When Hiring Programmers, Watch for Scams!

In my opinion, one of the riskiest tasks to creating an internet startup is the hiring of programmers to build and develop your website. Especially, for those of you who are web entrepreneurs, but not programmers. The bottom line is you have got to check these people out! I am so tired of seeing people get ripped off. Why, because it almost happened to me during my first venture and it actually did happen to one of my colleagues. Nobody ever thinks it could happen to them, yet some of the smartest people get taken every day. I like to to use the analogy that programmers are like home contractors, they can build you something great or they can take you to the cleaners. You have got to do your homework on these people! I cannot stress this point enough. Don't just check their portfolio, find the contacts under each website in their portfolio and give them a call. If there aren't any contacts, be weary. If there are, call these people and get some feedback. Get references, but don't just ask for two or three. Ask them to supply you with ten and then you decide which ones to call. Anybody can find people to give bogus references. So don't be surprised if you think your calling the CEO of some company, but it turns out to be his best friend. The bottom line is these guys are good. Very good! They know exactly what it takes to earn your trust and appear legitimate. My dad always told me that the greatest scammers are the best at appearing honest and sincere. Thats how they suck you in! A colleague of mine who spent about a year of his life creating an internet business related to the music industry, fell victim to one of these scum bags. Its really ashame because he had a great idea too. This company appeared so legit that he even flew out to visit their office and did not suspect anything. I would have fallen victim to this company as well, but my gut told me that two things were suspicious. First off, the guy just appeared to be trying to earn my trust a little too much. He sent me a video of the company, he even sent pictures of him and his family. It just didn't seem right. Always trust your gut, I've found that its usually right. Secondly, for a company that was supposed to have over eighty employees, this alleged CEO had just a little bit to much time on his hands to try and convince me to use his services. Even their site looks kosher and I must admit, its actually kind of cool http://www.ispg.co.in/. You be the judge. Happy hunting and tread carefully...