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Website Design - When Clients Want 80% Demos - Waste of Time?

by RyanLester
17 replies
What are your thoughts on clients who want demos that are almost fully complete?

At the end of the day, they say no thank you....

What are your thoughts?
#80% #clients #demos #design #time #waste #website
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Nguyen
    Originally Posted by RyanLester View Post

    What are your thoughts on clients who want demos that are almost fully complete?

    At the end of the day, they say no thank you....

    What are your thoughts?
    Get 50% down or walkaway, can already he's a cheap client and will take the mickey mouse.
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  • Profile picture of the author kxp
    Banned
    Seems like you have bad demos.
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    • Profile picture of the author jbyte
      I usually ask for a deposit, some even pay upfront. For those who refuse, so do I.
      This way I usually get something for my work regardless.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Mockup in photoshop? Fine
    True working demo? Only with deposit.
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  • Profile picture of the author jspmedia
    I would say contract signed and deposit..make some terms
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  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    Originally Posted by RyanLester View Post

    What are your thoughts on clients who want demos that are almost fully complete?

    At the end of the day, they say no thank you....

    What are your thoughts?
    What are your thoughts about building me a house thats almost complete and then I will tell you if I want it or not?

    Thats why they have model homes.

    I feel like you are putting yourself (anyone , not just Ryan) in a bad
    position by taking this approach to selling websites. There is no sense in doing a custom build for someone who is not even sure that they want the finished product.
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  • Profile picture of the author goodmast3r
    Deposit first, then you can start working on it. They can see your quality from your past work.
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  • Profile picture of the author LarryHoffman
    Next.............
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  • Profile picture of the author Huskerdarren
    Don't do it. Your portfolio speaks for itself. They layout their vision and you can either do it or not. Gather their specs and give them a time and cost. 50% non refundable deposit goes down with the rest done upon completion.

    You want the business, but you must maintain control or be willing to walk away.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Absolutely a waste of time. Unpaid-for demos are for shoppers who are turning you into a commodity and comparing you against other designers. Is that solving their problem? Digging into their world? Learning more about them?

    Nope. Just throwing something against the wall and hoping it sticks.

    Require a payment that satisfies you for doing the mock-up. Don't give it to them until you're on the line or with them in person, and going over it together so that you can hear their LIVE reactions. Otherwise you may never hear those reactions...and never hear from them again.

    Then they own the design. If they want another designer to implement, fine; you got paid. If they want you to do it, the initial small payment is deducted off the implementation payment. You're covered either way. Don't do free consulting.
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    • Profile picture of the author 63lincoln
      I'll be the first to admit I still on occasion give too much away. But brother listen to these guys and my advice. People take things more seriously when they put up money. 50% down to begin work. And I have received deposits and the client failed to follow thru. But my initial time was covered because of the deposit.

      The cheaper you are with your prices and giving away stuff just marks you for trouble clients. They are the ones that will bring you down.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    If you do this you will almost certainly get clients talking down your price using the excuse that why should they pay you all that money when most of the site has already been done.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rearden
    No way.

    Ask them how'd they'd react if a prospect offered to complete 80% of his order. Without a deposit, or a contractual commitment.

    Then go for the close -- if you've sold it properly, reiterate his hot-points, get him to concede the price is right and the ideas you give him he likes, and tell him it will only take an order or 2 to pay off your fee, assuming you've garnered that info in the initial fact-finding process. Then whip out your service agreement and start filling it out.
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  • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
    Your time is worth money, don't let people clown you around. Get that deposit, as mentioned. There are many people, that will take advantage of you. Being Cheap can bring in lower quality clients.
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  • Profile picture of the author TeamBringIt
    I highly recommend that you or anyone else in the offline sector or in business in general take a look at this book. How to Sell at Prices Higher Than Your...How to Sell at Prices Higher Than Your... .
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  • Profile picture of the author mjbmedia
    They should be able to decide enough to say yes far earlier than the point you mention.
    If they cant or wont then they either arent being educated enough or they are just wasters (you havent closed them well enough maybe) . Look at the steps you take and consider putting in some more decisive definite steps where its yes committed or no and walk away.
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    Mike

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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Martin
    I always ALWAYS make sure I have a deposit before I even lift a finger for a client. If they're stubborn and want to know why tell them that you have employees to pay and you've been burned in the past by clients who have backed out. Reassure them with a portfolio. That's what I've done and I've never had a client refuse an initial deposit after discussing it.
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    "Be the hero of your own movie."
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