Dealing With Difficult Clients

A List Apart has an excellent article on dealing with difficult clients who are ignorant of web standards, accessibility, and general web practices. The client/developer discussion example is very funny and typical. I see tons of websites every day and I have to pick apart sites from our clients all the time. I still see so many non-standard sites and outdated conventions being used, its jaw-dropping sometimes.

But the web has developed its own conventions which, like it or not, are going to be around until the trends change and popular opinion turns towards standards. For example, using spaces between paragraphs as opposed to first-line indents. Using links that say "click here" to see something (which is mentioned in the article). Using image maps or entire web sites that are built with images. You get the picture. The fact remains that these practices will continue as long as people are used to web sites being developed this way.

The bottom line for a lot of CTO's and CEO's is that if it works who cares how its built.