If everything will be free, how'll developers earn?

[ristenk1]

Ok, so this is kind of an exaggeration but I just saw this site: http://www.wix.com/ , which provides free websites and it got me thinking about how all of these big companies keep offering everything for free. I mean most people that I know that want basic e commerce sites for their hobby/crafts use etsy.. they even have an app that allows it to be embedded into a facebook tab now...

I know the easy answer is that us web developers can just work for companies like Wix and all of the rest to develop things like this... I guess web development won't be a specialty that individuals with basic needs will come to with all the free handouts.. only if they need customization... it'll never me "mom and pop" like brick and mortar businesses because of the free handouts and will keep webdevelopers running to keep up with the learning curve, that's for sure...


ps. I got the title from another blog on google that someone put out 10 months ago: http://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic...evelopers-earn

...just some thoughts

[dburdon]

Ristenk,
What these people, and others like them, are offering is not that different from what Blogger and wordpress have been offering for years. Sure, anybody can make a free website. And even make it search engine friendly - to a degree. But you wouldn't use such a system if you were a serious business. A proper, professionally built custom website would always outperform one made from templates using free hosting, sub-domains and over-bloated code.

[MrKappa]

The web has always pretty much been free with the exception of ISP services and regulated domain names.

In any event, they aren't free, they're "freemium" meaning they will look to charge at opportune moments. You know like wordpress.com is free, but they try and grab money when you want some redirects, or video hosting, ect...


But I understand, there are plenty of failed "free" business models. Like the develop and "donate please" model. I remember a thread where someone's plug-in had broke, and people had tracked the developer down and were offering beers. There are plenty of people who wouldn't pay a dime for anything, but it means the world to them and their clients. Why anyone wouldn't just release version 2.0 and charge a lousy dollar or two, I have no idea. Hope that helps.

[holyhttp]

There is a cost associated with everything even those with a fat FREE: free email accounts, free web hosting, free blogs, .... As dburdon mentioned when the business owner gets to the point where it's time to stand out from the crowd then a custom solution is the way to go. So web developers and programmers in general will fold only when computers start programming themselves to solve case specific problems.
So my advice is to keep honing new skills, take your expertise to a higher level and you will always have more options than you can handle.

[MrKappa]

Something that comes to mind is South Korea... http : // www . economist . com / node / 21541163

In 2010 South Korea’s highest court ruled that, against the wishes of the games companies, players’ virtual cash could indeed be converted freely into real-world money, provided it was generated in a game of skill rather than won in a game of chance. It is only a matter of time, says Roxanne Christ, a lawyer at Latham & Watkins, before Western courts will be faced with the same questions.

Another thing is bitcoins - http : // en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a decentralized electronic cash system that uses peer-to-peer networking, digital signatures and cryptographic proof so as to enable users to conduct irreversible transactions without relying on trust.

So whatever is happening now, might be different in the near future, who knows?

Best bet, is probably to trust your instincts when dealing with people.

[claybutler]

I've never give it a thought. Serious clients know these free sites have severe limitations. They are for dabblers only or early stage players only. I don't worry about overseas $99 logo sweatshops either. If you are threatened by free services or cheap overseas labor, then you aren't doing a very good job of articulating your value position in the market place, or you're so shitty at what you do you shouldn't be in web design anyway.
And by "you" I mean a person who's having a hard time competing with free and cheap services. Not you personally.

[morestar]

I will say, despite the talk of real or serious businesses knowing not to use such free software or in this case, free websites, that that's debatable.

I'm sure there are thousands maybe millions of serious and real businesses using free website software successfully - even including features and search engine results.

In some cases the website is free because you put the site's banner on yours or link to them in your footer. Sure despite some of the obvious or apparent drawbacks to such a setup, we can safely assume that those business owners are doing just fine, getting what they want and a lot of the times winning in search.

To answer ristenk, I guess our job is to convince the client, if at all possible that our services will help them to any degree and if they won't, we walk away honestly, as we should.

I can't help from time to time when I see such advertising about free websites to want to offer the same thing - I'd love to only work for charitable purposes but I have to eat.

Good post ristenk!

[mikmik]

Many don't have time or the patience to put together even a simple template site, and if they are enthusiastic or passionate about presenting their wares or identity, they want a unique and specific look and/or function.
I don't even know if you even transfer an existing site to a new host from Wix, and now I wonder about php and database support, as well. It's probably easier, or even just possible in the first place, to choose, and own, your own domain name.
Lastly, what about streaming media and adult content - like swearing or pictures of women's ankles - or other restrictions? A pro, or expert, guides development in a safe manor, and even knows security and what draws spam bots.

Then there's the site planning, plus the inspectors, city officials, and the teamsters union to keep happy. Oh, wait, that's my other job.

Basically, most people want or need a professional host and website - a clean setting with no strings or restrictions.

[AboutWeb]

Usually business owners or average non-techie people don't have the time or knowledge to use these free templates and/or hosting. They want to pay a guy that is gonna do everything for them.
For example, last time someone asked me to make a website, it had no idea about hosting or anything, so I had to buy the domain and hosting (with their money of course) and build the site.

[jhannawin]

Clay hits it on the head, differentiate what you do. If you can't articulate why people should buy your service rather than use a free service, then spend some serious time thinking that through. People buy people and they do also consider 'total cost' so long as you can explain it.