Website Design Business Owners: How Do You Handle This...?

13 replies
Hi Warriors who are website design business owners, how're you?

I have a couple of questions, I wonder if you could help me out?-Thanks in advance!

How do you handle this problem?:

1. Getting a client to decide on a design without bogging down in indecision?

2. Getting a client to actually provide necessary content like images and verbiage for the site?

3. Getting them to commit and finalize a site design and prevent them from endlessly wanting minor tweaks?

Thanks!

David
#business #design #handle #owners #website
  • Profile picture of the author CashTactics
    1. Getting a client to decide on a design without bogging down in indecision?
    There really is no way to push them. When I help a client design a website its minimum $1300. I make them pay half up front. This will help them move along. If you don't charge them a non refundable down payment then you will be stuck with wasted time. And time is money!

    2. Getting a client to actually provide necessary content like images and verbiage for the site?
    You have to write it in a contract the things that they will provide. I normally only let me clients provide an about section. The rest is added by me and I give my clients 2 weeks to review the site and request any changes. Here's a hint... if you build it on a CMS like wordpress or joomla then it will be easy to swap out text and images. You can even show your clients how to do it.

    3. Getting them to commit and finalize a site design and prevent them from endlessly wanting minor tweaks?
    Its all in the contract. 2 weeks to tweak content ect, Anything after that is charged at $50-$75/hr depending on what you charge.

    Remember... You have to write it into a contract other wise they are free to roam all over you.
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    • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
      Originally Posted by CashTactics View Post

      1. Getting a client to decide on a design without bogging down in indecision?
      There really is no way to push them. When I help a client design a website its minimum $1300. I make them pay half up front. This will help them move along. If you don't charge them a non refundable down payment then you will be stuck with wasted time. And time is money!

      2. Getting a client to actually provide necessary content like images and verbiage for the site?
      You have to write it in a contract the things that they will provide. I normally only let me clients provide an about section. The rest is added by me and I give my clients 2 weeks to review the site and request any changes. Here's a hint... if you build it on a CMS like wordpress or joomla then it will be easy to swap out text and images. You can even show your clients how to do it.

      3. Getting them to commit and finalize a site design and prevent them from endlessly wanting minor tweaks?
      Its all in the contract. 2 weeks to tweak content ect, Anything after that is charged at $50-$75/hr depending on what you charge.

      Remember... You have to write it into a contract other wise they are free to roam all over you.
      Those are very good suggestions, thank you much for taking the time to respond!
      David
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  • Profile picture of the author Stu Eaves
    Hi David, from my experience designing websites for my clients:

    1) Give them 5 basic 'wire frame' layouts to choose from initially, and then 3 designs to choose from which fit that layout and match their brief - not a whole catalogue to choose from, just 3. If they want more, let them ask for it or charge for additional designs - your time is money and they should appreciate every hour you spend on this should 'in theory' be chargeable.

    2) Give them a list of the content you need from them and give them a deadline to provide it to you. I've had all sorts of problems with this particular issue in the past, until I made a change and started making it clear that their entire project is 'on hold' until they supply this information.

    3) Give them a limited number of revisions (agreed beforehand) or simply get them to complete a kind of 'snagging' list (list of things to change or remedy) which they agree once you've done all these things they will be happy and consider it complete. So don't accept a couple of changes at a time, simply say that for efficiency you like your clients to make a complete list of all the changes they'd like to see in one go - this forces them to think about everything in one sitting.

    Some of the above may sound a bit 'harsh' but it's about being professional - you have your standards and ways of working, and you shouldn't alter those for any clients. Sure, bend over backwards to please them WITHIN your way of working, but not outside your own guidelines.
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    • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
      Originally Posted by Stu Eaves View Post

      Hi David, from my experience designing websites for my clients:

      1) Give them 5 basic 'wire frame' layouts to choose from initially, and then 3 designs to choose from which fit that layout and match their brief - not a whole catalogue to choose from, just 3. If they want more, let them ask for it or charge for additional designs - your time is money and they should appreciate every hour you spend on this should 'in theory' be chargeable.

      2) Give them a list of the content you need from them and give them a deadline to provide it to you. I've had all sorts of problems with this particular issue in the past, until I made a change and started making it clear that their entire project is 'on hold' until they supply this information.

      3) Give them a limited number of revisions (agreed beforehand) or simply get them to complete a kind of 'snagging' list (list of things to change or remedy) which they agree once you've done all these things they will be happy and consider it complete. So don't accept a couple of changes at a time, simply say that for efficiency you like your clients to make a complete list of all the changes they'd like to see in one go - this forces them to think about everything in one sitting.

      Some of the above may sound a bit 'harsh' but it's about being professional - you have your standards and ways of working, and you shouldn't alter those for any clients. Sure, bend over backwards to please them WITHIN your way of working, but not outside your own guidelines.
      Hi Stu, that all makes sense to me and is very helpful indeed - much appreciation to you for your time and courtesy!
      Best,
      David
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  • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
    I have dealt with thousands of clients, each and every site I have built has always been from scratch. I do not use any wordpress or other pre-made solution.

    I provide the client a upfront detailed proposal that details exactly everything that I am going to do. I base this proposal on what they posted that they wanted. Since many clients do not understand development of a site I provide the indepth details for them. We both then discuss this proposal and I explain things if needed as we do this. We both decide what needs to be included and what needs to be removed from the proposal.

    Once we come to a decision and the proposal is accepted by the client (which specifically states any additions will cost extra) then I begin on the site after I get a deposit on the site. If they have images then they can provide them, if not then I will. Once the structure of the site is built then the client has full access to the site to see and test while it is being built.

    If the client decides "Oh wait, I wanted this or that" then they are reminded of the proposal and the extra charge if discussed. The extra charge is paid for right then and there. Once everything is done then the client and my staff test the site, when everybody is satisfied then the client pays the remainder of his/her bill and the site is installed on their server.

    I then offer lifetime support of the site.

    James

    P.S. I only build dynamic php driven websites, I do not build html sites... Because of this the client can add most of his/her content from the admin area..
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    • Profile picture of the author geekspeak
      We do a design - yes one, and they may have one design iteration. They can pay for more. We are careful to get what they want up front in writting.

      We require half up front ie half the money on acceptance of quote then second half upon acceptance of proof (PSD).

      We get sign off of acceptance of the proof so as to REDUCE scope slippage.

      We then bill them for their hosting the 20th after their site has been built but awaiting their content, this puts the heat on.

      This means if they want to take three months, we don't care - we've been paid.

      My experience is that few people know what they really want and will expect you to do lots of things for free. This is a fact of life in the game. The only thing I can say is CYA (cover your ass) and just document well and set the expectations. You'll still get slippage but it will be reduced.

      Just my two cents.

      Cheers - Toby
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      • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
        Originally Posted by geekspeak View Post

        We do a design - yes one, and they may have one design iteration. They can pay for more. We are careful to get what they want up front in writting.

        We require half up front ie half the money on acceptance of quote then second half upon acceptance of proof (PSD).

        We get sign off of acceptance of the proof so as to REDUCE scope slippage.

        We then bill them for their hosting the 20th after their site has been built but awaiting their content, this puts the heat on.

        This means if they want to take three months, we don't care - we've been paid.

        My experience is that few people know what they really want and will expect you to do lots of things for free. This is a fact of life in the game. The only thing I can say is CYA (cover your ass) and just document well and set the expectations. You'll still get slippage but it will be reduced.

        Just my two cents.

        Cheers - Toby
        Thanks Toby!
        David
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    • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
      Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet View Post

      I have dealt with thousands of clients, each and every site I have built has always been from scratch. I do not use any wordpress or other pre-made solution.

      I provide the client a upfront detailed proposal that details exactly everything that I am going to do. I base this proposal on what they posted that they wanted. Since many clients do not understand development of a site I provide the indepth details for them. We both then discuss this proposal and I explain things if needed as we do this. We both decide what needs to be included and what needs to be removed from the proposal.

      Once we come to a decision and the proposal is accepted by the client (which specifically states any additions will cost extra) then I begin on the site after I get a deposit on the site. If they have images then they can provide them, if not then I will. Once the structure of the site is built then the client has full access to the site to see and test while it is being built.

      If the client decides "Oh wait, I wanted this or that" then they are reminded of the proposal and the extra charge if discussed. The extra charge is paid for right then and there. Once everything is done then the client and my staff test the site, when everybody is satisfied then the client pays the remainder of his/her bill and the site is installed on their server.

      I then offer lifetime support of the site.

      James

      P.S. I only build dynamic php driven websites, I do not build html sites... Because of this the client can add most of his/her content from the admin area..
      Thanks James!
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  • Profile picture of the author Quentin
    I use wordpress and take in my laptop with Artisteer and build it with them.

    Takes about half an hour and as they provide the input I get very few changes though once we finish I give the them the artx file and they can change if they want and send me the artx file and just compile and upload. Very few make any changes.

    As for content I ask a few main questions. If I have to do content for them I add it to the price.

    Quentin
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    • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
      Originally Posted by Quentin View Post

      I use wordpress and take in my laptop with Artisteer and build it with them.

      Takes about half an hour and as they provide the input I get very few changes though once we finish I give the them the artx file and they can change if they want and send me the artx file and just compile and upload. Very few make any changes.

      As for content I ask a few main questions. If I have to do content for them I add it to the price.

      Quentin
      Hi Quentin, I was just looking at Artisteer - how user friendly is that program, and is it very buggy? How easy was the learning curve?


      Thanks!
      David
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  • Profile picture of the author TheRealDomainer
    In addition:
    1. Getting a client to decide on a design without bogging down in indecision?
    You cannot work for all Clients. You will know some clients whom you cannot work for and do not proceed.
    Yes, give them sample designs and show them designs you have done previously for your clients.

    2. Getting a client to actually provide necessary content like images and verbiage for the site?
    State this is your contract. As for me, 5 .jpg pictures, additional cost for any image that is to be added, give them standard pages and any other page attracts more money. You need to know their colour and not what you want.

    3. Getting them to commit and finalize a site design and prevent them from endlessly wanting minor tweaks?
    Cost your job per hour and resources involved. give your client between 2 to 3 week to finalize. At least 50 percnent upfront payment, upload and when he is satisfied with your design, another 50% and the balane once you have completed it.

    Henry Omenogor
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    • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
      Originally Posted by TheRealDomainer View Post

      In addition:
      1. Getting a client to decide on a design without bogging down in indecision?
      You cannot work for all Clients. You will know some clients whom you cannot work for and do not proceed.
      Yes, give them sample designs and show them designs you have done previously for your clients.

      2. Getting a client to actually provide necessary content like images and verbiage for the site?
      State this is your contract. As for me, 5 .jpg pictures, additional cost for any image that is to be added, give them standard pages and any other page attracts more money. You need to know their colour and not what you want.

      3. Getting them to commit and finalize a site design and prevent them from endlessly wanting minor tweaks?
      Cost your job per hour and resources involved. give your client between 2 to 3 week to finalize. At least 50 percnent upfront payment, upload and when he is satisfied with your design, another 50% and the balane once you have completed it.

      Henry Omenogor
      Thank you Henry, I appreciate your input.
      David
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  • 1) Design decision - Get their basic design parameters, give them three options and phrase it like "Which one do you want?" <i>Specify this process in the work order.</i>

    2) Content - Don't leave it in their hands. Make professional content development part of your value proposition. Ask them what they want to say, then say it better. If they insist on using their own copy, fine. You can lead a horse to water...

    3) Endless tweaking -- Give them some sort of CMS, custom or out-of-box, so that they can tweak away endlessly. Let them know that any tweaking you do after the site is up costx $x/hr.
    Signature
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