No More Shortcuts
Here’s a lesson I learn in my business and in my life several times: you always pay extra for taking shortcuts. You hire someone cheap in India and you end up having to pay to get the site redesigned (until you find a good contact or maybe you get lucky, but in my experience I work with someone I know, is local, or referred to me). In my case the colors were strange and no matter how clear we were about what we wanted, it wasn’t ever worth more than what we paid for it – which isn’t much.
Sometimes people think they can buy a web site and they’ll just make money on it. Even though that web site is almost exactly like everyone else who bought into the scheme. The colors might be different or the products arranged in different places, but you can’t change the meta tags or other elements of the site. If you are going to buy a site, work with a business broker or find one that is making money already.
Maybe you’ve learned this lesson – that shortcuts can cost you a lot. I seem to have to learn this in various ways every once in a while. I haven’t ever bought template sites, but yesterday I remembered the bad decisions I’ve made when in a hurry. This post was spurned by having someone fix my bumper of my car. He was nice enough but in the end it was a half-baked job. Sure it saved me time and money, but now I’m out both and have to start again with a new bumper. Did I tell you I have animosity for cars? If I never had to deal with car repairs I wouldn’t.
As it applies to business, you often won’t make quick money if you try to get rich quick. You’ll waste money AND time. At least if you learn to do something well you’ll be out time and money but have something worthwhile to show for it. You can just count on things taking more time and effort than planned the first time around. Later, it does get easier and faster. The worst is when you put money into something and have to scrap it and start over.
2 Responses to “No More Shortcuts”
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July 21st, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Janet-i couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve heard it said “short cuts only make more angles.” It’s just difficult to swallow when capital can be so tight and you might just be the next obscure success story.
July 31st, 2007 at 5:50 pm
This is a valuable lesson to learn yet no one heeds. The veterans of the business know this all to well. Take your time, do it right. Build your house slowly.