A Website Launch That Hit a Snag

Henry: Thanks for making time, David. I'll be candid. When we spoke in June, I understood the new website would be live by the end of October. Now I'm hearing it might be December. David: I appreciate your frankness, Henry, and I won't dress it up. What's happened is that the booking system you wanted has turned out to be considerably more involved than we'd estimated. Connecting it to your existing timetable software is the sticking point. Henry: But surely that was in the original specification? David: The booking system was, yes. What wasn't mentioned was that the timetable software only exports its data in an outdated format, and that's where the extra weeks come from. Henry: I see. And what's it going to cost me? David: Nothing beyond the original quote. That's our oversight, so we'll absorb it. What I'd propose instead is to launch the site on the thirty-first as planned, with a simple contact form for enquiries, and to switch on the booking system once it's ready, probably by mid-December. Henry: Hmm. A form isn't ideal. Half my students book on impulse after seeing the course page. David: Understood. In that case, we could add a clear banner saying that online booking is opening soon, plus a phone number in a prominent place. Henry: That's tolerable, provided you put it in writing, and the December date is a firm commitment rather than a hope. David: I'll send both this afternoon.