Morality
In the midst of Covid-19 (Corona Virus), we at JDS WebDesign hope everyone is safe, washing their hands frequently, sneezing and coughing on their elbow, and practicing social distancing. Over the next several weeks, we plan on blogging about making your website more business-friendly. We will have some tutorials on our favorite plugins and features, which will make your site more efficient.
Recently we meet a potential client. The client wanted to create a membership site with live-stream capabilities. The site was going to allow paid members to web chat and live stream with others. As we dug deeper during the planning stages, it became obvious that this was going to be a pornography website. Having a morality clause in our web design contract, this project was terminated. Turning away a five-figure project can be a touch decision for some agencies or freelancers, but it was the right thing for us to do. We had a moral issue.
Do not question your business practices.
How did we get this potential client? We meet on a social media platform. The marketing manager asked us about building a membership-based site. We did not receive any specific information about the services or products, which his site would be offering. This should have been a strong indicator. Something was not right.
As we began to discuss the project, the founder was really just interested in certain features and functionality of the site, like the ability to join the site. Another strong indicator of a potential problem. No concern with cost, timeline, content, or security.
We do not get a pass for this blunder.
Is it the responsibility of a web designer and agency to ask selected questions to a potential client? Or, do we just build out the design? Do we have a moral obligation? This is a really tough question, for most web designers are struggling to keep their doors open.
While it is not a tough question for us, and we are not one to push our values or morals on the next agency and free lancer. We advised the potential client, that creating adult sites is not one of our services. Referring them to several popular job boards. We did not even know any freelance designers, who would create his vision.
Having a lot of experience working with small business owners. If a new start-up approaches us for a web design, then we will be asked about focus (who is your audience), products (what are your services or goods that you are providing), relationship (are you looking for a long or short-term relationship), expectation (what are you expecting to earn in ninety [90] days / six [6] months / one [1] year), and marketing budget (funds not coming from your personal account).
We have advised other web designers to stay away from bidding wars on e-commerce projects. If you are trying to make a living with your website, then focus on the services/delivery dates / past projects/relationships with clients. Remember the Golden Rule… “If it sounds too good, then it probably is..”. Or “not all clients are your clients”, one of my strongest beliefs centers around having GREAT Clients.
We will not take on projects of scrambling clients, there needs to be a sense of focus. Your prospective client should know …
- Who is their audience/clients?
- What are they offering?
- How they are selling their products/services?
- What kind of relationships they will have with their clients?
- How much do they expect to earn?
- What is their marketing budget?
The image is courtesy of Joseph albanese .
JDS WebDesign is a Web Design and Brand Marketing Agency located in Marietta, Georgia. We create AWESOME on line presence for Start-ups and Influential People/Organizations. To learn more about us or how we can help you and your organization, you can contact us or schedule a meeting.
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