client can't understand why HTML is so hard

[aprillougheed]

I have a client who is constantly changing tiny little things that no site visitor will ever notice.

I've tried everything for 6 months to convince them that they should be thinking big picture - user centered design, site usability, search engine optimization - but no luck.

Now they want me to fly out to their office and "explain to us why it's so hard to make html pages".

They have a 300 page web site with 1,000s of images and they've elected to use every complication in the book - rollover custom-color tabs, six different styles of bullets, etc.

Do you know of any place on the web where I might find some "screenshots" or "animations" or something to help me get the message across to them .... HTML ISN'T MS WORD OR MS POWERPOINT.

Thanks, April

[Charles]

But HTML isn't hard.

You might want to direct them to http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/ .

[abectech]

A site with 300 pages seems like a hassle to manage using only HTML. Have you looked into using any advanced programming languages like PHP to help expedite the process of changing and updating their site? Sometimes clients can be stubborn when it comes to their own ideas on how a website should be managed. I have had clients tell me they think they’re site is more effective if their homepage has 5,000 words of copy or that they want animated gifs all over the place. I have usually used outside research to help convince the client they’re not an authority on web development.

The question is, are you right? I manage several sites with hundreds of pages, rollovers, and tons of customization including a lot of programmed user level management etc. I wonder if the job may be too big for simple HTML and you may need to consider adding some additional programming that may greatly expedite the process of managing the site. Managing a site of that size by using only HTML could be an extreme hassle. An example of programming that could greatly increase productivity could be an included navigation. So you create one external file with your navigation and include it dynamically on all 300 pages. Now if the client asks you to change “about us” to “about” you only have to change it in one file as opposed to all 300 saving you a great deal of time and the client a lot of money.

[buntine]

Just highlight the importance of accessability. Tell them about the differences in browsers, clients, etc. Mention the fact that some users don't have JS enabled.

Charles is right; HTML is not hard. But it certainly is not the same as writing an MS Word Document.

Regards.

[chrisranjana]

Show them how long it takes for you to make simple changes to their 300 page website and ask them whether they will pay for it ?

[Snitchcat]

Are you coding all 300 pages using HTML? It seems a silly question, but I have encountered those who've done that -- and it's an absolute pain. If this is the current method, I'd suggest introducing something to help with this situation -- PHP, ASP, or similar. (Not familiar with that side of the web programming.) If you're not coding all 300 using HTML, then that's a blessing.

Regarding convincing the client otherwise: what's their HTML experience? Do they use Frontpage? Do they merely save Word documents as HTML? Or they have no experience whatsoever?

I had a client who expected (and still does) the same thing -- immediate changes, because "it's just text; and if it were that simple, I wouldn't be paying you to create my pages for me."

My answer: "The pages you see on the Web, the animations, Flash, and all the bits that make it brilliant, useable and accessible are not simple text changes. They require knowledge of PHP, ASP, scripts, graphics, userability knowledge and accessibility analyses. Making something look simple means there is a host of complex processes behind it.

Let me send you a SAMPLE page of what goes on behind the scenes.

Also, in the interests of ensuring everything is efficient and effective, I would strongly recommend a maximum of three changes, else the site will never be launched."

I sent them a sample page of code -- they came back to me and asked what on earth was all that mess. My answer: "One page in your website."

Since then, they have been more understanding.

Granted, my solution isn't the solution for your specific situation, but perhaps something in there may help?

[Reli4nt]

HTML really isnt hard, but the question is, what do you care? So long as they are wiling to pay for the extra hours. Just remember to bill accordingly and all is well.

[ellicit]

I have a client who is constantly changing tiny little things that no site visitor will ever notice.

I've tried everything for 6 months to convince them that they should be thinking big picture - user centered design, site usability, search engine optimization - but no luck.

Now they want me to fly out to their office and "explain to us why it's so hard to make html pages".

They have a 300 page web site with 1,000s of images and they've elected to use every complication in the book - rollover custom-color tabs, six different styles of bullets, etc.

Do you know of any place on the web where I might find some "screenshots" or "animations" or something to help me get the message across to them .... HTML ISN'T MS WORD OR MS POWERPOINT.

Thanks, April


haha are they will to pay for your plane ticket and other expenses?