Time to have a Website Code of Ethics

I do a lot of public speaking. Over the last six months I've really been shocked at the number small business owners that feel like they've been ripped off, hosed and lied to by the web developers they hired. Now, perhaps, this was because many SMBs were looking for a cheap fix and they got what they paid for. Certainly, most web professionals that I know do great work. That being written, many SMBs just don't know who to turn to for a decent website at a reasonable cost. (One of the reasons we created Your Web Department.) So with that in mind, I've created the 'Website Code of Ethics'. These are the minimum standards any web developer should live by. Be my guest and tape them to your fridge. You're free to use them, even if you don't hire us.

• The first question we ask will be "What do you want your website to do for you?"
• I am a web professional and not just doing this part-time
• Others can support you not just me
• I will advise you to buy a domain that is in your name and owned by you
• It should be easy for you to update and manage your own website without my help
• If you want a change to your design you won't have to keep buying new templates
• You will not be sold technology that is not updated regularly
• Your system will be updated regularly (as in if there is an upgrade, you will get it)
• Your website will be reviewed regularly to make sure it is performing as intended
• We will be there for you when you have a problem
• When it comes time to redesigning your site you will have the option to reuse the existing content
• You will not be tied down to long-term contracts
• If there is something we can't do for you, we know someone who can

If anyone has others they might like to add, I'd love to hear about them.