53
vanrijn
7y

Generic-IT
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Client:"So we would like to found a new company and offer IT and network consulting. Would you be able to build our website?"

Me:"Absolutely. What will be the name of your company?"

Client:"The name is going to be 'Generic-IT'. The website is going to be 'generic-IT.com' . We checked that with google."

Me:"I am sorry to tell you that generic.com is already taken by another company. Incidentally that company offers the same services, that you intend to offer. They also seem to be quite big an have businesses in 5 different countries.
Because of this I advise you to pick a different name that does not get you into trouble and makes positioning your own brand easier."

Client:"We want to neglect that problem for now."

Me:"0.0 ..... -_-""""
"Well, listen. Apart from the possible branding and copyright problems imagine how people will find you on the web. ...What will happen if you google 'generic IT'?"

Client:"Yeah well, we want to neglect that. And with SEO you can do something about that."

Me:"..........Welllll, you that SEO is not a cure all, right? The older an bigger company will come up first. Why not avoid that missunderstanding and come up with a unique name?"

Client:"......"

Me:"Please tell me. Doesn't any part of my argument make sense to you?"

Client:"..."

Me:"Well, ok. I will send you the estimate on monday."

___________

Then over a back channel I hear that the client is ...bewildered, why I would not stick to my area of expertise.

There I was now. Left bewildered myself, being the one with the webagency that does frontend design and branding.

Comments
  • 41
    You can't fix stupid. But you can take their money anyways
  • 7
    I come from graphic design and branding. Working for web has to be the most ungratifying thing I've done. So many dense people and washed-up ideas in one place! Yet, most of jobs use the web one way or another. Oh the HORROR!

    Focusing on the Windows platform as a developer, trying to avoid all dem frameworks, oh, AND STUPID CLIENTS!
  • 2
    Work without the clients. Seems like a dream to a dream to me :)

    And yes I was planning to take their money. Let us see if there is an understanding that the 30+ pages of content to be layouted in a non shitty way does take some time ... in two languages.
  • 18
    Take the job, mix 5 javascript frameworks into the front end (throw JQuery in there, appearently that is perfect to mix into any project ever created). Next, use something crazy like bash on balls or mix perl with a couple of other languages (brainfuck maybe?) for the backend. Write the documentation like nothing is wrong and make sure not to comment any code what so ever.

    If the client doesn't like your work, you tell him that you are bewildered that he won't stick with his own area of expertise.
  • 2
    😂😂😂 I am so very tempted.
  • 4
    Don't get involved. It will inevitably go horribly wrong and they'll blame you. And you won't get any money out of them no matter what might happen. So run away now while your sanity and reputation are still intact.
  • 2
    I feel you. My soon-to-be ex-client decided to start a company and was very stubborn with the name he picked. Nevermind that there were no social media handles available for what he wanted (resorting to adding extra words) or that there are at least five other companies/groups/stores with the same name.
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