[thelist] My 12 year old son can do websites

[Steve Cook]

You could perhaps point out that every area of human endeavour has both dilettantes and professionals. There are tools available that simplify the act of making a basic website, but they are not suitable for more than the simplest of tasks. To deliver a quality product requires experience  and professionalism. To understand your client's business and produce the most appropriate and effective website requires a maturity of understanding that cannot be matched by a 12 year old child.

You could also point out the difference between a home movie and a professionally produced film. A 12 year old can hhandle a video camera, but in the hands of a professional, the end result will be appreciably better.

On the whole it's probably best to not focus on the actual production of pages, but on the underlying value that you as a professional designer can add to the entire process of promoting their business in the best possible light.

If all else fails, let them use the 12 year old for a while and check up with them in 6 months - you'll almost certainly get the job back again.

.steve