What to do with a half-finished web project?

Whether it is a large bespoke system build, or a simple website or online shop, we see a lot of half-finished projects. These usually come bundled with a frustrated owner who has quite simply had enough, lost all faith in web developers, and has empty pockets!

So, what can be done?

This depends on what state the project is in, and how it got there in the first place.

One issue is that some developers will say “it’s 90% finished”, but only say that because they wanted their last payment. Others may even believe it is finished, but they may not have the highest coding or quality control standards (we see this a lot with some offshore development). In some cases, it could genuinely be complete, but to a different or original specification which is not what the client now wants.

Something could be developed properly but only 50% complete, and still be in a far more usable state than something 90% complete, but coded badly. A beautiful house built on sand is still built on sand, and code is no different.

The biggest advice to the client is not to rush into anything. They need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and get the project professionally audited. They need to find out what state the code is, how complete it is, and what is required to fix it. As far as a web agency is concerned, they need to not assume anything, and query everything they have been told as the owner may have been misled.

The web agency needs full access, and fresh eyes, and after this can advise on next steps and associated costs and timescales. At this stage it is very much a case of doing things carefully and methodically, rather than heroic last-minute coding marathons fuelled by caffeine and optimism

In the best case, the project can easily be taken over and completed. In the worst case, it isn’t viable to continue. In reality, it is usually somewhere in between.

To complicate matters, there is often the requirement to pay the current agency to release code, without knowing the quality or completeness of what they will provide. This means that sometimes a gamble needs to be made, and a good web agency can help weigh up the options. There is often hostility between the old developers and the owner, so usually patience and diplomacy are needed.

In a few cases there is often the case of whether the previous developer failed to meet their obligations, and if legal action should be taken. This is where the new web agency needs to look at the facts, contracts, and ensure that feelings and frustration are taken out of the equation.

These projects are often some of the messiest that a web agency can inherit, logistically, technically, and emotionally. They require investigation, honesty, experience, and occasionally a bit of detective work.

Challenging? Absolutely. Messy? Often. Strangely satisfying when resolved properly? Very much so.

So, if this sounds familiar, and you need an agency to carefully and concisely analyse the situation, and advise accordingly, then please get in touch.

We work on a variety of platforms, and have decades of experience in inheriting half-built systems from the simple to the complex. Whether you have an unfinished full-scale bespoke development project, or a small brochure website, then we can likely help.

Whatever state your project is currently in, whether that is paused, stuck, limping along, or declared “almost finished” for the tenth time, we can likely help.

We are Webbed Feet, bringing balance to the codebase and restoring order to the galaxy.