One of the most frustrating situations we hear about is when clients don’t see requested changes implemented on their website. Equally frustrating is when a site isn’t updated, and it slowly begins to not function properly across all devices. At MDPM, we don’t often hear these kinds of comments, because the procedures we follow are intended to streamline support, while maximizing website function.

What is Support?

After your website goes live on your domain, in addition to monitoring and making adjustments for search engine optimization, and also in addition to keeping the site live 24/7, you probably pay for “support.” The term “website support” refers to making changes to a site when they’re requested by the client. Support may involve adding a page to the website, removing old photos or adding new ones, or writing and posting biographical profiles for new employees. Support does not include changing design elements, like colors and fonts. It also doesn’t involve creating videos or new slideshows, or managing SEO. The latter tasks may involve an additional fee at the time service is rendered or a monthly fee, as is usually the case for SEO.

Why isn’t Design Included in Support?

A website is much different than a brochure. To edit the border and text area in a brochure, a designer simply clicks, adjusts, and voila! Done! On a website, the design and development process are very different. In fact, most designers are not great developers, and developers usually aren’t astute designers. The graphic designer, or artist, creates the look of a website in an art composition, long before the website is built. A program like Photoshop is often used for website design. During the design phase, the graphic designer can click and change all elements of the project. Once a client is pleased with the design, that artwork goes to a website developer, which you should think of as a website engineer. This skilled professional is more of a structural engineer – not an artist. Read More