| When setting up in business as a web designer, the | | | | a written contract, you should clearly state in your |
| very first thing you should do is draw up a written | | | | contract that should the client change their minds or |
| contract, so that both you and your clients know | | | | should their requirements change, that you have the |
| exactly where you both stand. Many designers often | | | | right to bill for work already undertaken. Most clients |
| state that they learned the importance of a contract | | | | fully understand and expect to pay for your |
| the hard way, don't wait until you get "stung", before | | | | additional time and work, but you are likely to get |
| deciding you need one. | | | | the odd one or two, that will ask you to do "this one |
| Below are also a few more important point: | | | | little extra thing, at no extra charge", and whilst you |
| Don't do more than you are being paid to do - This | | | | may be happy to do so, just keep in mind that "one |
| may sound obvious, however at some stage you are | | | | little extra thing", can quickly lead to another and |
| likely to encounter a client who will try to get you to | | | | another. |
| do extra work at no extra cost, remember this is | | | | Don't be tempted to undervalue your work or time - |
| your job, and like any other job your time is money. | | | | professional web design is a skill/art. If your pricing is |
| Stick to your contract - If a client initially comes to | | | | fair to begin with, don't be tempted to lower it in |
| you with a specific set of requirements, once you | | | | order to get a specific job, you will always get some |
| have completed the work, should the client suddenly | | | | people who are just looking for the cheapest option, |
| decide that they have changed their mind or that | | | | therefore you are never going to get every single |
| they now want additional features or functions, you | | | | job that you quote for (unless you are extremely |
| need to explain clearly to them that this was not in | | | | lucky), so knowing that you quoted a fair price is |
| your original quote, therefore you will have to charge | | | | really all you can do. |
| extra for the additional work. Remember, if you did | | | | Summary: Whilst most clients will be a pleasure to |
| the work to the clients initial requirements, you can't | | | | work with, just be aware that at some stage you |
| be expected to keep on working for nothing. Going | | | | are likely to get the odd one that will try to take |
| back to my earlier point regarding the importance of | | | | advantage and you really need to stand your ground. |