I hired Marshall Designs to do a complicated website that included programming and an extensive database system. The web designer (Steve Marshall) assured me he had the ability to do this, had done it before, and could do it quicker than anyone else, and I believed him. When he finally launched the website it was one glich after another... At one point I entered an ad and it overwrote every ad on the site. The problems consisted of search errors, display problems, and basic interface design and usability of the site. When I had finished paying him, the glitches continued (at least daily) and I, being not very smart, contacted him and gave him another $500.00 to finish a job that should have been done right in the first place! It didn't work though, because the glitches continued and I had to contact him repeatedly to fix more errors. Many times he made inference that it was our fault or, as time went on, he said these things were "normal" and needed to be worked out on a new website. My stand is that these glitches should have been tested and worked out prior to the website going live or being turned over to me. (I have since purchased another website, and low and behold. No glitches... Works like a charm and for much less money!) I also have hired a real computer programmer that is working on fixing the little glitches for me on my website. However, it will take several more months (and more money) to fix the "little glitches" that Marshall Designs said are "normal". So the whole mess will probably cost me twice as much as it should have and taken twice as long!
Note I took this website to a minimum of five website design companies and they said there is NO WAY they would have given a customer this website and it was riddled with interface problems. If you are interested in looking at the website, please contact me at the email below and I'll give you the URL. I'm interested in feedback.
I'm reporting this because I don't anyone else to get burned the way I've been burned. If you want a simple design website with a minimum of programming, go ahead and use Marshall Designs. But if you need a complicated website with programming, beware of Marshall Designs (Steve Marshall) and DO NOT fall for his line that he can do it. He is self taught and does a good job as far as simple design goes... However programming is another matter and an education in that field is necessary.
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