Has your web designer disappeared?

Well, the bad news is that this happens a lot, so much so that we've developed an acronym for it - MDS (Missing Designer Syndrome).  We have made a business off of finishing projects that were started with the best of intentions, but have somehow gotten off track.  If you're in this situation, you know the delays it can cause and how expensive it can be.  The good news is, we can point you in the right direction and help you identify how not to let this happen again.  

Here are a few early warning signs for MDS (note: these are general guidelines and will not apply in all instances):  

1. You were asked for the whole fee up front. It is perfectly reasonable for your designer to ask for a deposit or bill you on an ongoing basis.  After all, they are taking a risk on you as much as you're taking a risk on them. However, be wary of designers who ask for the whole fee up front.  Once they receive their fee, there is no incentive for them to do work and you have lost all your leverage for making it happen.  
2. Your designer is a volunteer, non-professional, or a friend.  It is very common for people to hire technology savvy non-professionals to do their work on the web.  We understand the reasons, perhaps you don't have a professional budget, or you want to give work to someone who needs the money and/or experience.  A lot of times, the website enthusiast will lack the technical skill, project management ability, or just general interest to see your project from start to finish.  Sure, we all get started somewhere and, if your needs require you to go this route, just ask yourself if you believe your designer has the skill, knowledge, and desire to get you where you need to go.
3. You have no contract.  You need a contract.  Even if there is no money exchanged.  Even if you have known your designer for years.  Even if you believe this to be a very simple project.  A contract spells out the rights of both parties for the work done on your website.  Who retains ownership? What is the timeline?  What happens if you want to cancel?  Those are questions you need answered before you start. Period.   Get a contract. Every time.  
4. There is no outline of work or schedule to adhere to.  As a general project management practice, you want to define the scope of the project and set checkpoints to make sure you're on track.  This ensures your designer is not given open-ended deadlines and helps to make your expectations clear so the designer can meet (and hopefully exceed) them.  
5. Something just doesn't seem right.  If there is anything that just doesn't sit well with you, ask your designer for clarification.  Better ask a simple question now than find yourself in the throws of the dreaded MDS.

Now, what do you do if you find yourself unable to contact your designer?  Well, the first thing you may want to do is contact a professional to help you work out the next steps (we know of someone you can call).  Here are some of the questions we might ask if you called us: 

1. Where is the project being developed? 
   The first thing to do is establish where your project is and your level of access to it.  Is it on a hosting plan you control or have access to?  If not, can you get access to it?  
2. Does your website itself have login information?
   This is usually different from your hosting information and can be helpful in diagnosing what has and has not been done to your site. 
3. Do you have a copy of your website's source files?
   This would include the images, audio, video, flash, and source code of your website.  If you have this, you're in pretty good shape.  If not, you should look at ways of recovering it.
4. Do you own the content of your website?
   Look at your contract.  What does it say about content or artwork ownership?  You should always negotiate ownership of your website before starting a project.  If you don't have a contract or are unclear about ownership, the professional you call may have some insight about how to approach those issues.
5. Does your current designer still have access to sensitive information?
   If you've given credit card or login information information to your designer, it's probably time to cancel card numbers and change those passwords.  You don't want to leave yourself vulnerable in any way to someone who may be motivated to do you or your project any harm. 

If you don't know the answers to any of the questions posed above, get them as soon as possible.  You don't want to be stuck in a position where your project can't move forward if you can't contact the person or agency in charge of building it.  Most importantly, on your second go around, try to identify potential symptoms of MDS before committing to the project.