Twig

"I?m on a really tight budget and I need this done as inexpensively as possible."

One of the most difficult situations to be in is a client that does not appreciate the value of the service you will be providing. Web designers need to make a living too, and if the compensation of the project is too low, a lot of times it?s better to just pass on it because of opportunity losses of taking on low-budget projects.
How to Deal

If you are looking to take on more clients, it doesn?t hurt to respond; but if you have a comfortable amount of work ? consider passing this one up. Even though it takes a bit of consultation time to determine the final price of a project, it can be helpful to respond initially with:

"My minimum hourly rate is $XX/hr. I?d be happy to give you a more detailed quote for the entire project with more consultation if you?re interested."

If they like your work enough, they may respond, and if not, it?s not wise to adjust your rate to gain a client. It?s better to wait for an opportunity and spend more time with your existing clients, than to take a low-cost job.

Some clients that just don?t get it may go further to devaluate our work with comments such as "my son said he could do it for $50! I was looking for someone a bit more professional?but that seems way too expensive, even for someone with more expertise."

In this type of situation, it?s important to maintain your composure and professionalism. You must also explain to the client that difference between a professional and an amateur web designer.



"I could probably figure this out myself, but?"

This type of client is usually a professional that needs to outsource their own work, or an amateur web designer who feels that their level of expertise is on par with professional web designers. This type of work often starts of with the mindset of, "since I can do your job, I shouldn?t need to pay a lot".

In addition, many clients like this seem to know what they?re doing all too well, and can be overbearing or can try to take the creative process away from you.
How to Deal

If I have enough jobs, again, I will generally stir clear from these types of projects because not only will the client expect a low-budget project, but will also want to drive the process or may be too overbearing, making it difficult for you to perform your job. A simple, "I apologize, but I?m really backed up at the moment with clients and don?t think I?ll be able to take on your project," will do.

Now, what if you?re already stuck with an ?I can do this myself? client? A simple reminder that you were hired for your expertise will suffice. Try to outline the benefits of having a web designer use his or her professional skills to craft the design for them. If it?s for a startup/new company, you can say that by giving the reins of the web design process to you, they can focus on other things that they need to get up and running.



"It?s a bit boring?it just needs a bit more ?pizzazz?."

This statement could lead to a dreadful spinning logo, hot-pink marquee text, or a lime green background. Whatever they mean by it, not many clients who say this end up meaning subtle additions to make the design livelier; often it?s exaggerated features or obtrusive visual elements that throw off the harmony of your web design.

Another bad thing about this statement is that we can?t be sure what the client exactly means and how to address it to satisfy their desires.

How to Deal

Be careful of giving in to your client?s desire right away; you have to make sure that the revision you are doing is good for the design overall. This design is yours, and if you can?t be proud to show it off in your portfolio because of a design decision the client is trying to make for you, then that?s not a good thing for anyone involved.

If, based on your better judgment, it is not a good idea to go ahead with their suggestions, give valid justification as to why it isn?t a wise decision. More often then not, they see you as the expert in the relationship, and they?ll pay heed to your experience as long as your reasons are understandable.

But you should always pay attention to what they?re trying to say. Maybe their idea may not be the right choice, but the problem they?re trying to address may be valid. Work with them and help them articulate what it is, really, that they find "boring" and suggest good ways of addressing those problems.



"Oh, and by the way, I?ll need this coded into a blog."

Increased project scope: every web designer?s worst nightmare. If what you agreed to wasn?t setting up a weblog or creating a WordPress theme, it is scope creep. While it may be annoying to be asked to do something that you did not agree to, we must realize that a client with no technical expertise has no idea what it takes to turn a web design into a blog theme, and most probably aren?t aware that programming isn?t a standard web designer?s job. This problem, of course, goes beyond turning a web design into a blog into a number of other added jobs: design, coding, picking the right blogging platform, etc.
How to Deal

It is best to define initially in the proposal exactly what you will do for this project: this avoids potential problems in the future. Outline all the things you?ll do for them, and stick to this outline; resist the urge to agree to items outside of scope without additional fees because it encourages demands outside of what the project entails.

Solid requirements gathering also steers you clear from these situations; by knowing what it is exactly the client expects, the more prepared you are to provide it to them. If they mention a need for a weblog set-up, then you either need to tell them that it is not a service that you provide, or that it will cost extra.

It can also help to lay out the quote, project plan, and timeline so that it is very detailed to what you are going. This way, the client can better see things from your perspective, and clearly see that a "quick blog upgrade" is not a part of this project.

When the client broaches the subject of converting a design into a blog theme, remind them that it wasn?t part of the contract and that there will be additional costs and time requirements.

__________________