Had a long-time client email me with a request…

Had a long-time client
email me with a request for a website. I requested content, images, and logo
file to start. He didn’t have anything. Instead, he just sent me links to a few
of his competitor’s sites:

Client: Have a
look at these and get back to me when you have something. I can’t answer too
many questions – I’m a busy man.

I put a week into
keyword searches, competitor analysis, and site comparison, and figured out
what a site in his field would need. I put together a draft with stock
composite images (he still hadn’t sent me any content), and sent it for
approval on direction.

Client: Yes,
please get it posted as I have people asking me about this site.

…What?

Me: It’s not
quite ready to go up. Also, now is when you would request any changes you might
want. Please call me so we can discuss changes so I can move ahead.

No response. He is,
after all, a busy man. 

I sent several follow-ups over the next
few days. Nothing (he’s VERY BUSY). I kept working on the site and started to
get close to completion. I sent a link to get some feedback, once again
requesting that he call me.

No response. It’s
okay, I think. He’s a very busy man. It’s
Friday. Maybe he’s not checking his email.

Monday: no response.

Tuesday: no response.
I send another follow-up email.

Wednesday I finally
get a response:

Client: I looked
through it and I have to say I’m really disappointed. Please take a look at this
website. This site was done in-house in about 3 hours and under $100. I believe
this site is far superior to what you sent me. Please explain as I gave you
competitor site links and the site you sent me isn’t even close.

I heard my heart pounding in my ears. I
wanted feedback, but this was a little much for this late in the project.

Then I looked at the “under
$100” site, which he hadn’t sent me before. It was done by his wife, using a
free service template – which isn’t bad, except it wasn’t mobile friendly, the
pages weren’t formatted correctly, and the font size on all the content was so
small I actually had to increase my monitor’s settings to read it.

I responded to ask for more detailed
criticisms of the draft. He didn’t respond. He still hasn’t responded. So I
revamped the site, and resent that for approval. I’m still waiting.

He
is, a busy man.