Let's face it, when it comes to Web design and development, most business owners just know they need it. It's all a big mystery what their designers and/or developers do every day to market and build a client's brand identity online. There are often misconceptions about the benefits we provide to businesses and, as a business owner, it's important to understand them so you get the best outcome for your project.
Here are the three most common misconceptions I've come across while networking.
This usually comes up when asked for a "ball park" estimate for a project, but there are two things to bear in mind when asking to have a project done. First, what is your time worth and how long would it take you to deliver what you are requesting from your developer - time that would certainly be better spent doing what you're best at, running your business. Second, consider that by hiring a developer, you get not only their expertise, but also the tools that you would otherwise need to purchase for yourself or an internal development team to complete the same job. Anyone can swing a hammer, but it takes a craftsman (these days a whole team of craftsmen) to build a house that can stand.
We have hourly rates that surprise many people and the simple answer is no. Sure, you can find someone on a freelancer site that is less expensive, but often times they're not local ($20 an hour is a small fortune in some countries), so having a face-to-face is difficult (if not impossible). You're effectively outsourcing to another country, which means if something goes awry with the developer, there isn't any legal recourse. A common problem with outsourcing development is getting what you asked for - then seeing the exact same thing pop up on a competitor site (with perhaps some colors or a logo switched out). You are paying professionals for their expertise as well as the product they deliver, whether it's a Web site or some kind of application, and it is a business asset. You should make sure that you are receiving exclusive intellectual property rights to the product you've paid to have created.
You are commissioning a product that will need to be maintained over time. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect. Even after an application is implemented, something will come that got past us, our QA team, and our client. Perhaps your customers are even requesting new features. When creating a custom application, keep in mind that you are creating a product that will ultimately become an asset for your business. As such, you own retain full ownership of the application, including maintenance. Once any warranty period passes (check with your developer for the specific timeframe), you should consider setting up a maintenance plan with them to handle upkeep and improvements long-term.
Software developers have honed their craft, probably over years, to achieve their level of expertise. You wouldn't go to a doctor and ask them to treat you first so you can decide if you want to keep seeing them. Nor would you ask them to "give you a deal" or price match or give you a diagnosis after just one test - in some cases, it can take months and multiple visits to a doctor to determine what's wrong. The same is true with software developers - professionals who create tools that make it simpler for business owners to run their business.