LooseSuits

For any client that I thought would be a problem when it came time to pay up, here's what I would do:

Get 50% up front, then develop the site and put it up on a "test" space on your server, somewhere where the client can see it and test the functionality. After the client pays the rest of the fee, upload the site to the client's webspace. Done.

If it was a situation where it was an ongoing contract payment (like a maintenance contract), I'd tell the client up front that payment is expected monthly by a certain date, and if it doesn't show up, take the website down. At that point, money should show up fairly quickly when you put up a page that says the website is unavailable in place of their regular homepage and remove everything else from the server.

Why do you have a problem asking for money for honest work, anyway?

I get 25% up front for most clients. Unless I've built up a relationship where I know the client will pay it's pay remainder and get released from my test server. Of course, there are some cases when this is different but it's my usual rule.

I normally do 50% up front. It's worked out really well, and I've yet to have a client have a problem with that. Then I normally get the other 50% at the end before putting the site live.

When I was freelancing I normally got 50% up front, always, and the other 50% once the site is ready to go live. That's the best policy, imho.

Well, my working system is 50% up front, the other half later on.

dreamweaver: its fairly hard working with people in my country. Sometimes they would ask for features that wasnt on the proposal. Being a good web developer, I submit to their request. Rather dumb I thought later on.

I had experienced in the UK when I was taking on web design as part time. Payment was quick. Sometimes they want to settle it before I complete the job.

So what you do you with non paying clients?

I do 50% up front, 50% at completion.

You may be lax about money but cash flow is vital to the survival of your business. You need to stay on top of it or just don't bother being in business. It's a web design BUSINESS not a web design HOBBY. :-)

ometimes they would ask for features that wasnt on the proposal. Being a good web developer, I submit to their request.

this is not being a good web developer, its being a pushover. If they ask for something that wasnt in the original agreement you either deny or tell them it will cost extra.

I've fallen a few times for clients who promise the world and give nothing. I've had to chase down money and it is not fun. Taking legal action is useless as you end up spending more then you obtain so I've learnt lessons the hard way and have taken these steps to avoid any headaches.

My Advice:

1. Get a lawyer

Have him help you draft up a contact to note your concerns

For instance,
A. Scope of services
B. Proprietary rights
C. Termination
D. Confidentiality
E. Timeline
F. Payment Terms

Have the client sign and fax contracts too you.

Outline specifics like :
"work starts when 50% of estimate is received along with this contract signed"
"anything outside of the scope will be billed at my hourly rate"
"if I request approval from you and no response is received within this certain time period, I will act as if you approved in order to keep the project scheduled accordingly"
"Payments due within 30 days, late payment results in 8% interest rate... "

If you are kind, courteous and informative, you should have no problem receiving a signed contract and payment. If a client is reluctant to pay up front or sign a contract, chances are you will have problems with them and kindly inform them that these terms are in both your interest and theirs and in order to provide prompt quality service this is your policy that keeps the wheels rolling.

Always get approval. If a client asks you to do something outside of the scope, remind him of the contract and your hourly rate and have him respond via email and get his signed or emailed approval for extra work.

Lawyers cost money, yes but their advice is gold and they can also help you avoid lawsuits and keep you ahead of the game. There are allot of nice clients out there, but you will occasionally come across a not so nice one and doing a little can help you avoid problems.