During a legal business workshop, the lawyer mentioned that 50% deposits can be harder to hold up in court. They recommended splitting it up into two parts. I have also found that it is a little bit less intimidating for clients, especially if it is a bigger project. For really big projects, I will sometimes split the final payment into two parts as well so that they make a payment partway through.
Great workflow tutorial! I still dont quite understand the process of handing off a website to a client - are you opening a new account on Squarespace that will be given to the client for them to change the password or is their a process within Squarespace to transfer the final draft site to an account that the Client makes on their own?
No, I create the website on my own account. When I am ready to transfer, I add them as an administrator to the site. Once they have accepted the invitation you can choose to transfer ownership. Then eventually, I remove myself as an administrator.
It would depend on why it slipped to a third week. Generally, I don't let it go past time because then it would cut into the next client. Each part of the process has a set timeline. That timeline is either set by work being completed on my part or by a set number of days. For example, the only parts of the timeline that depend on the client is getting content to me to start the design and requesting edits. I make sure to be on top of them beforehand so that the content is given to me on time. If I have most or all of it, I will start the website and use filler content where I am missing pieces. If I don't have hardly any (even after multiple reminders), then I would look into cancelling the project. This is a huge red flag and this client would probably be hard to work with. During the editing phase, I tell them that I will complete as many edits as we can fit into a set number of days. After those days are up, then the project continues on with finishing touches. If there is time at the end, I will do a few more small edits during the launch phase. This cannot go over time because it is set by a number of days versus a number of edits. So in general, I do not extend projects past the set time because my process is set up to guarantee completion on time. An exception would be if I made a promise and then was having a hard time following through and needed some more time to make it happen. If this was the case, I would either work with the client to find a solution or extend the project free of charge. The other exception would be if they added onto the project after the start date. If that was the case, I would complete the original project and then they would select a new design date and sign a new contract for the extension.
Great video, Rebecca- thank you
This is great! Thank you.
You're very welcome!
I think it's really cool that you divided up the 50% deposit into 20/30%. Was there an experience(s) that pushed you to add that to your timeline?
During a legal business workshop, the lawyer mentioned that 50% deposits can be harder to hold up in court. They recommended splitting it up into two parts. I have also found that it is a little bit less intimidating for clients, especially if it is a bigger project. For really big projects, I will sometimes split the final payment into two parts as well so that they make a payment partway through.
Great workflow tutorial! I still dont quite understand the process of handing off a website to a client - are you opening a new account on Squarespace that will be given to the client for them to change the password or is their a process within Squarespace to transfer the final draft site to an account that the Client makes on their own?
No, I create the website on my own account. When I am ready to transfer, I add them as an administrator to the site. Once they have accepted the invitation you can choose to transfer ownership. Then eventually, I remove myself as an administrator.
Do you charge an additional fee if the project slips to that third week?
It would depend on why it slipped to a third week. Generally, I don't let it go past time because then it would cut into the next client.
Each part of the process has a set timeline. That timeline is either set by work being completed on my part or by a set number of days. For example, the only parts of the timeline that depend on the client is getting content to me to start the design and requesting edits. I make sure to be on top of them beforehand so that the content is given to me on time. If I have most or all of it, I will start the website and use filler content where I am missing pieces. If I don't have hardly any (even after multiple reminders), then I would look into cancelling the project. This is a huge red flag and this client would probably be hard to work with.
During the editing phase, I tell them that I will complete as many edits as we can fit into a set number of days. After those days are up, then the project continues on with finishing touches. If there is time at the end, I will do a few more small edits during the launch phase. This cannot go over time because it is set by a number of days versus a number of edits.
So in general, I do not extend projects past the set time because my process is set up to guarantee completion on time. An exception would be if I made a promise and then was having a hard time following through and needed some more time to make it happen. If this was the case, I would either work with the client to find a solution or extend the project free of charge. The other exception would be if they added onto the project after the start date. If that was the case, I would complete the original project and then they would select a new design date and sign a new contract for the extension.
Keep up the good work :)
Thank you!