I just got off the phone with a woman who has a Typepad blog and needs a couple of things added to her sidebar. What's the big deal, you ask?
The big deal is that whoever originally created her blog used Typepad's Advanced Templates. There is nothing wrong with Typepad's advanced templates per se. They work wonderfully. They provide the designer with complete freedom to do anything.
The problem is that when you go to Advanced Templates you give up all control over your sidebar content. In this case, she wanted to add a 'Follow Me On Twitter' badge to the sidebar. If you've switched your blog to advanced templates then you must modify the HTML in the actual sidebar template module - not something your average non-geeky business owner can do.
My business philosophy is to empower my clients, not hold them hostage. I want my clients to be able to maintain as much of their own blog as possible. While I offer to maintain clients' blog for a nominal monthly charge and make these kinds of changes for them, I don't want them to be forced into that.
When my client wants something done that requires advanced templates I always tell them what the cost will be in terms of the flexibility they will be giving up. Invariably they make the right choice.
Frankly, setting up a client's Typepad blog in Advanced Templates without a compelling reason is IMHO professional malpractice. It is not operating with the best interest of your client in mind.
It's good that you are honest to your clients. You are the kind of employee / professional that businessmen would want to hire. Good Luck!
Posted by: landing page templates | July 09, 2009 at 12:16 AM
i couldn't agree more! that's my business philosophy also.
Posted by: Rodney Wilson | September 24, 2009 at 07:30 PM