I have a question for existing web firms which has been something my company has been trying to improve, how to quickly get clients in and out of the door.


We currently work in 4 phases: initial deposit, gui development, content integration, and final testing/approval. Each time a phase is completed, an invoice is sent out for that phase.

The problem we run into is that once the gui is wrapped up, the project just sits because we are waiting on content which can be several months.


We tried approaching this differently by collecting all of the content first but in doing so we have a hard time getting to that first phase or even a sign off of the contract for that matter.

I am curious to how other companies approach this dilemma. If you are willing to share, please do so.

Darren,

As a freelance web designer, I sometimes fall in the same situation as you. For a matter of fact, I am experiencing that situation right now. My client currently works 70+ hours a week and hardly has time to check up with me. Maybe once every week or so.

I think the best way to have the site completed in a timely manner would be through a contract which you and the client agrees upon. That way, both if you guys will get what you want during the phases of the web site and not have to wait.

It just makes it difficult because after some time has passed, some of your original work ends up getting changed and then you are almost doing double the work.

Next time I have to use a more interesting title to get people in here.

Originally Posted by darrenfox

It just makes it difficult because after some time has passed, some of your original work ends up getting changed and then you are almost doing double the work.

Next time I have to use a more interesting title to get people in here.

I always have this issue when I freelance. I get paid half up front, half when the job is finished - so at least I have something to show for my hardwork, sweat, and somtimes tears.

A contract is always a good idea - but I have created a roster. I tell the customer that the design aspect will be done on "X-Date" - and I will allow "X-Time" for them to get me the information. If I don't have that information within that time (that we agreed on) - I move to my next client and focus my attention on their site.

It may not be the best practice for a firm, but for a word-of-mouth freelancer this has served me well. I get paid half up front, and then my new client pays me half up front, it's like the initial project was finished. It is up to the customer to provide me their content. In the meantime they are paying $$$ and not getting any benefit out of it.

I once had a customer pay me for the hosting (for that year) and the initial set up (I charge a set-up fee) and I never heard from him again. I have called, emailed and faxed. So basically, for me, it was free money.

You're always going to run into problems with some clients getting content to you. I once had to wait more than a year for a client to get content to me.

Try to get your clients more involved in getting content to you earlier in the process. You might not need to integrate it into specific pages till later, but there's no reason you have to wait till then to get it. You should at least know what the content is going to be prior to creating the navigation.

Also set your billing in a way that you don't lose money even if a client doesn't turn over the content. If the first two deposits cover the cost of designing and developing the template what's the worry with waiting on the content.

Why does your original work get changed? You shouldn't be turning over the site until it's paid in full.

When I work with a client I develop their site locally and then on my servers. Once everything is paid in full then I transfer files to the client's server. The only reason your work should be changed prior to finishing the work is if you change it.

If the changes are coming from clients requesting changes that's a different story with an easy solution. When a client requests a change just reply that you'll get back to them later in the day with a price for the changes or just give them a price to make the change. Most clients will drop the request as soon as they know they have to pay for it.

In order to do the above you want to be very clear in what work you are providing for what price before you begin work.

I also develop in a way to so that changes are as easy to make as possible. Certain things like changing the background color of your navigation can be set up so it doesn't take more than a few seconds to change. Things like that I don't mind changing for the client. On the other hand if they request structural layout changes I tell them how much it will cost and they either pay me more or suddenly become very happy with the original layout.