My husband and I run a web design business. We recently started marketing and are getting a ton of clients!!! However, more often than not we underbid and end up with huge scope creep!!! Are there any seasoned Web Professionals out there that could help me????

 

Here are my issues:

1. If I don't add custom graphics to a website I feel like the client is going to say - wow this is a crappy website - I won't hire this firm again. So how do I get them to PAY for their site to look good?

2. Adding content - I always say we DON'T add the content, that's their job and inevitably I end up adding it because I have to lay it out and make it look right. AND, the content they tell me they have (2-5 pages) always turns out being a LOT more!!!!!

 

How do I politely tell them that custom graphics and added content will cost more? Do any of you include a disclaimer in the quote that says that this is a quote but that added features will be billed in addition?

 

I really need help with this. I want my clientelle to be happy but I also am very tired of giving them a $3000 site for $1000!!!!!

 

Sincerely frustrated!!

 

Dawn Michelle

Edited July 8, 201214 yr by Techmom77

hello

stock images should be either provided by your client or you need to use free stock images to reduce your cost else while you show mock up use watermarked images and ask the client to buy it for you

 

simply mention in the contract that prices dont include stock images,

or make some web packages where you include the price of stock images and put it to the client

 

i hope that makes sense?if i am not wrong in getting u?

Don't worry, this happens all to often with individuals/companies who have taken the time to learn web design but not thought about the business side of things as much.

 

First thing you need to do is get a water tight contract in place.

One that makes it painfully obvious what you are responsible for.

This should take in to consideration everything that it is possible for you to be doing including asset creation.

 

Secondly, do not under quote.

Research the job thoroughly, research the subject matter and ask lots of questions.

All jobs are different, this is why 'package systems' do not work well in the web design industry.

Work the above time in to the 'quote'

 

Thirdly, don't think of it as a 'quote' but more as an 'estimate'.

If i wanted my roof fixing and the roofer gave me a fixed price to do the work, he's either a bit stupid or very confident.

Barely any industry, except retail/sales, works on a fixed price system and neither should you. Clients will always want additional work doing, be honest and up front about your charges and tell them right away that it will cost more.

 

Fourthly, write a detailed proposal.

This should contain all the details of every element of the job and, as with the contract, should be signed off by both parties, yourself and the client, before any work commences.

 

 

To answer the two major points above.

Offer the client two prices, with and without stock images.

In general i'll work asset creation/stock image sourcing, in to the main contract/proposal as more often than not the client will require some sort of imagery on the site.

Even if the client already has their own graphics, imagery etc , it's highly unlikely to be suitable for the site straight away and generally will require a certain degree of cropping, touching up or resizing.

 

Very importantly, if the client is sourcing their own images, make sure to advise them on how to go about this and it's very important to have a section in your contract that states you are not to be held responsible for the misuse of copyright materials.

 

If the client does send you something you know is copyright theft, then email them explaining why it can not be used and explain that you require them to provide alternative content.

 

The only time to forgo the above is when you may be working along side a larger company that has a graphic design department that should be taking care of all aspects of that area.

Anything that comes to you that is unsuitable for direct placement on to the site, should be bounced back automatically with an explanation.

 

 

As for copy.

To design a site in the first place you've got to know what the copy is, it's no good designing a general template around a vague idea of what the client want's, so get hold of that content and then basically follow the guidelines for imagery above, as they are both forms of content and therefore the idea is the same.

Is the topic title misleading?

 

You can only have scope creep if you have a project scope in the first place, I'm assuming from the issues listed you don't?

1. Never Underbid

By underbid, I mean giving a price that is below what you can deliver the agreed solution for at a reasonable profit; so don't get close to break even as it could all go terribly wrong. You need to factor in a certain amount of unknowns as well.

 

 

2. What do you mean by custom graphics?

If you mean stock images, either factor them in from your hopefully complete and thorough discussions with the client or highlight that they will have to pay for them.

 

If you are talking about the look of the site itself, then that should be provided within the price.

 

 

3. Always have a contract of work

Your contract should stipulate what will be delivered for the price, this should be backed by a sufficiently detailed "specification" of some kind which outlines the features, design requirements and everything else that you will be doing for them.

 

The contract should also (in my opinion) state clearly what your terms are if the client wants to deviate from or add to whats been agreed.

 

This contract then provides you and the client protection so that they can't hold you to ransom and you can't rip them off.

 

 

4. Content

If you are not adding content, you must have that clearly cited in your contract. I was advised by my solicitor when creating contracts that you should be clear on points where the client could "reasonably assume" you will be doing something. Content is within reason, one of them.

 

If you are adding content in the first instance then you need to state limits (so they can't say it will be 30 pages of content and give you 100).

 

 

If you are not adding content, clearly state that content publishing is not included and will be billed separately; however always account for between 10% and 25% of their total content to be added if this is the case.

 

The reason being, you will undoubtedly be performing content design, you need to test, you need to demonstrate and so on.

 

Same with images.

 

 

 

Without knowing what your contract actually stipulates we can't really give any real advice for the current client.

I've adopted a fluid approach to developing a project plan & ascertaining scope

 

1.I ask client to brainstorm exactly what they want

 

2.I then review it to see it makes sense and add my advice

 

if their idea is modified for the better and you politely explain why certain changes need to be made they'll respect you generally you try to negotiate & agree scope at this point

 

you find out what they want and then develop a project plan &price accordingly

 

to Address Dawn Michelles problem more directly ,the client can have custom graphics and its going to cost $3k, with stock imagery the site will cost $1k

Is the topic title misleading?

 

You can only have scope creep if you have a project scope in the first place, I'm assuming from the issues listed you don't?

 

You guys are very forthcoming and helpful with lengthy replies but I'm wondering if you're jumping the gun a little, is there a scope in place already?

 

Without a contract it's very difficult to argue any kind of breach or creep - relying solely on email communications is dangerous and doesn't help anyone.

 

You need to spell out to the client what they're getting for their money, this isn't always obvious in a flowing email conversation!

 

edit: I'm not teaching anyone to suck eggs here, this is more aimed at the OP.

Edited July 9, 201214 yr by MMMedia

You guys are very forthcoming and helpful with lengthy replies but I'm wondering if you're jumping the gun a little, is there a scope in place already?

 

Without a contract it's very difficult to argue any kind of breach or creep - relying solely on email communications is dangerous and doesn't help anyone.

 

You need to spell out to the client what they're getting for their money, this isn't always obvious in a flowing email conversation!

 

edit: I'm not teaching anyone to suck eggs here, this is more aimed at the OP.

 

That's pretty much what we've all said here.

Understood and you've been very helpful too, but there's a lot of typing involved if it goes to waste! Need the OP to clear a few things up.