Many times when I deal with clients it's often because I've been called in for an emergency. I'm contacted through our referal network on good recommendation that Unleashed Technologies can help save a project that's in dire straights. This often comes from strategic partners where we work as sub-contractors and also directly with the client.

Engaging in these meetings I see good people unaware of the pitfalls surrounding web related projects especially in terms of what's being promised, timelines for delivery, costs, and capabilities. They're trapped and looking for a way out of the website nightmare they've gotten themselves caught in. I thought it would be a good idea to compile a list of items you should be cautious of and also good signs that can give you confidence in who your selecting as your partner. Selecting a web firm (depending on the project) will typically turn into a long term engagement for better or worse.

When Selecting a Web Firm as Your Partner Be Wary Of...

1. Anyone reluctant to provide you with past performance, case studies, and client testimonials. This seems like a no brainer but be wary of the charismatic business owner or salesman. Often times they'll keep this on the back burner staying focused on proposals. In every proposal we produce we provide examples we feel are relevant, information about that client, and offer a list of no less than three references with full contact information for the potential client to follow up with. It's also never a bad idea to look at the web firms website and do a "cold call" on a reference that wasn't listed.
2. The over promise with the under deliver. Don't let them convince you into something you know isn't possible. This most often comes up with regards to pricing and timelines for completion. If you've got a website that needs to be built from the ground up, you'll save money using any number of technology solutions available on the market today but don't be fooled by the song and dance. There is no software that automates good, creative, and goal driven design. This process will require thorough review. If you know your website is going to be say, 50 pages or more you can assume it will take at least an hour per page to give that content the right love and affection it needs. This is especially true when addressing landing pages or container pages that provide short descriptions to other services or extendend information. If they quote you a timeline of three weeks for a $3000 you can rest assured your getting exactly what you've paid for. Alot of nothing backed with poor service, missed deadlines, and a sub par product that's going to be unrecoverable monies.
3. Anybody that can't provide you an organizational chart or resumes of those that would be working on your project. Be wary of the "find resources on award of contract" web firm. This is a very dangerous recipe especially if custom web development work needs to take place. Once that work is completed the internal staff (if any) of the web firm will have no idea how to fix or make modifications to your new website. In addition, your project could be handed off to an unqualified and uneducated individual with no industry experience. Require that they have an organizational chart to show you with key positions, make sure they're represented by title of the position and the people currently holding those positions. Demand resumes or past performance of any person working on your project. If they can't produce this information then you've got a real issue on your hands, end the conversation right then and there.
4. The Capabilities King. This charismatic person selling you on their firm is evidentally capable of anything you have.. that's odd because it's a small web firm of four people. In the website and web application world there is a myriad of platforms, languages, technologies, design tools, and techniques that just may not be on the resume of the web firm your interviewing. Let me start by saying that depending on your needs this may not be a disqualifier but be wary of anyone that LIES about there capabilities of there web firm. You can usually tell by requesting work examples done in whatever particular technology you're looking for. If no examples can be produced then you should be concerned IF they've said they have "extensive experience" or are "experts" in a particular service your looking for.
5. Anyone that can quote you for your project without understanding anything about it. This is very common and the truth in developing websites that have any real return on investment is that you simply can't put together any type of proposal, quote, or next steps without a certain amount of base information. Any web firm that says we can build your website for "x" without even knowing why, when, and how isn't a credible player in this industry. The firm you engage from the beginning should be asking you many questions about your projects and often times should stump you and refuse to offer pricing before understanding your needs today and for the future.

Ok, so we've covered some basic material on what to watch out for but what about the positive signs? It's not all doom and gloom, finding a great web firm is certainly a reality and there are many of us out there. Selection in the end is up to you, trust your gut, but make sure you verify. Here are some good signs that your dealing with a web firm that's experienced and understands the world of enterprise website development very well.

Get exciting about a web firm that...

1.  Will tell you that you deadlines might not be realistic for your project. Nobody likes to hear this but more importantly nobody wants to tell you that either. It takes an integrity firm to sit with you, understand the scope of your project, and then tell you that although you want it in four weeks time the reality of the situation is that it will take you two months to complete this. It's not what you want to hear but they want to appropriately manage your expectations as it relates to their web firm and delivering on what they're willing to commit to. This could be a disqualifier of that firm for you and another may be able to complete the project within your desired time frame but as it pertains to them, they've been up front and honest with you.
2. Will admit that they don't have experience in a particular service. This is clearly the inverse of my things to watch out for in the "we do everything under the sun" scenario listed above. Just because a web firm may have not worked with a particular technology before that you've got implemented and MUST use, doesn't mean they don't feel comfortable working with it. By telling you up front that their experience set is limited they'll follow up with their comfort level in adopting it and making your final product within a reasonable timeline. Don't expect your web firm to know everything. It's not reasonable with all of the terrific software out there, expect them to tell you if they're comfortable adopting it, working with it, and growing with you. It's possible they may want to take a peak under the hood before giving you an answer on whether they feel its feasible for them to work with it. If it's not confidential information or you've already got a mutual non-disclosure agreement in place don't be afraid to let their technical staff take a look. You could save yourself a world of hurt in the long run.
3. Is proactive with ideas and solutions for your business goals or issues. During your first meeting in talking about the project you want to make sure that the people representing the web firm are proactive and freely communicating with you on ideas on how your business goals can be met. They should have a positive energy about them and not in that annoying HGTV home remodeling reality TV show kind of way. It should be focused on resolving your issues and getting feedback on their thoughts as it relates to your business goals. Expect your web firm to want to thoroughly understand your business, it's model, and why it works.
4. Will freely discuss the financial aspects of your project with you. Making sure your right for each other is a very important step in the mating dance of creating a long term relationship with a valuable web partner. If you have a budget, you don't have to give exact numbers but let the web firm know what your working with from a high level perspective. This has everything to do with positioning and take a moment to feel out the web firm during the course of the discussion. If they jump right to the budget before hearing more about your project then don't share it. They aren't interested in what your pain is, they're more focused on the dollars they'll collect for it. On the flip side of that is if you have a productive meeting on a project that's got enough details not to require a discovery phase share with them the ballpark in which your looking to receive proposals. You can save yourself from wasting time and theirs as well. In the web services business you can have a project that has a $20,000 budget and four different firms will give you wildly different quotes. The qualifying factors for price in the web business are often decided by reputation, experience, the plan for success (technologies can affect price significantly either way), overhead, and much more. Unlike other industries that have standardized pricing, web firm's find value you in the services they provide very differently from the next.

While there truly are many more tell tale signs for both what's beneficial and what could end up costing you dearly, these are the basic rules that should get you to a good starting point in selecting your next long term partner for teaming opportunities, your company website, or long term web application development projects. I'm always available to anyone looking to understand more about the process and how to better protect themselves. You can contact me via email.