info-commercials

web site design

[fashezee]

I would like some opinions on the following;

I saw a info-commercial that was advertising educational CDs
regarding computer know-how. The lessons offered by this company were for
beginners; It went something like:

"learn how to:
- configure your control panel
- send an email
- publish a web site"

I'm am not sure that this helps the web design industry as it can give people
the impression that a web site can be just as easy to build as sending an email.

There is enough obstacles in convincing people to invest on a web site, but
with the above mentioned info-commercials, it will become more difficult to
justify the price tag that comes along with a web site.

[pendanticist]

...and let's not forget:

Internet Treasure Chest (or sumptin like dat) that tout anyone can have a website and begin making money TODAY with just a few clicks of the mouse!

Uh, yeah. Right.

[tedster]

The issue is definitely the promise of profits. After all, almost anyone CAN create a website with today's software, just as almost anyone can create a poster -- it just won't be very good.

We're getting a decent flow of clients recently who went this route and learned the hard way that it ain't that easy. So far, probably because they have had this experience, they are easier to work with than the average un-web-educated business owner.

[Quinn]

I agree with Tedster. I've had a few referrals from people taken in by get rich quick web mall schemes and other quick buck web schemes who commit themselves to making it work by hiring web professionals.

I would say that the vast majority of people taken in by scams such as these won't pursue ecommerce, but those that due, will already understand what they're getting into.

[vbull]

I think this raises the issue of how to establish professionalism in the industry - and how to teach people/clients that there is a difference between slapping up a couple of pages with a WYSIWYG editor, and a professional who can consider issues such as design, usability, accessibility, information architecture and navigation, workflow management, marketing the list goes on...
I find myself constantly torn between trying to make people not feel scared of web technologies, by showing how easy it is to do small things, to trying to convince people about the value of web expertise, and the complexities of web services.