Rant 001 for 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
I've been told I've gone soft and that my blog doesn't have the same ire and anger that were so prevalent in the early years! Maybe that's because I'm a little older and calmer. Perhaps it's to do with the fact that I now know that some things take time in this country (broadband connections, clients paying for work done well, etc.). But a couple of people have commented or blogged about how the early years featured a lot more me giving out about things and I think it's time to address this. I'd like you all to know that I'm still as opinionated as ever, and in the coming weeks I'll be sharing some more of this with you.
First off I'd like to ask a question: do you think web design is a skill? Has web development moved to the professional realms yet? Or is it still a necessary evil that you're not willing to pay for? (the old 'my nephew is just out of college and he knows a bit about websites' syndrome).
Cos I don't think so...
Of course I think creating a website and online strategy is something that must be done professionally. It takes skill, time, talent, love, and lots and lots of creativity. I just don't think that many people in Ireland think the same way. And so I present below my Top 3 Impediments to an Easy Website Redesign:
- Content Clutter - at the start of a project, people always want to remove lots of the surplus clutter that doesn't get read. They get it when we say that people read 25% less online. They nod their heads when we suggest pared down content for home pages. Then when it comes to content delivery time, they get scared, and do a dump of all their existing content and a bit more.
- Cold Feet - this can happen in relation to design and functionality. When we meet, they're all up for doing something new. They brief us in to deliver edgy new stuff, and when we do, they get scared and ask for white background, images of chess pieces or people on phones. Same old same old. Similarly, the idea of adding a blog instead of a dull and boring 'company news' page or video content instead of yet more pdf tat gets cast aside. Cold feet has killed many a delightful new design.
- Losing Momentum - we meet, they want their site and they need it fast. We rise to the challenge and aim to deliver and pull out all the stops to get it done. Everyone's in agreement on the milestones and recognise the need to be speedy in the feedback if we are all to pull our weights and do what it takes to meet the client imposed tight deadline. And then what happens? Nothing. The home page design gets signed off and the client mysteriously disappears. Busy busy not able to look at anything. Project languishes. Weeks pass. Site goes live half a year after it begun, featuring an abundance of content, no risks taken, all of the above.
Please don't get paranoid if you're a Brightspark client. This is not about you. This is a general moan. It's about everyone else. It's not meant to offend, but I do want to inject a little bit of the real me back into this blog. And the real me is a bit moaney, especially on a Monday morning. Come back on Friday when I'll be posting about flowers blooming in April!
Labels: cold feet, content clutter, losing momentum