I have been working like a dog lately, not like a bulldog, but more like a Jack Russel Terrier who knows there is a small rodent in the backyard. What am I working on? (Thanks for asking) I am building a membership website. A membership website that ties into a shopping cart, gives people private access to download-able products and will automatically deposit money into the bank account while I sleep. I am excited about it, but let me tell you, I have learned a lot in the process. Here are a few tips for you to consider if you are looking at brining a new piece of technology into your life.
1. When you look at a potential vendors website, most of them have an online demo that you can view. Take a look at that, and if possible, go to the help section. See if they have written it for your level of expertise, or if they are writing it for the 2007 graduates from Code Writing University. If you don't understand their directions, they won't understand you when you call to say that the thingy on your front page doesn't go where you want it to when you click on it.
2. Can you find a phone number to call somebody if you get stuck? There is nothing worse than being stuck in a technology loop and you have nobody but yourself to yell at. Find out if you can get to a live person, and if so, you may want to give them a call to see how compatible you are with their technical service staff. After all, you will be talking to them more than you talk to your significant other while you are working on your project.
3. What are the 'hidden charges'? Are there other things you need to purchase to make your application actually work? If you are doing an E-Commerce type of thing, do you need a Gateway Provider along with your shopping cart application? If you are paying 99.00 a month for the application, 29.95 a month to host it, 59.95 for a gateway, it really isn't 99.00 a month any more.
4. Do a search on the vendor, and look for forums and posts to find out what people are really saying about the application. Trust me, a vendor won't have a bad referral or reference on their website. You have to dig around a bit to find out if their customers are happy.
5. If they say you don't need an IT department to make their system work, chances are they don't have one either.
6. If you bang your forehead on your desk, you WILL get a headache, your desk really doesn't care and you will just feel stupid for the rest of the day.
Take the time upfront to really research what your options are, and don't be afraid to cut your losses if you find it just isn't working. Life is too short to spend it with a bad technology partner!
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