Dealing with one more non-content-provider
We all know about clients who just can't seem to produce the content for the web site you're building them. I've had quite a few in my time. In this situation I'm about to describe, I felt I had to take a firmer hand than I have in the past, and it seems to be working out well despite, or because of, my "businesslike" approach.
The story began last year, when I signed a contract to produce a web site for a very nice client; I'll call her Diane. The project proceeded along pretty well until we hit the point that every client dreads: providing content. Diane struggled. Weeks went by, and turned into months, and the months piled up.
My contract states that if a client delays for more than 60 days in responding to requests for feedback or content, the project will be cancelled. Of course, I'm in no hurry to cancel most projects, so I keep that contract clause there to give me that right, but I generally will wait a long time.
When almost a year had passed, I decided to take action. I contacted Diane. She was apologetic, saying that she very much wanted to finish the site, and promising to get all of the content to me right away. I dug out the site files and went through them, familiarizing myself again with the structure of the pages and the site. Unfortunately, there were a few aspects of the site that are slightly "dated" now, after a year, but I didn't feel it was my responsibility to update them at my own cost. But it made me realize that I really cannot allow a client to just let months and years pass without finishing a web site that I've contracted to produce.
When four weeks passed with no contact from Diane, I did some thinking. I had every right to cancel the project, but I kind of wanted that last 1/3 payment (due when the project was complete), and I knew she wanted the web site. So I emailed her and offered two choices: (1) We cancel now, or (2) she pays me now, and we have 30 days to finish. If (due to her) we're not finished in 30 days, we cancel it permanently.
She readily accepted option #2. A check should be on its way to me, and some content has already been sent.
I'm not sure whether or not Diane will be able to come through and finish the site, but even if she doesn't, I feel that I was more than fair and reasonable.
The story began last year, when I signed a contract to produce a web site for a very nice client; I'll call her Diane. The project proceeded along pretty well until we hit the point that every client dreads: providing content. Diane struggled. Weeks went by, and turned into months, and the months piled up.
My contract states that if a client delays for more than 60 days in responding to requests for feedback or content, the project will be cancelled. Of course, I'm in no hurry to cancel most projects, so I keep that contract clause there to give me that right, but I generally will wait a long time.
When almost a year had passed, I decided to take action. I contacted Diane. She was apologetic, saying that she very much wanted to finish the site, and promising to get all of the content to me right away. I dug out the site files and went through them, familiarizing myself again with the structure of the pages and the site. Unfortunately, there were a few aspects of the site that are slightly "dated" now, after a year, but I didn't feel it was my responsibility to update them at my own cost. But it made me realize that I really cannot allow a client to just let months and years pass without finishing a web site that I've contracted to produce.
When four weeks passed with no contact from Diane, I did some thinking. I had every right to cancel the project, but I kind of wanted that last 1/3 payment (due when the project was complete), and I knew she wanted the web site. So I emailed her and offered two choices: (1) We cancel now, or (2) she pays me now, and we have 30 days to finish. If (due to her) we're not finished in 30 days, we cancel it permanently.
She readily accepted option #2. A check should be on its way to me, and some content has already been sent.
I'm not sure whether or not Diane will be able to come through and finish the site, but even if she doesn't, I feel that I was more than fair and reasonable.
posted by Patty Ayers at
10:47 AM
2 Comments:
And what is the conclusion of the story now?
We finished the site, she's happy with it, and I got paid! :-) Thanks for asking.
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