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how can a total layman protect themselves from AI bullshit and scammers when looking to learn from or ask someone to help with a website? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 days ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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The internet sucks a lot right now. I know it's full of AI and scammers, the Lemmy users are helpful to spread warnings about them everyday. It's a little disheartening though to know that a lot of the warning signs are way above my entry level knowledge. Is there anyplace "safe" where someone can ask questions or even hire (not a job request post!) someone to help make a website without getting something that looks pretty but is actually a vibe coded nightmare?

Alternatively, what should laymen like myself be on the lookout for when trying to interact with this field? A real doctor can show credentials and answer questions, a real artist has a portfolio and can talk you through their process, I don't know what to ask a website maker person

thanks :3

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[–] 7 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Similar to an artist they should have some previous work they can show. Sites that they have built and previous clients.

As for where to ask I'm not really sure anymore. I haven't done freelance in so long and I always just found work through word of mouth. Maybe ask around for recommendations from others in your industry?

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  • [–] [S] 5 points 2 days ago (1 child)

    It's not a bad idea but most places are either saying to make it myself in one of the 4 big web builder companies, or they tend to be big enough to ask for 4 digit quotes. There's gotta be someplace a lil indie project can find someon in the $$-$$$ bracket who wants to help a micro advocacy group out. Just looking at fiver and shit I can see a lot of AI art. Like... if I want to hire an artist I can go to Etsy, deviant art, all sorts of places both new old and micro but it seems like there isn't a legit place to ask for website peoples help (especially if you, like me, aren't sure what the difference is between web dev and web design)

    thanks for your response!

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  • [–] 2 points 2 days ago

    I think you might need to adjust expectations a little. If your website is simple enough that a competent person could reasonably do it for <$1,000, you're honestly probably better off just using Squarespace or similar.

    Building a website for a few hundred dollars just isn't worth anyone's time. Just getting enough information out of a client to build a site they'd be happy with is usually hours of meetings regardless of how simple the site is. Usually the process is going to require multiple design drafts and a bunch of back and forth. That adds up to lots of hours of skilled work.

    If you're an independent web designer you need happy customers and good reviews if you want to get future customers, and trying to do things on the cheap end just isn't really a workable business model.

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