Why are web developers flaky, shady, or worse?

– Robert Kruger 14 May 2010

I was inspired to write this article because a prospect recently asked us this question. To our faces! That’s like asking your attorney why are all lawyers shysters. (Seriously - I would run into a burning building to save my attorney - I consider him a dear friend.)

This topic has come up in conversations with other customers as well, with a more positive spin. Site owners commonly tell us, “This project has gone much smoother than I expected.” After the first project with a new creative agency, we commonly hear, “That went smoother than any web project we have ever done.”

They are really saying the same thing as the less tactful, “Why are all developers unscrupulous?” They are describing their own experiences dealing with developers that have disappointed them in some way.

The idea that all web developers are, at least, a slim bit shady is an undeserved stereotype. Overall, web developers, as a group, have as much diversity as any other group of the population. However, I do think there are some aspects to the business of web development that have contributed to this misconception.

One contributing factor is the low cost of entry into web development. A $500 PC laptop and an interest in the field is all you need to hang out a shingle. It doesn’t take talent or experience or business acumen to claim to be a developer.

I’m not being harsh. It’s true. It’s just like the guy with a beat-up pick-up truck and a single push lawn mower isn’t a landscaping company. Low cost of entry allows people in many fields, not just web development, to start a business. Owning a computer does not make you a good web developer. It certainly isn’t enough to be a results-driven internet business consultant.

The second contributing factor falls on the shoulders of agencies and site owners. The guy with no sense of business or urgency or scruples shouldn’t be able to find work. Their own flakiness, shadiness, or worse, should put them out of business. So how does the bad web developer continue to find work?

I think this may be partly due to the newness of internet business. I know the web has been around for a while, but people have been buying commercial offset printing since Ira Rubel invented paper offset printing in 1903. That’s over 100 years. The marketing communications manager who hires an agency to design a brochure could have grown up around printing, learning from a parent, who learned from their parent. This mar-com manager might spec a brochure like this: 4-color process + 2 spot PMS on uncoated 80# text (B or better; house sheet acceptable, with approval), 8-page self cover with capacity pocket on IBC. That same mar-com manager then hires someone to build a new website, and their spec looks like: we need a new website.

The more you know about something, the easier it is to hire a good vendor in that area. You understand the vendor’s sales presentation, you are able to ask significant questions, you can learn meaningful insight from the vendor’s references, etc. If you don’t understand the vendor’s business, you are left with trusting them to do a good job. If they aren’t trustworthy, you will find out the hard way: with missed deadlines, budget overages, or poor customer service.

It is not true that all web developers are flaky, shady, or unscrupulous, but some are. Do your homework before committing to a technical partner for your web business.

Dialogs Professional Services has been providing technical implementation for web business since 1995. We have great experience, service, processes, and references. We aren’t flaky or shady, and we can prove it! Call us today to see how painless web business can be.