One of the main situations I see when business owners in when they are thinking about updating their site is a current website that was built by a “friend”. There are so many things that can go wrong with this picture.
Don’t get me wrong, if your friend builds websites professionally then by all means please have them do it. However if this is a side gig for him then that is a concern. Here are a few reasons why you should hire your friends:
1.There is no Contract Sign (anything goes)
When you are getting a website done by a friend most of the time there is no contract sign. The main purpose of a contract (when it comes to building a website) is to make sure both parties are on the same page when it comes to what is on the site. Do both of you know what functions, what colors, what content and what type of designs are going to be on the site. Your friend could be building you a website based on a 10 minute conversation you guys had on what could “look cool” however when it’s built it wasn’t exactly what you had in mind. On the other hand you could keep coming up with different ad-ons and your friend my get tired of the constant revisions which could lead to the last reason on our list.
2. Control
When your friend is doing your website there is no formal talk about who is hosting the website or who is buying the domain name.
I always advise my clients to buy their own domain name. Reason being is, no matter how much trust I’ve built over the years I always want my client to have control of the one thing that is most important- the domain name. Think about it… your domain name is on your business cards, your signs and maybe even your building! If someone else were to have control of that what could the potential damage be?
Everything is great when it comes to friends, but what if there is a big altercation? What could that person potentially do to that domain name?
3. Time
Again, going back to the 1st reason, since there is no contract there is no obligation. In business timing is everything. If you’re going to release a new product, have a marketing plan going or simply just want to update our site the timing of when this site is going to be up will be important. When you are dealing with your friend most of the time your site isn’t his main priority, and why would it be? You’re his friend. If you don’t do it right away there’s no big deal to him. Having a quick turn around time is a motivator for people with a reputation to keep. To that professional the only credibility they have to you is this website so they have to make it count. For your friend this isn’t the case at all, which could cost you in the long run.
4. You Risk Your Friendship
This is the main reason. If one of the 3 reasons above comes to pass there could be some potential altercations that happen. The worst thing that can happen is your friend doesn’t deliver due to unprofessional-ism. What happens is not only is your website not complete (or looking sloppy), you can potentially loose a friend at the same time! People don’t mean to loose friends or get into serious altercations however when it comes to your business, something you put your heart and soul in, you can’t help but to be passionate in either direction.
Again, I’m not saying to not hire a friend at all. If they are professional and do legitimately do website then please go for it. What I’m saying is if you are looking for your friend to do your website because it is convenient financially is a recipe for disaster! I’ve seen it many times and want you to avoid this pitfall.