Part 3: Tips for Running a Successful Web Design Business
My third piece of advice in the “Tips for Running a Successful Web Design Business” series involves establishing clear deliverables through written contracts with your customers. Deliverables can include design drafts, edits, revisions and completed works, recurring monthly services and the like.
Tip 3: “Get it in Writing”
Every professional designer, web or other, has encountered clients that can’t make up their minds about the details of a specific project or design. Worst case scenarios involve a group of individuals with varying tastes or expectations attempting to come to a unanimous decision at the expense of your time and effort. These attempts typically steer you on a course back to the drawing board.
But heading back to the drawing board isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as you’re getting paid for it. That’s why it’s imperative that you establish written contracts with your clients that clearly outline the products or services you’ll be delivering at what price.
The simplest way to approach the matter is to offer your customers a time estimate for the project with an hourly rate attached. If you find yourself in a “too many hands stirring the pot” scenario like the one above, you need only remind your clients about the time you’ve spent on the project to date and your hourly rates. If they aren’t concerned about the accruing costs, good for you. If they are concerned, the situation will spur them toward progressive decision making.
Another way to insure that your getting full compensation for your time is to provide your customers with a detailed description of your services and pricing. The keyword here is “detailed”. If you are designing a logo, let your clients know in writing that you will provide so many design drafts and so many revisions for such and such a price. Once you’ve delivered, let your customer know that additional work will require additional compensation.
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