Hi everyone,

 

This one has got me abit unsure about what to do. In the past where possible ive always put my link on the bottom of clients sites (with their permission of course - some have removed, some never even launched in the end, etc etc)

 

Now this is where it gets tricky. I am just wrapping up another job, and the client has said they want me to put my link at the bottom (i didnt even ask) as they are trying to be nice. The problem comes in that it was only a very very cheap job for a friend, so isnt quite up to scratch with the rest of my portfolio work.

 

It would have been, if they hadnt have got blinkered and chosen things that really dont work. Ive tried to advice against some of their ideas, but they just kept saying they knew best. So ive done it as they asked (coding is nice and clean, the design is the problem for me, too "basic")

 

Now do i put a link at the bottom? It is a question of whether it can do more harm than good.

 

Reaper

Yes put the link on. You did the job your customer asked for. That is the point isnt it really about web design? We know more detail about stuff but at the end of the day the site is their's. If there is any comeback from potential customers you have already stated perfectly good reasons....you did what you were asked!

 

All the best

you might get some other work through that and if it links to your site with a portfolio of better work then it would be wise to include the link in the footer

HaHa. I know how you feel. We've had such customers before and we've decided not to put our link on the site.

 

The way I see it is associating your brand with that site, and if cheap websites is not your main business then its better not to associate your name with such work. You're not talking to potential clients directly on the web so you probably won't get the chance to explain to them that it was what the client wanted. And even if you would the first impression is very important.

 

I don't think that single link is that important as to be worth the bad publicity.

I understand where you're coming from. It's a tricky one.

@Guezala, the problem is, even though he did the work they had asked for, potential customers don't know that, they barely even think about that, so seeing the site, if it is quite low-spec, may carry the thought that "well, the guy who designed this isn't very good - is he? I certainly won't use him!" - Boom! Lost a potential client because of one "bad" site.

 

On the other hand, Guezala is right in that it's promotion regardless of the site designed.

 

If I were you, and you feel strongly about it, I'd leave it off.

I tend to agree with Victor, if its not the sort of site you want to be associated with then its probably best to leave it off, also somebody seeing the site may contact you wanting a cheap and cheerful when that is not the sort of custom you may be aiming for,

If they are a friend, then if you politely explain that you appreciate the thought behind putting the link on the site for you, but the site does not represent your target market, I'm sure they will understand.

I am thinking of adding it anyway, but putting "website coded by" rather than "website built by"

 

Reaper

I doubt people would realise the difference. They're unlikely to know the difference between just coding a website and fully building one. It's a tough decision.

 

Wish you the best of luck

If it helps, here is the first draft of the site, but this is without the full content and logo/slogan (going on top right where bright coloured bit is) they are providing:

 

http://reaperwebdesign.freehostia.com/JnJ/index5.htm

Urgh yeah - leave it off.

If you want a link you could put as you said, website developed by.... and designed by .... that way it is clear that you weren't involved in the design process, as some would see coded by and think that you designed it as well.

I did consider offering them something alot nicer for £20 extra. Just use a £35 template....

 

Reaper

Well this is a tricky one. Until I saw the site I thought 'no publicity is bad publicity' but I can see what you're saying Reaper. If I were you I'd leave it off, particularly if you have strong local ties.

 

Also I don't believe your average joe would interprate designed/developed/coded by any differently.

 

All the best of luck with it,

 

Chris

Wow, now that's ugly. You're probably better off leaving your name out of this.

Had exactly the same issue a few months ago, got asked by a friend to sort out her dads company site set-up circa 15 years ago and never touched since, had a beautiful vector re-draw of the company logo and a fresh modern layout, until the middle manager stepped in , he wanted this and had to have that and he thought this thing he saw on this other site looked "great" , so by the time he had finished he had a hideous collage, but no matter how much i "suggested" toning it down, he thought it looked great , so i just don't have any links to the work that would associate it with me , I simply told them that I wasn't looking for a client base in their industry

Haha, why does that always happen?

 

This one is a "i like that logo and the menu on the left, the sun from here, the thingy from there, etc"

If it helps, here is the first draft of the site, but this is without the full content and logo/slogan (going on top right where bright coloured bit is) they are providing:

 

http://reaperwebdesign.freehostia.com/JnJ/index5.htm

 

YAY PINK!!!

 

I'd leave it on. Any promotion is good promotion right?

You like it then Paul?

 

If you get a few hours, feel free to lend a hand making it nicer, hehe

Here's my two cents:

 

Sometimes it's inappropriate to place your link on the bottom of a client's website, it might give them a bad name, it might give you a bad name or there might just be nowhere to put it. What I mean is, you may be approached by a web development company to design your website for you, because let's face it, some developers aren't good at design at all, in which case, it'd be a little unfair for you to place 'Designed by <someone else>' in the footer, because consumers will see it and think 'Why haven't they designed in themselves? If they can't do their own site, why should they be trusted to do mine?', the same with other IT companies, and something I did for Arena IT Solutions.

 

I look at it like this; if you by a Ford, it'll have the Ford name on it and you're driving around in that car, most people will keep that on, however you're entitled to take that badge off any time you want.

Reaper, let me know how you handle the situation, id be interested to hear how you go

Why did you make it look that way in the first place?

Were you pissed off with them paying peanuts? No offence mate but it looks pretty bad for whatever money

 

Dont put your link there

well, if you don't put the link on the site, then potential customers from your friend's site wont know about you at all... zero exposure... if you include it, then there is at least a chance (however small) that you might generate some leads because to be honest, people have varying degrees of expectation in web design and they wont contact you unless they want a job done so really, unless you're a major player in your area with a reputation to uphold, you have nothing to lose

Char,

 

It started off as me having full control, with a £200 budget. enough to give my graphics mate £100 to do me a nice design, and i code it for £100 (fairly cheap)

 

This then dropped to £100 as they were tight on money. I agreed, saying i would do my best, and not bring in second person. Then Voila, they say they like this from that site, this from that and to be honest, its now taken me nearly 10 hours, and it is going to be another 10 if they keep messing me about.

 

Was so close to dropping it, but as its for a friends mum, it doesnt look good for them, even though apparently her mum has been badmouthing me, saying i am unprofessional because i asked her to pay £30 for a years hosting.

 

 

Reaper

Is difficult to know what you should do. I guess if you're really not happy with this site, then I can see why you don't want to associate with it through a link.

 

I think though, that 'cause you're used to designing, you probably see it differently from the average person who knows nothing about web design. I think LYKC has a good point there. I can see from the quality of the work you usually do from your website, that this is more basic, but there might be a lot of people out there who think your basic site does what it needs to.

 

I'd put your link on it and then forget about it, 'cause people who know more about web design would check out your other work anyway, and there you would not have a problem in my opinion. Is up to you though and what you'd feel comfortable with.

DUDE! Always stick in a link, but not webdesigned by <linky>YOUR NAME</linky> use the space and the link to stick in your anchor text and look at it as a part of your link building campaign. Whatever your targeted keyword is, maybe web dev wherever you live. Who cares if they site doesnt look amazing, there are people on here who produce far worse sites than yours and are proud of it.