Topic How long should I re-design a website

juni_83

I have a contract with this person and I have to design and develop a website. The problem is that we're still at the step where I'm designing the main page. Why? Because he keeps changing his mind and every day he wants me to change something. This has been going on for the past 3 weeks and I'm supposed to finish the website in another 3 weeks. At this rate, I'll never be done.
What I would like to know is what I should do. I've already told him that if we keep going like this, it will take a lot longer to finish, but on the other hand I don't want to waste any more of my time. I mean, I don't want to be working on a website 2 months when I could have been done in 1.
What should I do?

technoflutemom

For me, there is nothing more frustrating than a client who doesn't know what he or she wants. In my experience, if they are putting you through this much rigamarole, nothing you do will be right. I call it the "I don't know what I want, but this sure isn't it!" syndrome.

If it was me, I would cut bait and tell the client it just wasn't working. Otherwise, create a timeline and a list of specifications and ask the client to sign off on it. If you meet the specs by the timeline, you consider the project a success and expect paid.

I really feel for you. Some people are just pains to work with. It is really ignorance -- they don't know what they want or what will work for them. You should not have to suffer because they can't make up their mind and you can't read it.

Donkey

I love when people hire you to do a job (because of your skill set and expertise) and then tell you how to do it (because they read a book or watch TV), so why again did you hire me?

aquariancore

Basically you have sit down and do a prelim with them. What you do is a set map based on their requirements Give them three design types and modify. Extras are just that and cost extra. Changes are to be addressed at first template layout. Finish and allow minor changes. Your time is money. 25% at agreement before start 50% at template and layout approval and 25% upon completion. Extras are charged upon request. That last part keeps the noise down. Make them sign each step of the way. Protect yourself.

ACCER

My personal favourite:
I designed and set up a website for a client. He loved it. I finished it early (I didn't...I build in a week just in case) and he paid on time. All was well.

3 weeks later he calls all upset because the site isn't working on his host. I looked into it and it seems he hadn't paid his bill to the host! So he pays them and is happy again.

A month later he calls upset because the site isn't working. I asked if he had paid the host fee...yes he had. I told him I'd go in and look at it.

10 minutes later I'm calling him. I asked his what he was doing earlier when he logged in...."Oh, I just wanted to change a few things...like the colour and the pictures...etc....I was just playing with it". I told him that when he saved it he had saved all his mistakes. He offered to pay me again, if I would start all over and fix it. So I did.

It took me 5 minutes. I always keep a backup.

He wasn't the first person to do that and will probably not be the last.

By the way, locally he's City Council Member!

SageMother

Very good tips! Many forget to require some type of deposit as a sign of good faith.

When I write blog articles there is always a 50% deposit required and I specify the terms for publishing. The client has first serial rights but needs to publish within 3 months to avoid losing those and my being at liberty to publish the article myself.

TheDealer

When taking on *any* design job, I clearly state upfront that a 50-75% deposit is required. I also state a time frame for completion and ask the client if they have any specifics that need attention before the project is began.

If they do not tell me upfront, then additional charges apply if modifications need to be made at a later date.

I've worked with probably 100+ clients, not including those that are return business and this has worked out every time except once and I gladly refunded the payment.

I base the amount of work placed into the job based on pay as I do it for a living. If they do not feel my work is worth what I ask, there are many other designers that will provide poor coding, over-sized images and un-optimized work for less .

10cents

Didn't you have some sort of specifics in the contract? Like he can only modify his requests 3X? A support clause would also be useful so a client have to pay extra whenever he needs help after you have submitted the final design.

ACCER

I always get it in writing how many changes they can request. It saves time. Many people seem to think that after I get started all changes should be included for free.

10cents

It does not only save time, that's the way it's supposed to be done. A web desginer can't go on changing the looks of a site at the whim of a customer. Before the actual work begins, there's should aready be a clear understanding of what needs to be done, even a mock-up...