It’s sadly common to hear website owners complain that their web designers take too long to make changes, charge too much money for small updates, and generally don’t give good value. Too many designers attempt to hold their clients hostage by one means or another, such as making it technically difficult for owners to manage their website themselves, or by registering domains in their own name rather than that of the client. Often they’ll create a site for a seemingly bargain price, then milk the client by charging an ongoing fee that’s out of proportion to any service they provide.

Such practices border on scams, in my view. These designers prey on ignorant clients and take advantage of them, rather than providing the impartial advice they need to make informed decisions. They give the industry a bad name. So what should we do about this unhappy state of affairs? Well, I have an idea.
(more…)