[oneeyedpigeon]

> I also don't get why a web-development consultant would feel so responsible for a pretty typical business decision by their client.

Because they are an expert in their field and the client, presumably, isn't? I can't imagine another field—hairdressing, construction, financial advice—where the client would reject the paid expert's viewpoint so readily and firmly.

[graemep]

Its bikeshedding - they can see it so they have an opinion on it. I think it happens in many fields where the output is visual - photography, advertising,.....

There is also a general feeling that websites are primarily about design (rather than development) and that the design is aesthetic (rather than UI).

> I can't imagine another field—hairdressing, construction, financial advice

For financial advice, maybe not as readily, but it definitely happens pretty firmly. Lots of people have lost money taking risks they have been warned about. A lot during booms because of FOMO, and a lot because people do not even take advice in the first place.

[watwut]

But honestly, they are more likely to NOT be experts in the business of the client. They are experts on tech, their own business and aesthetic.

People come to hairdressers with own ideas about how their hair should look like and reject hairdressers advice. In fact, hairdressers are not even trying to give you advice unless you explicitly ask for it. They sometimes makes mild suggestions and offers, but that is it.

Frankly, financial advisors are more likely to give advice designed to max out their bonuses rather then one good for you. You probably should firmly reject that financial product or flat tire insurance.

[carlosjobim]

What is the purpose of a website for a business? There is only one correct answer to that question, and if you get it right then you can make great websites for any business. This is also a question you as a webmaster have to ask your business clients and explain to them if they have the wrong idea.

[Rebuff5007]

The expertise offered here is "how to build a website". If the client is insisting that the dev use a specific javascript library, that would be odd.

The client here is just requesting specific content on their website, similar to someone requesting a granite countertop in their kitchen; that seems fine, even if its not particularly classy or aesthetically pleasing to the contractor.

[oneeyedpigeon]

Do we know that for a fact? You described them as a "web development consultant", but I couldn't tell for certain what their exact role on this project was. Their services page (https://www.nicchan.me/services/) lists both "Web Application front-ends" and "translate your designs into a scalable system", so I think they offer a range.

[Rebuff5007]

Both of those sound like expertise in building a website, and not like expertise in business strategy.

To be clear, I would personally have a similar view to the author here. I'm just surprised that they think their opinion on the strategy side matters so much to their client!

[EZ-E]

> "translate your designs into a scalable system

To be fair telling customers to f** off when they want to reach out for help scales infinitely

[ludicrousdispla]

And that is likely why it's a common tactic for large companies.

[pmx]

It's more similar to someone asking for a cardboard countertop - any contractor would be well within their rights to tell them it's a bad idea and would be negligent if they didn't.

[knollimar]

It's more a matter of not the right use. Cardboard is inherently shitty.

I'd say L shaped island in a tiny kitchen. It just needs a bigger kitchen