Web-designers help and opinions

[kansasskydiver 0]

I've been working on a site now for some damn time for a client. We worked out a deal for the sites and they gave me the layouts and I hence went ahead and created EXACTLY what was on the layouts. 2.5 months later, after many days of sitting on my ass waiting for responses, they have changed more and more. I've figured it down to me making less than minimum wage now for the amoutn of f*cking time I've put into the damn thing. The company I've designing the site for is owned partially by my parents, but I am not dealing with the directly. I was paid 1/5th upfront on the deal of 5 equal payments for the remainder of the time. It was never suppose to take even this long to finish this damn site and I still have 2 more to go.

Any advice? Should I just tell them to get their shit together or what? It's really starting to piss me off!

<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist!

[AggieDave 6]

Quote

Should I just tell them to get their shit together or what

Yes. Let them know they're exceeding the original agreement.

That's another reason why I do web work per hour. X amount up front for a deposit, then that comes out of the overall hour total.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[narcimund 0]

I own (with my husband) a seven person web development firm. I've been through experiences like this myself.

The proper business move at this point is to review what your verbal or written agreements were, then present your situation to the client. "This work has gone beyond the original scope. We must discuss how to get either the workload or the fee back in line." The client should be understanding. If they aren't, then immediately cancel the project and cut your losses.

Giving customers what they ask for is often very different from giving them what they need. Part of the art of doing business is getting good at discovering which customers want which of those two kinds of service.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[kansasskydiver 0]

I designed exactly what they wanted as I said, then the layout changed. I sat for 2 weeks waiting for the new layout. Then I had to redesign images, change background colors etc of everything.

Now I got my ass ripped thismorning for not using the images of the clinic, but no where in the layout that I followed TO A T!!! did they express that they wanted anything linked to anything else, just plain text.

I personally feel that I've done a damn good f*cking job and now I'm waiting around again for text and new changes instead of working on the other 2 sites they haven't even started thinking about probably!

Aggie, what is your going rate, you can pm me if you don't care to disclose it in the forums, and of course if anyone is interested, the site I've been painfully working on since Jan is Espaco Corpo

edit: Yes I know I have some duplicate images and no images in other places, this is their idea of being stupid I guess lol. Oh and they want me to put the nav-bar on the bottom of the page where anyone viewing in a 800x600 won't be able to see it. So I'm trying to discourage them away from that too

<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist!

[AndyMan 7]

Quote

Any advice? Should I just tell them to get their shit together or what? It's really starting to piss me off!

Live and learn. Nobody EVER does fix-priced bids for a reason. T&M (time and materials) is the norm.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[PrivatePyle 0]

Ah good ole feature creep.....You need to address the issue ASAP before your customer walks all over you. If you can't talk them into an hourly rate you will need to have them (or help them) draft up a requirements document (screenshots don't count). The document needs to be as specific as possible (detailing what functionality, services, etc. you will be providing) have them sign off on it and acknowledge that addendums will be allowed but are susceptible to fee renegotiation.

Good luck!

[gary350 0]

Quote

. . . the site I've been painfully working on since Jan is Espaco Corpo

Jesus, man - no wonder they are unhappy. I looked at the site and can't understand a damn word! And that's even after I stopped looking at the pictures . . .

OK - it actually looks great.

[gary350 0]

Quote

I own (with my husband). . .

Wow - how does that feel to say, LJ? Congrats again!

[narcimund 0]

Quote

Quote

I own (with my husband). . .

Wow - how does that feel to say, LJ? Congrats again!

Gary, it sounds wonderful and odd. The odder thing is watching the company grow. There are seven of us now! Tomorrow we're hosting a meeting with a new client. There will be 6 of them visiting which means THIRTEEN people in our office.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[kansasskydiver 0]

Quote

Quote

. . . the site I've been painfully working on since Jan is Espaco Corpo

Jesus, man - no wonder they are unhappy. I looked at the site and can't understand a damn word! And that's even after I stopped looking at the pictures . . .

OK - it actually looks great.

hahahaha ok I needed that man. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face. Ya like the images eh Want me to introduce ya 2?

And to LJ, you're expanding, not looking for another designer are ya? You've seen my work and I guess I'm easy to make deals with and work my ass off.

<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist!

[theskydiveguy 0]

If you parents are invloved BE CAREFUL not worth runining relationships over money.

Finish the job with a good refrence. Something to put in the portfolio. Next time decide on an hourly rate. I charge between $50 and $100 an hour depending on the contract.

Goodluck man, just dont ruin replationships over money its not worth it.

~Jeff

[gemini 0]

I've done many web sites and the billing is usually nothing but trouble. After the first few, I drafted an agreement that basically lists each page to be included, number of graphics, the delivery date, and the fee. It also specifically states that ANY changes will be charged at $40 per hour and requests for changes must be submitted in writing. 1/2 the fee is due before work starts and the last half due upon delivery. Although it has not been a problem, I include a statement that the work remains my property and is leased to the customer for use with only the abc.com domain.

Live and learn. Finish the job and move on. Just don't let them get you the next time.

Blues,
Jim

Blue skies,

Jim

[narcimund 0]

Quote

And to LJ, you're expanding, not looking for another designer are ya? You've seen my work and I guess I'm easy to make deals with and work my ass off.

We currently have two deals outstanding either one of which will require us to hire a new full-time software engineer. Aside from those, we're split between needing a new engineer next or a new designer.

Unfortunately we're really only interested in local talent for full-time jobs. We're not experienced enough managers to feel comfortable with telecommuting.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[nightjumps 1]

Quote

And to LJ, you're expanding, not looking for another designer are ya? You've seen my work and I guess I'm easy to make deals with and work my ass off.

Well, we know you will work for less than minimum wage....

[JoeyRamone 0]

That is why you need a signed SOW ( Statement of work) and have a set pay plan.. At each deliverable you should be paid, after sign off. Anything out of scope is a change order and you charge more.

Go back, set the deliverables in place and get paid for what you are doing. Working with family and friends can be a bad situation

[WFFC 1]

I'll do fixed quotes sometimes once I have all the requirements. After they accept, I give them a cooling of period and advise that any changes after the cooling off period will be done at the standard hourly rate. Once the cooling off period is over, I start.

-----
~~~Michael