22
votes
Accepted
How to handle silly requirements?
In my experience, when prospective clients specify technologies, they're coming more from a place of having heard of others using them successfully, rather than of having considered the use case and ...
- 336
15
votes
My client wants me to use pirated software. What should I do?
Client wants me to steal secret plans from the CEO of his competing company.
He sent an email today detailing where I can find the plans, how to break into his offices, and a schedule for when the ...
- 17.3k
9
votes
How to compete with free apps?
Since you're looking to provide a paid app, it's certainly hard to compete price-wise with a free app (but oddly enough, not impossible; I'll explain later). In that case, you need to compete in a ...
- 1,617
9
votes
Accepted
Should I become a freelance web developer or a freelance software developer?
I think you should shoot high. The sky is the limit for you. You already have a lot of skills for your age. I think it is totally possible to make some money with freelance web development to pay ...
- 114
8
votes
Accepted
Should an agreement with software engineer contractor include a clause that the engineer is not liable of any company's losses?
Under no circumstances should you allow yourself to have unlimited liability.
The phrase used in contracts to prevent this is usually of the form:
'You shall indemnify and hold the Developer harmless ...
- 1,217
8
votes
Should I charge the client when I get stuck on stupid mistakes
I couldn't help but leave my own insights on this matter as two existing answers are all implying a client shouldn't be charged for his employee's mistakes.
If this question is about the right of ...
- 181
7
votes
Accepted
How to deliver licensed software to client
If YOU own the code, then YOU are the only one who gets to keep the source code. Clients get installation files, compiled or otherwise. And a written licensing agreement that asserts your rights ...
- 631
6
votes
How to deliver licensed software to client
First of all, it depends on the license of software.
A 'Perpetual License for Use' is non-descriptive. You must define 'use' (i.e. use to sell, use to re-distribute, use to modify are all possible ...
- 1,018
6
votes
How to handle silly requirements?
If, after talking with them at length about their requirements and how well their requirements mesh with my capabilities, they still choose a platform that isn't as well suited to their project as ...
- 221
6
votes
How to compete with free apps?
Pivot.
If you find a competitor that is much bigger than you (Google), or doing what you are doing better or for free (open source)- a very good option is to pivot. Perform a deep analysis of the ...
- 61
6
votes
Complicated situation with client and a never ending project
Why do you allow being treated like this? "Calling me every 2h and messaging every 15min + threatening" - WFT bro????
I would never, NEVER, N E V E R allow being treated like this.
Now, aside of ...
- 14.2k
5
votes
How to compete with free apps?
I faced a similar situation. I developed a test data generator while there is a lot of such product out there. Some are free others are paid.
It was 8 years ago and me and my product are still there ...
5
votes
Fixed price development days contract
You'll want a sort of retainer agreement. There are other answers that explain about retainers, and when to use them.
Essentially, they want you available for a long while, which gives you some ...
- 6,793
5
votes
How to deliver licensed software to client
You generate executables. NEVER give up your source code (and likewise, rights to your repository) unless that's what the client is paying for.
- 5,304
5
votes
How much do I charge to build a web app?
This really tells us nothing about what the application will actually do or its complexity. AND we're not here to do that for you anyway.
You can go about this two ways:
1) Pick an hourly rate that ...
- 5,304
5
votes
Accepted
How much do I charge to build a web app?
Pricing is notoriously difficult as it depends on several factors:
Your own desired hourly rate
What the client typically pays
The perceived value to the client
Whether the project is similar to ...
- 3,672
5
votes
My client wants me to use pirated software. What should I do?
If you really need the job I'd look for comparable software that would be legal to use.
Personally, I'd drop the project like a hot potatoe.
- 435
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
Accepted
What should I do if a project fails?
Since you are using Upwork I suggest you try to resolve this with the client. This way both will be happy.
You made a big mistake. You continued to work although you knew that something is not ...
- 14.2k
4
votes
Desktop software for time tracking
Toggl works for me for several years. It is an online service but they have a desktop app (as well as Android/iOS apps); Their desktop app detects the inactivity and asks you to keep or drop this time....
- 136
4
votes
Accepted
How to handle computer processing time when billing client?
A way to do it, is to estimate the value of the CPU processing time against your gross margin on a regular (monthly/yearly) basis, versus a previous period (month/year).
Example:
Last month you've ...
- 96
4
votes
Accepted
If using Gumroad, is there still a need to become self employed in the EU?
Yes to the question title, no to the question in the text. Gumroad simply deals with the EU VAT paperwork for you, nothing else. Registering as self-employed, filing taxes with HMRC etc. is all a ...
- 284
4
votes
Accepted
Should I keep my IC wages the same even though I have a salaried job?
No. If you're charging less than "market", then clients may get the impression that you're taking on work for cheap because you're not very good at it. The other side of the situation is that your 9-...
- 5,304
4
votes
Accepted
Should I charge the client when I get stuck on stupid mistakes
Delays which are due to your business/working practices are typically not the clients responsibility.
Let's look at the situation with a similar scenario.....
You're working along on a client's ...
- 17.3k
3
votes
I'm converting a desktop software as a cloud service. Is there any ratio between their prices?
I doubt there is a standard ratio. Unless your product is unique, its pricing and licensing structure should be designed to compete with similar products and any alternatives to using those products. ...
- 169
3
votes
Is it possible to make money while giving software away for free?
Well, you're sounding like you want to go down the entrepreneurial path. Good luck with that.
I used to have similar questions when I started out as an internet entrepreneur.
Yes, you can make money ...
- 31
3
votes
How to deliver licensed software to client
It depends on the license. You may provide only binaries. I usually license under the GPL and deliver a source tarball.
This is a very large field and it depends on the specifics of the license and ...
- 4,786
3
votes
Desktop software for time tracking
This might not solve directly your billing time needs, but it's really helpful to track your productivity and see where you spent your working time: RescueTime.
You install a small application that ...
- 31
3
votes
Should I charge for an Android app by charging for access to a companion website or should I just charge for the app itself?
Good question, with such a small user base one cannot do many experiments.
There is a fine line between "covering your costs" and "making a profit". Users tend to accept the first but tend to get ...
- 131
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible