Honesty can be an expensive policy
Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

the plot

I was asked to pitch for some work the other day.  The client and I got on very well and he showed me round his delightful premises.  Masses of visual potential for filming I thought and made copious notes.  What will it cost?  I told him that I would work out a budget and check his existing website.  Later that day I looked at his website.  Bad doesn’t come close to describing it. It was severely undercooked. And even though he got a grant the design still cost him thousands. I wrote a friendly email saying his first priority should be to update his website so that his customers would find him more easily on-line.  Multi-media content could always be added later. I sent a second email with lots of design and usability tips. I sent a third email warmly recommending a couple of excellent local designers.   No replies or returned calls. I think I upset him.  Sadly, I don’t think his is the only under-performing, overpriced website out there.