It seems there a few web designers on here. I am interested in raising an issue with you all, and to get some ideas as to how it can be resolved.

Many of our websites seem be in an 'in progress' state for far longer than is necessary. It isn't down to us dragging our heels - on the contrary, we try to have a very short turn-around with all work requests. The problem lies in being supplied the content for the site.

Here's the scenario. Joe Bloggs comes to see us about setting up a website. We explain everything that's involved - from domain names, hosting, the site design and the promotion - and he chooses to go with us. We draft a contract which he signs and returns. At this point, things seem to come to a standstill. We request the content for the site (the text and pictures) but it often isn't forthcoming. They're waiting for their new brochure, they're waiting for a sunny day to take photographs, or they're waiting for their photographer to put all their images on to CD for them... whatever it is, there always seems to be something. A week or two passes by, and we remind them that we are still waiting. The weeks turn into months, and still it continues, despite reminders. Ultimately, if it continues to persist, this results in me sending a letter along the lines of "You signed a contract for a website on such-and-such-a-date. I can only do this site once provided with the content you would like to appear on it and I have requested this content on this, this, this and this date, but to no avail. I there enclose a invoice for the work and request that this is paid within 28 days regardless of the state of play and whether you have supplied the content on not, as it unreasonable for us to still be waiting so long after entering an agreement." This usually has the effect of getting a response although, perhaps understandably, they're often a little perturbed at being asked to pay for something that they don't yet have (but what else can I do?!).

Is it just us, or do other web designers out there experience the same difficulty? The way I am trying to tackle it is by asking for an upfront payment, of say 20%, of the total job, with the remaining 80% payable within 28 days of completion. (Previously, the full sum was payable within 28 days of completion.) I think this helps differentiate the 'do-ers' from the 'talk-ers' but I haven't tried it for long enough to really tell just yet, and I am not so sure that it will eliminate the problem altogether. Perhaps I should have a clause in their somewhere that says something like 'if materials for the website are not forthcoming within 28 days, then an invoice will be issued regardless, and must be paid within 28 days' irrespective of the state of play. I don't know... so ideas and experiences are welcome!

Aaron

I ran into simular issues and it gets frustrating. It also happens when you're with a company and you're waiting for the other department to send the photos.

I also hate when a client insists of looking over the shoulder while you're putting the page together. I "fired" one due to that. She wanted it to look like her Yellow Pages ad, such as coloured boxes and slanted text. Who ever took over simply scanned the ad and put it up...all 234k of it!

I've got a couple customers like that. One site has been under construction since May. I've asked for his online store's username/password just so I can mimic his site's layout. Time and time again, I've asked.

The easiest solution to all of this is to make it a CMS system website, give the end user all the tools they'll need to manage their site, bill them, shoot them their username/password and do updates as requested. The burden then falls back on them.

At that point, they can't complain unless you're moving too slowly with change requests. Might not be the best solution, but it's worked successfully for me.

I have problems freezing the design on my own site lol

Originally posted by altyfc
The way I am trying to tackle it is by asking for an upfront payment, of say 20%, of the total job, with the remaining 80% payable within 28 days of completion. (Previously, the full sum was payable within 28 days of completion.) I think you could go somehat farther than that. Most established firms I know of require 50% upfront; or some do 1/3 at start, the second third upon delivery of preliminary work, and the rest upon completion.

Producing the entire site before requesting payment is pretty rare, and even at 20/80 you're working for free in the hope of being paid later. I think you'd find few clients will balk at a request for a 50% down payment.

Many valid points here. I have sites that I can't get finnished because the client needs to supply me with more info.
However I am more and more, using mambo (www.mamboserver.com or www.mamboportal.com). Even if the client doesn't do the development, at least some sort of site is up in a few mins. For example www.bluebaygourmet.com.au took 1 hr to do that so far. Now the ball in in their cournt to give me more info.

I lost a customer because I asked for photos so I could incorporate into the site, and He said it was taking to long to get the photos, so I changed to another designer... How is this my fault? I'm not going to go rip some photos off especially because the only photos I'd find for it were from businesses.