilizing open source technologies and proprietary DH libraries which take considerable time to develop. These systems have some advanced features designed to grow with the client's need so they don't require a significant investment to update their platforms when new capabilities are requested.
For the price shoppers...if you have to ask upfront then, we're probably not the firm for you. We bill on time and don't do $500 websites and you're not going to find the quality of work we do anywhere for that price. Try Craig's List but beware, you get what you pay for.
That being said, I now see the importance of educating the truly uninitiated on the perspective you should have when evaluating your proposed web project and how you can better help us identify and solve your needs.
Website = Your Vehicle = Your Car
You should approach your web based initiatives in the same method as you would when buying a car. Both are investments worth considerable scrutiny when purchasing as an income producing asset and the customer experience is almost exactly similar - minus the high pressure sales tactics and doubletalk. It's also a good point worth mentioning that you will not be in the market for a Bugatti while only possessing Hyundai money.
Before you step onto a dealers lot, you will have done exhaustive research. You already have in mind a budget for which you can afford. When done correctly, you'll already have in mind exactly what you want. You have two options available to you - either the dealer has the car with the exact options and accessories desired on the lot, or you can order direct from the factory. It's only at that point where you can effectively price shop for that dream vehicle. You will so knowledgeable and well prepared to discuss and negotiate that all to important purchase with the sales rep.
It's ironic that when the subject of budget is broached by the car sales rep that you'd freely volunteer the bottom line price range you expect but, neglect or purposely withhold that key piece of data when our customer sales reps inquire initially. The reason we ask upfront is the same...we don't like having our time wasted nor enjoy wasting yours. So, if we have an idea of what you're willing to spend, we can propose the optimal solution based on your budget.
Mr. GoodWrench
Web applications and their maintenance, like cars are equally a mesh of parts and labor. The only difference is most of the time the parts are built with the same labor involved with building or maintaining the vehicle. Something else that rings true is that the charges for both is associated with the make and model of vehicle purchased. Doesn't make much sense to buy a Ferrari if you can't afford the maintenance.
A car on the lot equates with template websites versus custom built sites from the developer. Template designs are ready-made products that can be used as a basis for fast and high-quality websites. Costs range from non-exclusive licensing, where it may be more affordable but, you don't own nor are entitled to rights to the source and the chances are someone else has also purchased the same design, to a usually higher unique price that includes accessing more rights to ownership. However, you may still want to take it to an after-market customization shop to pimp your ride.
Custom built sites are derived from scratch or kits (SDK's), involved a considerable amount of time, expertise and planning to pull off. Hence, the higher price tag. In these solutions, we work diligently to deliver exactly what you expect from your project. Usually, there's a process of gathering your requirements and business goals to be obtained with the solution and preliminary scoping work to lock down requested features and components. A lot of detail and analysis is done upfront to save on costly mistakes, missed deadlines and overall stress on both sides.
So much more I could include but, this is just to get you to start thinking about the process involved with the project you're embarking. However, when you engage us to design and develop a web solution, you'll be intimately involved and well educated on what to expect from us.
Darris HoskinsDigital Media Architect443.854.2069 (DC, MD, VA) http://mix1digital.ning.comhttp://twitter.com/darrishoskinshttp://darrishoskins.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/darrishoskinshttp://www.facebook.com/people/Darris-Hoskins/674648445