Website made for my first client
Hi everyone,
I'd like to know what you guys think. I made my first webstie for a client. For free. I am doing this for the experience and my client cannot pay which he specified upfront. I am ok with that because he said he might in the future.
http://pampalini.siterubix.com/
For now, I am temporarely hosting it on my account, but I had him sign up at WA. If I am not mistaken I cannot use his account because of the security issue. What's a good solution? I tried basically selling hosting with a small profit with another other client but I rejected him because of his terrible behaviour. Like $80 a year is too much. I didn't like that he insisted on me working for free because of my mistake of saying:"I'll help you out as a friend" which was true at some point because I spend a lot of time helping him out and offered him a low price with very little profit.
By the way, I ended up not wanting be friends with him anymore because I really started to get annoyed by some inappropriate behaviour. I'll spare the details because I don't wanna get to personal. I guess I did learn to not use the word friend too quickly as people can abuse or use that against you. I've had a bad feeling about that client and now I know why. Either way I am glad I refused business and friendship with him.
What you guys think? Can I restore a backup of this website in his WA account? Feedback is always welcome. Thank you for reading my blog
Recent Comments
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I think if you actually HAVE the two accounts, logging in and out of them shouldn't be a problem. The only problem is creating them on the same IP. Double check with Kyle/Carson, but I think you'll be fine.
I think you have made a wise decision and I see teacup has shared her experience of doing this to which is very useful for you, and I am glad you rejected the other client, first of many business decisions you make, wishing you every success
I did my first client site for just the cost of the domain name and hosting for the first year. It was experience for me and advertising for her. After that first year I got paid for my time and effort. The next client was charged upfront for my fee plus costs. You have to start somewhere and you learn as you go.
The siterubix is great for getting a site started. That way you and your client can work out the site's direction. After that though, make sure that your client knows the SEO benefit of having his own domain name. After getting the domain name the site can be transferred to your premium account where it can be backed up and placed on your clients hosting or he can pay you for maintaining the site on your account.
It looks like he has a very nice business and would benefit greatly by having reviews done on his place and the service. Ask for satisfied customers who would be willing to give their testimonials.
The photo page is great but you need content to go along with each photo, preferably a post for each one. These are just my thoughts and I hope that they help.
By the way, you were right to refuse service to the other client.
I can see why you rejected the other client.
As for the current client, I assume the client will take over building the website using his free WA hosting?
If so, you can try doing a backup using the UpDraftPlus plugin. I've heard the restore is easy to do with that plugin. Then restore it on his account.
Bear in mind that Siterubix sites cannot be transferred to new hosting.
So if your client decides to buy his own domain, he will have to fork out the first month's premium upgrade $19 at WA, then buy a domain, then transfer it to his new host, unless he keeps hosting with WA, which might be a bit too expensive if that is the only service he is using at WA.
It's difficult to give advice not knowing what your client's plans are with the site. ~Jude
Hi - you could back it up, and allow him to restore it to his account - but if he hasn't paid you, has behaved inappropriately towards you, and you no longer call him a friend - why would you do anything other than delete the site?
Put it down to experience - and accept you've learned from it.
I would suggest you decide how much your time is worth to you. Then any work you do in the future - say it will take you an estimated 10 hours to build a site - take your hourly rate/worth, and multiply it by 10 (add a percentage on top for contingency), and be up front with anyone who is looking for a website.
Remember to charge for domain names (you have to add your "fee" on top of what you actually pay for it), and agree a monthly hosting charge up front.
If they are looking for a website for a business, then they are in business to make money - and having a website will help them do that.
They wouldn't expect ANY other supplier to provide produce or services, without paying them.
All the best, Mark
I'm in agreement with Mark on this one. He didn't pay you and was bad business all around. Dump the site and walk away.
Going forward shop around to get a solid benchmark of what domains and hosting cost, and then add in your personal time. $80 a year is more than reasonable. If he does a little shopping around on his own he'll find that hosting and a domain alone will cost that, before the additional personal support.
If you have those figures already mapped out, include it in your business case for how you price your services.
And it is a service, not a favor. No one should expect to NOT have to pay for a service that supports their business.
That's another client. For this one it's ok. I am going to give him a few hours for free because he is my first client. The other one I am not working for. I want to start out for free because I want to feel a bit more confident first. I think the rest is good of what you are saying
Hi - agreed (edit: I was agreeing with Marcel's comments) - every business that sells on a service or product, adds their profit margin - you can't do anything for free, or at cost - unless you are just doing it for fun. Eg. a social forum for you and your friends... anything for a business, you have to charge.
In reply to your post, what business is he in? Is he a cafe for example? Give him your time, in exchange for free coffee or a free meal every month etc?
Cheers, Mark
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it is never a good thing to mix friendship and business, you did the right thing stepping away, true friends would not impose upon you this way, it is nice to help out but it is another thing for someone to expect everything for free after all you need to make a living to