Many people who need a website assume they can go on a site like Elance and find cheap web development services. Unfortunately unless you are a web development professional and have expertise as a project strategist with an extensive knowledge of internet marketing, you are likely to end up with a website that is poorly designed and not worth your time or money. To make matters worse, your stress level will feel like your experienced an earthquake on the magnitude of a 9.5 richter scale.

In my business, I depend on web developers who provide design and programming based on my carefully mocked-up designs, content and specifications for functionality.  In effect, I am like an architect that creates the plans for a building structure. I generally work with the same web developers who create a good project that is in alignment with my vision and goals.

Recently I needed the services of a web developer on a higher level than my usual developers could handle. So I went to Elance and after much searching for an appropriate web development company, I found Paul Woods, Consulting in British Columbia, Canada. What happened next was nothing short of a nighmare. This exceptional con man insisted that I release 50% of the funds placed in escrow (part of Elance’s system to safeguard the provider and customer) before he would start my project (NEVER do this)! 

He promised to have my project done in two weeks (which I knew was unrealistic) so we set the date for three (even that was unrealistic). He was so convincing and had glowing testimonials which made me feel confident in moving forward with him according to his terms.

After he got his money, he gave me nothing but lip service and lies. He refused to show me any progress on my project and told me that Elance required that I pay him in full before he was allowed to put the project on my server (not true). He even tried to get more money out of me, insisting that the work was almost done.  And all of this was BEFORE I saw any work done. 

Read my next post to find out what happened six weeks later and learn what Elance won’t do to protect you. If you’ve had a negative experience with Elance providers, please feel free to share.