10
votes
Accepted
How to setup client ownership of domain name and hosting
Most often what I do is send the client a link....
Hi Client,
Here is a link to the hosting package you'll need:
(insert link here)
Please follow the steps to sign up, including paying ...
- 17.3k
9
votes
Client suspended dev work, but still wants fixes
An exception or two can be made.
When you do so (fix bugs for free, outside your economic/contractual agreement) don't forget to remember to your client that what you do is a favor/exception because ...
- 1,131
9
votes
Accepted
Hired for work but problem was fixed by the client's hosting
Absolutely! If you did the work you were expected to do, and there was an agreement in place beforehand (even verbal), then I'd expect you to send them a bill.
This client may decide not to pay it, ...
- 6,793
9
votes
How to work with a micro-manage client
Sometimes the money is not worth it.
I offer discounted prices for well-behaved clients, and I overcharged the ones that are, well, no good people.
Here's how you've got to look at it, the client is ...
- 573
8
votes
Accepted
I have a meeting with a potential client tomorrow and I have no idea what to do
First off, calm down. Nothing good comes from those who panic, and don't think things thoroughly!
Now that you're calmed down, I want you to Ask a Duck. Pretend your duck is the client, and they are ...
- 6,793
8
votes
Accepted
How many hours of free transition/exit time should I give a client who just ended a long term contract?
Free??? No, no, no.
The client has already indicated that they're looking to save a buck. Now, pose this question: how does the work that you've already been doing suddenly become worth less money ...
- 5,304
7
votes
Accepted
I.T home support - protecting myself
Although open-ended, I'll try to address it as best as possible.
GET A CONTRACT DRAWN UP ASAP! Do not offer remote support, except to those you know quite well, and personally.
The contract should ...
- 6,793
7
votes
How to setup client ownership of domain name and hosting
I will usually recommend a domain and web hosting provider for my clients, since they normally do not have any existing hosting, and don't usually know enough to choose one themselves. I will ...
- 379
7
votes
Accepted
Should I debug application on customer server if it wasn't previously discussed as part of the job?
I would have to say that this is an opinion based question and there is no right or wrong answer. My answer is based on my desire to do the right thing for my clients.
I would say yes, but to a point....
- 605
7
votes
Accepted
Should I Provide Free Support for Sometime
No you should not. Support should be a package they pay for, under your terms.
You build an app. It is tested by the end user, signed off and paid for, and only then does it go live.
If bugs become ...
- 1,730
7
votes
Accepted
small web project, is it reasonable to not meet with the client?
Let me tell a story....
I did some (very) minor design work about 5-10 years ago for a client who is older and not at all "tech savvy". It wasn't an expensive job... and really I only agreed to it ...
- 17.3k
7
votes
How to work with a micro-manage client
Generally, you cannot change clients; you can merely select the ones you want to work for and those you don't. The only factor where you are in full control is how you handle a client.
For some ...
- 3,672
6
votes
I have a meeting with a potential client tomorrow and I have no idea what to do
This is a sales meeting. It's for you to find out what he wants, for him to get a sense of who you are, and for both of you to decide whether his requirements and your skills are a good match and ...
- 846
6
votes
How to setup client ownership of domain name and hosting
I have a friend who is part owner of many hosting companies throughout the USA and Canada (he has dual citizenship), and he is able to have the customers sign up directly through him. I assume this is ...
- 6,793
6
votes
How to deal with a lying customer?
Whenever you run across an issue like this, you frame it like an accident. "Well, it looks like you accidentally opened the email and then flagged it as spam. I know you probably go through a lot of ...
- 1,660
6
votes
Accepted
When is a job too small for meetings?
I like this question: I struggled with the exact same thing with meetings in general. Clients one hour away asking me to join in on a meeting. I usually ended up spending an afternoon with 2 hours ...
- 1,619
6
votes
Raise price of hourly rate for existing client
Every one of us has come to this point. In my case, at some point when I got "too many" clients, I started filtering them on those keep working and those that simply take my time.
I sent circular ...
- 14.2k
6
votes
Accepted
How to help a client understand that 16-hour effort doesn't mean deliver the next day?
So you told the client it would be 16 hours of effort to complete, and that you need 3 weeks to complete it... What the client hears is "I need 16 hours ... to complete".
This comes down to the ...
- 6,793
6
votes
Safest way to send Credit Card information when communication is through email
A zipped archive is only helpful if it is encrypted with a password, and the password is not sent via email. As well, the customer would need to ensure they're following the instructions exactly to ...
- 6,793
5
votes
How Much Information is Enough Information?
Don't try to explain anymore than the customer is fully able to comprehend, otherwise the discussion will never end.
At the end of the day, what the customer should care about is impact:
how long ...
- 582
5
votes
Client suspended dev work, but still wants fixes
You don't get free maintenance on a vehicle (unless you've paid for it, which means it really isn't free) or it's under warranty.
Likewise, unless you handed over your code and specifically mentioned ...
- 5,304
5
votes
Accepted
Freelance programmer's monthly fees, expectations too high?
Ah, the good old fashioned "stuff works and never breaks" assumption from a non-it manager.
First up, DBA requirements. Advise them that if they do not wish to procure DBA support from you, they will ...
- 1,030
5
votes
Controlling stress associated with maintenance services
Your friend is a guy called SLA.
Service Level Agreement
You set how heavy the lash is for the amount of money the client is willing to pay. Doesn't matter the job.
Low pay - SLA of 5 business days
...
- 573
5
votes
How to reject a project that does not fit with my skills or goes beyond my skills in order to keep your client for future projects?
The best way to keep that client is to find a subcontractor who can do the job. In that way, you move from being "a programmer" to "someone who solves computer problems." When you ...
- 1,067
4
votes
Designing Websites without CMS
I do this all the time.
I made the mistake of providing hosting/domain services for a couple clients a few years ago. It was a nightmare and I won't do it again.
While a perfectly valid revenue ...
- 17.3k
4
votes
Designing Websites without CMS
Don't bother thinking how, whom or when a product will be updated if you plan selling stand-alone services.
Your only responsibility is to inform your clients about what they really get by choosing ...
- 1,131
4
votes
Is there a freelancers' website only for Windows Server troubleshooting jobs?
I think the role you're trying to fit, because it is moreso task oriented and not product (deliverable) oriented, is not a good fit for the websites you're describing in the comments. Aside from that ...
- 5,304
4
votes
I added my client to WhatsApp, now I get messages from him at 11pm. How to act?
Do you use WhatsApp personally? Or just for your business?
I would just create a canned response, and turn the app OFF after business hours. Turn it back on in the morning when you're expected to be ...
- 6,793
4
votes
How do I determine support rate if not previously negotiated?
I would bill your full price, since this has not been agreed upon before and the client asked for your bill.
In this case, I think billing this hour full price establishes the price of your support ...
- 81
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible