How to rip people off 101
To me, there is nothing wrong with using a CMS when designing your own website or "blog" - why learn html/css when you can just use a program that makes the code for you?
But heres what pisses me off (along the same lines as a web design agency using templates without letting the client know AND charging the same price as a unique design). I found a web "design" agency (hint, sounds like Include) that charges companies a VERY inflated fee for "good web design" using a CMS. This is as bad as charging a client for a template design. There is no thought involved and no work. Its data entry. woo.
I suppose its the potential clients fault for being so stupid that they don't look into what makes a website. This usually falls on the marketing department which is always full bad decision makers.
SEO -this falls under the same subject. This is another area that a marketing department chooses to sink its money into with NOTHING to show for it - but a nice new PPC that they show off to potential investors. Are you a good editor? Then you should write on your resume that you specialize in SEO. Oh, and make sure your rate per page is $500.
In a "throw-away" society, these companies that practice the above survive while organic companies are overlooked because of ignorance and laziness.
P.S. - When you hear a designer say they "need inspiration" that usually means "I need to look for a good design to rip off." Walk out of the meeting when you hear that - you're about to get screwed (and not uniquely).
But heres what pisses me off (along the same lines as a web design agency using templates without letting the client know AND charging the same price as a unique design). I found a web "design" agency (hint, sounds like Include) that charges companies a VERY inflated fee for "good web design" using a CMS. This is as bad as charging a client for a template design. There is no thought involved and no work. Its data entry. woo.
I suppose its the potential clients fault for being so stupid that they don't look into what makes a website. This usually falls on the marketing department which is always full bad decision makers.
SEO -this falls under the same subject. This is another area that a marketing department chooses to sink its money into with NOTHING to show for it - but a nice new PPC that they show off to potential investors. Are you a good editor? Then you should write on your resume that you specialize in SEO. Oh, and make sure your rate per page is $500.
In a "throw-away" society, these companies that practice the above survive while organic companies are overlooked because of ignorance and laziness.
P.S. - When you hear a designer say they "need inspiration" that usually means "I need to look for a good design to rip off." Walk out of the meeting when you hear that - you're about to get screwed (and not uniquely).