atangen | Dec 27, 2012 | Comments 0
By MIKE ALEXANDER
Mike Alexander
Ten years ago, websites were essentially electronic brochures. Generally built with very basic HTML, a website was an informative snapshot of one?s business or organization.
How things have changed in such a short amount of time! We consume information differently today and websites are more than simply informative.
A brochure may demonstrate an entity?s mission statement with a strategy to achieve that mission. The information does not change frequently so it makes perfect sense that a website, under an electronic brochure format, wouldn?t change much, either.
Today, not only do most of us have websites, but we are also constantly bombarded with expectations to go above and beyond an informative site. We are told that we need mobile sites because by 2016, evidence points to more people viewing mobile sites than traditional websites. We are told that our content must be updated continuously or we will never be found on search engines like Google, Bing or Yahoo.
In addition, we have witnessed a transition from brick-and-mortar business operations to online only or a combination of the two.
In the past, we could get away with minimal Web development from a programmer or Web development company. However, as the Internet and visitors? consumption of online information grows exponentially, our Web development needs have changed.
With the exception of fundamental types of Web development programs such as Microsoft?s Frontpage, individuals would hire developers using proprietary software. Proprietary software is software licensed with exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. In other words, if work needs to be updated on a site, only the proprietary software holder can make the change(s). Each time changes were requested, the software holder charges a substantial fee.
From a free-market standpoint, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Also, in a free-market system, we can all relate to the importance of competition and how the consumer always wins in a competitive market environment. As a result, we experienced the birth of open-source software. Open-source software permits programmers/developers to use, change, improve and/or distribute openly.
Two frustrations when working with businesses or organizations on digital products: They haven?t built a strong business plan and their digital strategy is tied to a family member or friend using proprietary software. Oh the horror stories I have heard over the years! Many times questions arise such as, ?Do I own my Web address (domain name)?? or comments like, ?I have been trying to get a hold of my developer for a change to my site, but she has moved away and I can?t track her down.? Another good one is, ?The developer who built my site says he will not make another change until I pay him $1,000.?
About two years ago, we instituted a program using open-source programming. This enables our customers to have as little or as much control as they choose. Building sites with a Content Management System (CMS) and providing them training on how to run the site is in the best interest of our customers. In this scenario, unlimited changes can be made with no additional cost. In addition, if they want to do business with someone other than us, we turn everything over to them and the transition is almost seamless.
Of course we want to retain our customers, but this is our first step in preventing programmers and Web developers from holding their customers hostage. Who says freedom isn?t free?
Mike Alexander is the Digital Advertising Director for The Coeur d?Alene Press and WSI Media One CDA (cdainternetmarketing.com). He can be reached at malexander@cdapress.com or (208) 664-8176 ext. 1013.
Filed Under: Monthly Focus
Source: http://nibusinessjournal.com/2012/12/dont-let-your-web-developer-hold-you-hostage/
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