Would You Develop And Launch A Site Like This?

6 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
  • |
Hi Everyone,

We have been asked by a 15 year old website to help them with their web presence. The website is for news...it would fit into the magazine/publication/news category. Their primary revenue stream comes from advertisers.

After we started to dig into this project we were shocked that in 2015 a website would be launched with the following not being planned or implemented.

Quick background

Client's new website was just launched in April 2015 and they spent over $20,000 to get the below problems. The company owner is 60 years old and not tech, web, or digital savvy. The web development firm has been working with them for nearly the entire time of their existence, therefore, they are more than familiar with the owner's understanding of this industry.

Issues Identified

Website is not mobile friendly
Website is missing structured data
Website is written in table based code
Website is missing a complete XML sitemap. Was finally created 3 months later and using a free sitemap generator with missing information.
Website is missing OGP and is not social community friendly
Website is a basic two column theme...old style narrow width
Website is does not have SEF URL's
Google Analytics code was not installed at the time of launch. It happened 3 months later.
301 Redirects were not setup for thousands of web pages. Original website had over 22,000 pages indexed by Google.
UX and UI featured were not planned or developed for a magazine/publication website. Client was not necessarily advised as part of this project plan.
Website is built in ASP on MS IIS 8.0 server
While this might be controversial for some...the website does not meet W3C compliance either (let's call this icing on the cake).

Your Thoughts

Would you launch a client's website in this fashion? Would you recommend this type of site to your client? Web developers, designers and/or marketers, please share your opinions.
#develop #launch #site #website
  • Profile picture of the author Nonilol
    What? I dont get the question.

    The new website obviously sucks and is neither optimized for SEO nor for User Expirience so why would I launch it.
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    • Profile picture of the author smartfinds
      Hi Nonilol,

      Exactly...for the money...compared to the end result...you would think a professional web development firm would think twice about launching a website with these deficiencies.

      This situation was so odd...we were compelled to ask others to see if we were missing something.
      Signature

      Melih Oztalay, CEO, SmartFinds Internet Marketing
      Corporate: http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com
      melih@smartfindsmarketing.com
      Tel: (248) 568-2241

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  • Profile picture of the author samntly
    You may have to consider speaking with the owner about it but try to explain it in a way he would understand. Tell him that while one or even a few might not stop you from helping them when you add all of these up then it will significantly affect web presence and how much you can help them.

    They hired you but already they're handicapping you with this website, they're not only hurting themselves but maybe even your reputation.

    You just have to walk a very thin line.
    Signature

    Need A PHP Programmer That You Can Count On, That's Professional, Experienced in working with small and large clients. Reach me on skype at "Netlyte" or visit me at http://www.LCCWebDesign.com

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  • Profile picture of the author MeniStronk
    Are you asking us if we would make a chitty website for a client? Because I think the answer for all of us is no.
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  • Profile picture of the author smartfinds
    You're right...most professionals would not allow this website to hit the public. Doesn't seem as though someone was completely negligent in this case?
    Signature

    Melih Oztalay, CEO, SmartFinds Internet Marketing
    Corporate: http://www.smartfindsmarketing.com
    melih@smartfindsmarketing.com
    Tel: (248) 568-2241

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  • Profile picture of the author samntly
    For all you know it was his cousin who built the website so I wouldn't start off by using the word negligent. You definitely have to speak with him though. You can word it as if you're trying to find out about the previous webmaster so it won't offend him. Maybe then you'll find out what happened.
    Signature

    Need A PHP Programmer That You Can Count On, That's Professional, Experienced in working with small and large clients. Reach me on skype at "Netlyte" or visit me at http://www.LCCWebDesign.com

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