Site limbo syndrome
It happens a little too often than I’d like. I build a killer web site for a client; it’s so much better than the site they already have (if they have one at all). I meet with them for their training meeting and show them how to add and edit content. They’re generally happy with how easy it is, and they seem ready to get rocking on their site. And then…
I never hear from them again. And occasionally I’ll go back to the site to see if there’s been any progress on it, but no. And I’ll send them an email or two asking if they need help or if they’re making any progress, and my boss will send the bill for the services which more often than not will get paid, but… the site just won’t progress. It’s in web limbo; fully built, but lacking in content; ready to conquer the world if it just knew what to say.
Sometimes the client comes back and resurrects things to the point where the site is taken live; one such site will likely finally be going live early next week if not sooner. But it seems like maybe as many as a quarter of the sites I build will never see the light of day.
It’s kind of depressing. I’m not really sure if there’s anything I can do about it… Are my training sessions too complicated? Most of the time the clients seem to understand me as I’m doing them… Is it just that the clients find themselves unexpectedly overwhelmed when they come face-to-face with the realization that they will have to do some work on their site, even if that’s what they thought they wanted all along? In my more recent early meetings with clients, before they sign the contract, I’ve been trying to make sure that the clients are absolutely aware of that and its implications; it’s been too soon for results to be conclusive.
Arg.
Comments
Perhaps the problem is that they aren’t assigning anyone to do it, or they are not given on-the-job time to do so which would mean it would have to be done on their own time without pay. I’m not aware of too many employees who are that loyal. In a small company, maybe the boss intends to do it, but usually those guys already work 16+ hours a day.
Hi Garrett;
I can sympathize with you, I have been there done that. That is why we have chosen to provide virtual assistant services and take care of the client’s content ourselves and maybe you should too. We simple do not want to take their money for a web-site and then find out that nothing is being done with it. It’s like having a baby and not feed it. So in our world it’s not an option. 99% of people that want a web-site and say they will keep up with the content are just saying it, out of ignorance. They simple do not understand what it takes. Once they do, they will stop and will not do it because it requires dedication, patience and creativity and their head is in their business. Integrating their web-site into their every day habits requires discipline, focus and relentless pursuit, you are simple asking too much from them, lol
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