Selling Behavior of Website Design Companies? – Get Started – SitePoint Forums

Hi, I’m new to having a website created for my personal project and I’m not very “technical” at all.

I’ve been trying to decide on a company and did so several weeks ago. I’ve told them several times the past 2 months that I am waiting for foundation funding until around July. Just last week they are pressuring for up-front money to save the pricing they gave me (pretty good) because the influx of projects is forcing them to schedule work, and I may lose my place and pricing if I don’t make an initial payment. Hi pressure tactics.

I like the company, thought they will do a great job, but I was wondering if this is a natural pattern of behavior of these high-tech companies, or may it indicate something negative for our future relationships as we move forward with my project. ANY insights will be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks so much!!

Sincerely,
Paul

I’m not sure if that’s fair or not, but I wouldn’t deal with a company that did that to me. It’s not as if it’s suddenly getting more expensive to do this work, so it’s basically a threat. If they have so much work, it shouldn’t matter if it’s taking a while for you to get ready. It seems to me like they’re using the old “Hurry!” advertising catch phrase — which instantly guarantees that I’ll turn my back on them.

There are thousands of great web design providers out there, so you’re spoilt for choice. I guess the only issue is how soon you need things to get started. I guess that could be seen as a viable argument for them if they’re reserving a spot for you; but again, if they have so much work, that’s not their problem, but really yours.

Hi ralphm,

Thank you for your insights and feelings, they give me more support for the decisions I’ll have to make in the next 1-2 days. I think I will give them my demands (a written contract) before I send any money, and/or that I really want to work with them, but if they want the same, they’ll have to wait until mid-July when I probably will get funding. I’ll show them a photo of a check written out to them while a wait for a written contract. If they are working in good-faith, they’ll do it.

I feel like you, I don’t like this from a company. Lack of respect and recognition, that I don’t have capital like a business, saved up for a website. They know I’m applying for funding, and I’ve received the positive nods from the foundation, but still this website company is pushing like this.

Thanks so much again!

Paul

These days, it’s called FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) pressurization.

“We cant guarantee these prices if you dont pay us now”… “So… what will you charge me next month when I need my site updated?”

If the company is that strained that they can’t guarantee their availability, I would be concerned about their ability to be responsive to additional needs that may arise as part of the project. I’d be extremely more concerned if they’re talking about hosting it themselves, because support will be a major issue if they are so stressed.

I’d be leery of a company that needed to employ these tactics – why are they unable to sign a contract today to do the work at a specified point in the future, that locks in the pricing for a given period? They aren’t doing the work ahead of time, so it’s no cost to them in terms of labor, they’ve got a specific date to start the work (and get payment) so they’ve got a theoretical guaranteed payday in the future…

I’d be cautious. And if they continue the FoMO, I’d walk away.

Hi ralphm,

Thank you for your insights and feelings, they give me more support for the decisions I’ll have to make in the next 1-2 days. I think I will give them my demands (a written contract) before I send any money, and/or that I really want to work with them, but if they want the same, they’ll have to wait until mid-July when I probably will get funding. I’ll show them a photo of a check written out to them while a wait for a written contract. If they are working in good-faith, they’ll do it.

I feel like you, I don’t like this from a company. Lack of respect and recognition, that I don’t have capital like a business, saved up for a website. They know I’m applying for funding, and I’ve received the positive nods from the foundation, but still this website company is pushing like this.

Thanks so much again!

Paul

Hi m_hutley

Thanks so much for your advice. Yes, I’ll offer my ultimatums and consider another company, actually much closer to me in Chicago. I find it this pressure-selling behavior very unsettling. It’s been very difficult, with the low-level of technical savvy I possess, to choose a company. However, insights like yours help!

Sincerely,
Paul

Random thoughts, since you’re new to this:

• At most I’d pay half up front and half on completion of the contract (presumably this is when the site is up and running on a public server, ready to go)
• Who “owns” the developed software and domain at completion? (better be YOU)
• Are there ongoing maintenance costs, what are they?
• Are they going to create a specification or scope document for you to approve before moving forward with development?
• Who is generating the content (text, images) for the web site?
• What is the delivery date of the completed site, and what happens if they’re late?

I’m not looking for you to answer these here, just suggesting they are good things to have in that contract, whomever you chose as the developer.