I get several emails a week directly from my website that are very similar. They usually start with something like this.

Hello,

I am looking for a Joomla person to help me with my website. It doesn't look good. What would you charge to fix it?

Thank you!

The issue is that I can usually tell from the start if the email has been written so that they could send it to as many people as possible without editing. To me, this is often the clearest sign of what kind of client I am dealing with, and it affects the way that I handle them. To be fair, sometimes clients do this because they are new to the web and are unsure, but others are repeat offenders. I've put together here a small guide on ways to better start your search for a web service provider.

Why mass emailing service providers (like Gnome on the run) is BAD for you (the client)

Gnome on the run can be found via Google, Twitter, the Joomla Resources Directory, and various other places where it is connected. Its important for a web service provider to be easily found on the web, or what good would our business be? One of the drawbacks is that the easier it is to find you, the more likely you are to get what I like to think of as spammer clients. Are you one of them?

Spammer clients are easily identified not as the ones who shop around, but the ones who shop around by trying to get as many bids from as many places as possible with as little work as possible. Typically, the emails are sent out with only 4-5 sentences about the project, lack a budget and timeline, and are thin on details about the work. Essentially the emails are requests for service providers to contact them and help them clear up what they want, not necessarily a request for the service provider to do their project.

Spammer variations

There are several variations as well, which I react to differently. These kinds of comments in a request raise certain questions about the quality of the client, and here are some things to avoid.

"This idea will change the world!" - I don't want to tear down anyone's ideas, but often when a request comes in with a lot of information about how great the idea is, it often means that the client is trying to entice you. Just like a salesman, this type of request is low on details and big on fluff, which makes it hard to actually provide a quote. Cut the fluff and spell out the project, and you'll have a much better response.

"What do you charge for this?" - I get this the most, and it makes sense as the client just wants to know the price. The problem is they often fail to actually describe the work to be done, and service providers have a method for the way they come up with a quote that needs those details. Make it a point to outline your project before asking for a price.

"Can you do this, this, and that?" - A huge red flag comes up when I get requests that ask if I do Joomla or other services which I outline in my Services page. It means that the client has not even looked at my website. They found the website, clicked on the contact link, pasted their message, and hoped for instant quotes. Look at a service provider's website before contacting them, they might not do what you are looking for.

"If this project goes well, more work may come your way" - Frequently requests try to trick service providers with little promises, such as this classic line. The problem is that it is often used as bait, as an attempt to ellicit a response rather than as an actual promise. Service providers know that if they please you, that you are likely to return. Try to avoid bait promises like this, and just keep the communication clear and on topic.

"I have a big project, call me at 555-5555" - Much to the dismay of some clients, there are many providers who do business only by email. There are some people who can't imagine not doing business over the phone, and there are many providers who can't imagine not doing business over email. Don't make demands (even if you don't think they are demands) to have a provider do something for you. Most providers have a system they follow for new requests, and be prepared to follow it.

How to get better results from email requests

Contrary to the tone of this whole post, service providers do want clients. The thing is that once a service providers are established, they have less room for new clients and are able and have to be selective. They want to have clients that are reliable, pay on time, communicate well, and honor agreements or contracts. When you are looking for a service provider, try doing a few of these things rather than spamming as many sites as you can.

Plan your project first - You don't have to know a lot about web development to get a plan together. Providers would appreciate some detail, so include an outline of the pages, the features list (such as it needs a calendar system), and other requirements. At the same time, too much detail becomes overwhelming, so keep your notes under two pages if possible.

Address the email personally - This is a little touch that makes sure providers feel like clients actually know who they are contacting. Just put "Dear Gnome on the run" or "Hello Business Team" as the first line. Sign your name, even if there is a field above for your name. We are humans too you know, and appreciate these kinds of details.

Ask your contacts for referrals - Rather than emailing any website that pops up in a search, try to use your contacts to find service providers that they have worked with. Also mention in your request where you heard about the provider.

Do some research and narrow - Before you email, take a look at the provider. Do they seem to do the kind of work you need? Do you like their portfolio? Narrow down the number of providers and only contact those who seem suit you best. Focus your energy on finding good providers to contact rather than finding as many providers to contact as possible.

Write a quality request - Lastly, if you want a quality response, its best to be clear with what you want and need. Provide an estimated budget range, timeline request, site outline, and goals. Sound professional, and avoid bait promises like above.

I think the core of the problem is that when people are online, people tend to forget you are working with other humans. You see the website and imagine a business, but there are always people on the other end of your email. If you expect a high quality response, you will have to put together a high quality request. They always say, "Garbage in, garbage out".