Many Paths Might Bring You There

This week, I was again reminded how many different ways you can do something.

I was building a new site for a client. So I was trying a couple different ways to get it done. But there were trade-offs for each decision made. When I went for options that allowed the client more long-term editing control, I lost some degree of visual control.

I am sure in time, I could manipulate the CMS-type options to work as I want them to but time does not allow me to do trial and error...we have a launch date to hit.

So I went back to the client, suggesting we concentrate on establishing a solid web presence to build the business. In time, we can look at rebuilding the site using more technological toys (like a good CMS tool), but it makes more sense to the business plan to get a site out there more quickly.

But even then, once I decided to code it from the ground up, I had to decide what language to use. I want to condense some of the repeating elements, so using server side include files made sense to think about. So I narrowed it down to either asp or php, for these are 2 languages I work with, and both can handle the scripts I wanted to write.

Point of all this is, there were many different ways I could do this project, and all of them might have been right. But my client is entrusting me to look at the options, narrow it down based on her criteria, and then help her make a decision.

And what makes it possible for me to offer this sound, sage advice?

Experience. Years of it. Hundreds of sites under my belt.

So get on it. Every site you work on matters. Every writing assignment should have something to be gained. Every meeting should teach you something. The lessons are there if you let them.
Pile it up, dive right in. Nothing gets work faster than experience, and experience tells you to never be afraid to seek out more experiences. Pretty cool the way that works out.