The Problems with Freelance Web Designers and One Man Bands

freelance developer spalding

New clients in areas such as Spalding, Holbeach, Peterborough or Boston always come with new stories. Unfortunately, they often sounds quite familiar. Many clients have already worked with a developer before, a freelancer. Perhaps having even worked with a developer they were originally very happy with. In the end, there’s a number of problems that inevitably arise. We’ve tried to narrow it down to just a few:

  1. Poor Quality Work – It’s hardly a surprise that scarcely qualified developers working in their spare time aren’t able to meet the same quality expectations of many potential clients. It’s very often what’s happening behind the scenes that reveals this. For example, one of our new clients had found that their beautifully designed website was not hitting the rankings as they had hoped. After we had moved it onto one of our servers, we quickly discovered that this is because the website was clearly rushed together in the shortest possible time. Often, all of the developer’s effort goes in to the look of the website. This is likely because they are not specialists in the field, but enthusiasts.
  2. Missing Deadlines – Other commitments are a big problem with freelancers and one man band website designers. One might wonder why an expert would not start establish a company on the back of a good reputation. This rarely happens because they are committed to other companies or even entirely different jobs. There are exceptions of course, but in general this tendency of missing deadlines is very common. In the experience of many of our clients, these individuals undercut the competition and start with overwhelming enthusiasm but that rapidly becomes irrelevant as soon as another commitment comes along. Specifically consider the need to upgrade or update a quality website in order to achieve the best possible results, even if the developer does publish the website on time.
  3. The Freelancer Disappears – Yes, this is a horror story you’ve probably heard before. This is commonly known because it is so frequent. The lack of commitment and often poor reputation mean a one man band can do even better by leaving the area without saying a word. This can leave your business in a VERY tricky situation, especially if your website is not yet finished. Now suppose the developer is still very keen and wants to continue to support your business long term, it’s still not what you had bargained for. You can’t drop in or get a quick response, you’re just locked in to a very fragile arrangement.

Exceptions exist and we are confident that you’ll make decisions that are right for your business, but keep the above problems in mind if you’re considering a freelance website developer. If you’re looking to move your website to a local company with a commitment to every client then we would be very happy to help.

What Are the Benefits of a Blog?

blogging

Continuous fresh content will mean Google needs to regularly index your site and is also a consideration when Google decides how to rank your website in search results. If your website doesn’t contain a lot of content, or any fresh content, a blog would be the perfect way to achieve this while also target specific keywords.

While it isn’t easy to commit to a blog, keep in mind that it may only be a weekly or biweekly update that is all you need to start increasing visitors. If don’t know where to start, try creating a list of different content opportunities. We regularly suggest using testimonials as blog posts, as they usually contain excellent keywords but also don’t require any writing time for the blogger. You can also use events, industry news and business changes.

How does this bring a return in visitors? As well as ranking new pages into Google, a good blog psot can also receive social media shares and links from other websites. All of this will also increases your ‘Domain Authority’, where Google considers your site a higher authority than your competition.

If you would like more information or a quote to get set up with a blog, or for us to blog for you, give us a call on 01775 761512.

Charity Website Built On Behalf of Holbeach Cemetery Chapels Trust

Drive By Websites was delighted to be awarded the contract to build the website on behalf of the Charity; Holbeach Cemetery Chapels Trust. The website we designed is a multi-page, mobile friendly brochure style website which also includes a Community Events Calendar and a News (blog) page – www.holbeachcemeterychapels.org.uk

There are two chapels at Holbeach Cemetery. One is Church of England and the other is Non-Conformist. Both were built in 1854. The chapels are surrounded by a six acre cemetery.  There are also some very fine monuments commemorating some of the area’s leading families and figures. Funding has been made available to refurbish the buildings and to find a use for the chapels to benefit the whole community.

holbeach-cemetery-chapels-resized-2

A visit to Holbeach Cemetery Chapels will also reward you with views of some splendid architecture and a reminder in respect of how lives and death were celebrated and dignified by our ancestors.

holbeach-cemetery

The work of the Charity relies on the support of volunteers.  The voluntary roles include:

  • Members of the Board of Trustees and Advisory Committee all working in a voluntary capacity
  • Volunteers who manage the administration and undertaking of the Holbeach Cemetery Research Group
  • Individual volunteers who help with one-off events such as the Heritage Open Day and/or The Great Big Community Textile Project
  • Volunteers who help with such things as event administration and fundraising

The Holbeach Cemetery Chapels Trust is funded by the Heritage Lottery, the Architectural Heritage Fund, Heritage Lincolnshire County Council and the Gedney Marsh Windcluster Fund.

For more information in respect of mobile friendly websites, please feel free to contact Spalding based Drive By Websites

Website for residential care home in Holbeach, Lincolnshire

Drive By Websites has recently been busy in the design and build of a website on behalf of a residential care home in Holbeach, the Holbeach & East Elloe Hospital Trust – http://www.holbeach-hospital.org.uk

Holbeach & East Elloe Trust

The Trust was formed in 1988 because South Lincolnshire Health Authority announced their intention to close the hospital.   Rather than face closure, the local community leaders got together and worked with the health authority to find a way to save the hospital from closure.

The hospital is now a registered charity (701458) and receives support from the local community, more especially from The League of Friends.  The League of Friends has a fund raising shop in Holbeach.

The Trust provides six beds which are available for use by local GPs. There are also an additional 33 nursing home beds.  Not only does the hospital offer residential care but nursing, respite and day care too.

If you would like to know more about the Trust or to make a donation, then please call 01406 422283.

We’ve had fun building this site and we’re delighted with the design which we think complements the branding perfectly.

Holbeach & East Elloe Hospital Trust Logo

If you would like more information in respect of website development or website design, then please free free to give us a call on 01775 761512 – you will find Drive By Websites and Drive By Design professional, affordable and easy to get along with.

 

 

Anglian Water Sewer Connections Website

Drive By Websites has recently designed and built a mobile friendly website on behalf of Jack Tyrrell Contractors based in Holbeach.

The business – Tyrrell Contractors Ltd – was started by Jack Tyrrell’s grandfather back in 1936.  As you can  appreciate, a family owned civil engineering company, with a wealth of knowledge behind it – three generations, in fact.

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