Working on The Web Involves Much More Than What You Might Think

The World Is Like a Collection of Forests

To a person flying over the lush state of Oregon, a forest may look like a large green blob on the ground. While they likely know that trees and other plants that grow there, much more detail is required to say they can truly see and know the forest. A wide variety of plants and animals live there. The soil consistency is complex. Even the area surrounding the forest is part of understanding the its essence and what makes it unique to other forests. Every industry is like a forest, especially to those that are new to it or don't work in the industry at all. But this is especially true when working with websites and other services on the Internet.

Website design, development and other Internet work by its nature connects to many other industries that most others. In fact, that is the entire point of the this kind of work; it connects and unifies the world in way no other industry can. I have heard people give simplistic analogies like "electronic media publication", or "glorified marketing billboards". And its true, the one page website is the most common website a freelancer is likely to be asked to create, though very likely not to accept. While it may seem counterintuitive to turn down work, once you learn the developer's state of mind, its much easier to understand why developers avoid these kinds of jobs.

Today's World Undersells the Internet's Potential

If you approach an experienced web professional to build a single page website, they are likely to tell you they don't have the time for that. While I can't speak to everybody's reasons for this, my personal thinking is that I know the potential of the Internet in ways most business owners cannot even imagine. Beyond ecommerce and marketing, most business owners think that advanced web development is more for businesses built around software rather than building software around the business itself. They believe that a web developer will over complicate their business rather than enhance it.

This stumbling block is one of the most common reasons that business owners see limited success on the web and become disillusioned with the idea of expanding their online presence. And so small businesses that have all the other pieces to wonderful success either fail or dwindle in mediocre performance.

Perhaps this is because most of the websites we visit every day aren't built to their maximum potential. During the course of my career I have wished countless times we could features to company websites and services that the owners didn't see the value of adding. In their minds, it would be too expensive, too time consuming, and too complex to want to think about. Business owners have a lot to think about, so if they cannot see the immediate benefit to an investment they likely are going to not take it.

I have also worked for people like Mark J. Kohler who fully embraced technology and even adapted their businesses to work with the more advanced aspects to bring more to their customers. But these employers continue to be more of an exception than a rule in today's world. During my time as a web developer at EZ-NetTools I saw countless small business owners that could thrive if they just added a more advanced web presence but were too afraid to take that leap. So how do you overcome this with your clients?

Overcoming Client Fears and Concerns

Nobody Cares How Much You Know UNTIL They Know How Much You Care

I once sat in a college lecture at Brigham Young University - Idaho where the professors voice was akin (at least to me) to the droning sound of a car engine. To make matters worse, it was set early in the morning and I had to trek uphill in the frigid cold of Rexburg Idaho to get to it. Once I got there and sat down, I was already in a bad mood. At that point the professor's voice had the magic effect of repeatedly introducing my forehead to the top of my desk. I hated going to that class, and honestly I can't recall most of the content at all. Thankfully, my entire college experience wasn't like that. I have instructors who cared much more.

In about my 8th year of undergrad college (yes you read that right, 8th), I was feeling pretty burnt out and discouraged. We had moved to LDS Business college, now known as Ensign College and I was studying entrepreneurship for the first few weeks of my time there. There was a course taught by Spencer DeGraw, Ph.D. called "Business Technology" or something like that. DeGraw is an animated and enthusiastic person. And while I admit that technology is a very big interest of mine, what made me look forward to his course each day was the way I felt seen and appreciated in his classroom. In fact, Dr. DeGraw is the reason that switched my majors. The invitation was very memorable.

"Come to the dark side (speaking of programming), we have cookies."

I am not kidding when I tell you that I called my wife Lacie Lazenby to ask if she would be ok with me shifting my major AGAIN. Side note, marry somebody who supports you through your journey. My wife is an incredible source of strength for me and I would not be where I am today without her.

I felt so willing to learn from Dr Degraw because of the amount of care I felt from him. I felt valued, listened to, respected. It is much easier to listen to somebody's advice when you feel they have your best interest at heart. So make it a point to learn about your clients needs and value their goals and dreams. Make it clear to them that they are a priority to you and your business.

Shape the Solution Around the Business

A shirt that almost fits almost is worse than a shirt that is far too oversized. At least when a person wears the massive top, people assume it was done on purpose. Even worse, when the a piece of clothing is just barely too tight, people are often repulsed. At least when a pair of shoes is at least 4 sizes too small, a person won't wear them at all. Take these two scenarios apply them to advanced features for a website you're suggesting to a client.

Let's say your specialty is E-Commerce with Connections for Fulfillment of orders. Just summarizing that is a bit of a mouth full. How are you going to get a busy business owner to listen to your solution to a problem? Once you have followed step 1, you need to make them feel excited for what you can do for them. They need to feel like they would be foolish NOT to have you build it into their online presence.

The best way to do this is to listen first, take the time to think, and then present complete and polished ideas. If you feel there is more work to be done for your idea and plan to be fleshed out, its probably not ideal for a client conversation. Another option to consider is to also have more options than for solutions. I prefer this method because it also promotes collaboration and helps you gauge how responsive your client is going to be

Important: Depending on their reaction you might make a point to get as much information about the project and the needed assets so that you can work with their responsiveness level. Keep in mind most business owners have more than your project on their minds, so help them not have to keep coming back to it over and over again.

More Than Even This

It probably is no surprise that this article doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what is involved in professional web and Internet work. I will be writing once every two weeks on this topic and others. If you enjoyed this article, please let me know in the comments and think about following this profile on LinkedIn. Until then, stay curious and productive!