On the Behavior of Website Development Companies - Any Good, Honest, and Open Companies In/Around Chicago or Anywhere?

Hi tracknut, ralphm, and m_hutley, and others who read this,

I’ve never had a website created for me, much less can I do it myself!! I didn’t want to create another “new” topic on the selling behavior of website development companies. I took the good advice from tracknut, ralphm and m_hutley and they steered me away from problematic companies - thank you! But this topic I created is now closed, so I’m opening another, related topic.

Does anybody know of a good, honest, open, legitimate website development company in/near Chicago? Or anywhere for that matter?

The one I chose last late summer is turning out to be a dud. They fiercely resist committing what they promise in writing, they want the entire payment upfront (no 50% now, 50% when finished), they don’t want to “waste time” clearing up things with me in person at their office (though we just had a 90 minute Zoom meeting), they don’t want me to meet the website team until I pay upfront, they invited me for coffee with them at the beginning in their Chicago office, but now require full payment before any live meeting, and they moved their office from one location in Chicago to another in a suburb - in an apartment - and their Canadian office doesn’t list its phone number. The two associates I’ve spoken with have thick foreign accents, if that may mean anything.

Is this normal? I don’t know how development companies run their businesses, but I don’t feel “right” about the situation.

I think I’ll reject their offers this weekend and look for another firm in or near Chicago. Can anybody refer me to one? Or can anybody refer me to one that may not be in Chicago, but is really good and honest??

Thanks for any advice anybody can give me!!!

Paul

Just a thought that this may not be the best place to ask that question.

Most members here are involved in web development, one way or another, and will be unlikely to have experience of employing a developer in this context. (As we don’t allow advertising here, anyone who happens to work for an honest, ethical company in Chicago won’t be promoting them, either.)

Also remember, this is an international community, and many members are from outside the USA, never mind Chicago.

Perhaps someone else can suggest a better place for you to ask?

Hi TechnoBear,

I am sorry to have violated the regulations of Site Point and should have read its regulations before posting what I did. I only posted one more response to Jim Hibbard, for whom I do not have an e-mail address, and promised I will not post any more about my needs, which, I understand, can start making the Site Point forum into a sales center. Thanks for your understanding!

Sincerely,
Paul

Ah, so we’re hunting unicorns, you say…

Not at all. I didn’t mean to imply that you were at fault: I just think it’s unlikely you’ll find anyone here who can give you the answer you want. It’s a bit like asking a group of passionate DIYers to recommend a professional carpenter. It’s probably the wrong audience for the question.

I understand, absolutely no problem. You’re probably right, but I trust the judgments and referrals from people like you who would know how to navigate in this messy world of commercial website development businesses. I’ve once put my needs on the Bark site and got 10-15 “companies” wanting me to hire them, but, up to now, they’ve disappointed me, as I explained above.

Thanks for your advice!

Paul

1 Like

I don’t live near Chicago so can’t help you with recommendations, but I can tell you…

  • The changing locations could be legit if it’s a REALLY small company, but only you can decide if that’s a deal breaker for you, but realize that larger companies intimate larger costs.
  • But if anyone requires payment in full before starting work or even meeting, walk away.

Thanks Dave. Yes, I believe that too! I’ll walk away. And I’m willing to go out of state, if you know of a good company. Thanks again for your advice!

Paul