Site check, please

[Shirley]

I built a web site for a friend and asked her for $250 US. and she has so
far mailed me a cheque for $100. She seems to feel that because she has made
so many suggestions, that she has 'helped' to build the site.
As you will see, there are many pages to the site, and so far she has
requested, and obtained, many re-designs of the site. I got a .com address
for her and a hosting service.
There will be numerous new articles added which will require 3 new pages
each.
Before I talk with her, I wonder if someone could look at the site and let
me know what I should be charging, keeping in mind that I am not a
professional (would sure like to be, some day).
I love doing the work, but don't want to feel that I'm being taken advantage
of.
I'm very confused and don't know what I should charge for the build and then
for the updates.

Please help me to make sense of it all.

http://mirielthreadsandjules.com

 

[Tom Pepper Willett]

The bottom line is, do you have a signed agreement or contract with her
specifying the details and money?

--
===
Tom "Pepper" Willett
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage
---
About FrontPage 2003:
http://office.microsoft.com/home/office.aspx?assetid=FX01085802
FrontPage 2003 Product Information:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/frontpage/prodinfo/default.mspx
Understanding FrontPage:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/office/understanding/frontpage/
===
| I built a web site for a friend and asked her for $250 US. and she has so
| far mailed me a cheque for $100. She seems to feel that because she has
made
| so many suggestions, that she has 'helped' to build the site.
| As you will see, there are many pages to the site, and so far she has
| requested, and obtained, many re-designs of the site. I got a .com address
| for her and a hosting service.
| There will be numerous new articles added which will require 3 new pages
| each.
| Before I talk with her, I wonder if someone could look at the site and let
| me know what I should be charging, keeping in mind that I am not a
| professional (would sure like to be, some day).
| I love doing the work, but don't want to feel that I'm being taken
advantage
| of.
| I'm very confused and don't know what I should charge for the build and
then
| for the updates.
|
| Please help me to make sense of it all.
|
| http://mirielthreadsandjules.com
|
|

 

[Shirley]

No, because we both belong to an online windows group, we are friends,
myself in Canada & her in the US. So, basically it's been done by emails and
phone calls, with nothing set in writing.

 

[=?iso-8859-1?Q?Crash_Gordon=AE?=]

hmmmm.

When dealing with friends or relatives, either charge nothing...or put it in writing what you expect to be paid...or at least document it in emails.

By NO MEANS should a client's "suggestions" be considered part of your development fees... in my opinion it's the client's obligation to tell me what they want and make suggestions. How else would you know what to do? That's plain not fair for her to expect her suggestions to be subtracted from your fees - unless she was actually building the html along with you.

As far as what you are charging...hard to say, but you are probably giving her a smokin' deal for 250 bucks so far. JMO.

If she has so many valuable suggestions, just give her the password and let her finish it herself, then she'd appreciate what goes into building even a basic site. If you want to keep her as a friend maybe you should do that (diplomatically of course).

goood luck




| I built a web site for a friend and asked her for $250 US. and she has so
| far mailed me a cheque for $100. She seems to feel that because she has made
| so many suggestions, that she has 'helped' to build the site.
| As you will see, there are many pages to the site, and so far she has
| requested, and obtained, many re-designs of the site. I got a .com address
| for her and a hosting service.
| There will be numerous new articles added which will require 3 new pages
| each.
| Before I talk with her, I wonder if someone could look at the site and let
| me know what I should be charging, keeping in mind that I am not a
| professional (would sure like to be, some day).
| I love doing the work, but don't want to feel that I'm being taken advantage
| of.
| I'm very confused and don't know what I should charge for the build and then
| for the updates.
|
| Please help me to make sense of it all.
|
| http://mirielthreadsandjules.com
|
|

 

[=?iso-8859-1?Q?Crash_Gordon=AE?=]

if it outlines some kind of agreement and she has paid you part of the money...it's good enough.




| No, because we both belong to an online windows group, we are friends,
| myself in Canada & her in the US. So, basically it's been done by emails and
| phone calls, with nothing set in writing.
|
| | > The bottom line is, do you have a signed agreement or contract with her
| > specifying the details and money?
| >
| > --
| > ===
| > Tom "Pepper" Willett
| > Microsoft MVP - FrontPage
| > ---
| > About FrontPage 2003:
| > http://office.microsoft.com/home/office.aspx?assetid=FX01085802
| > FrontPage 2003 Product Information:
| > http://www.microsoft.com/office/frontpage/prodinfo/default.mspx
| > Understanding FrontPage:
| > http://msdn.microsoft.com/office/understanding/frontpage/
| > ===
| > | > | I built a web site for a friend and asked her for $250 US. and she has
| so
| > | far mailed me a cheque for $100. She seems to feel that because she has
| > made
| > | so many suggestions, that she has 'helped' to build the site.
| > | As you will see, there are many pages to the site, and so far she has
| > | requested, and obtained, many re-designs of the site. I got a .com
| address
| > | for her and a hosting service.
| > | There will be numerous new articles added which will require 3 new pages
| > | each.
| > | Before I talk with her, I wonder if someone could look at the site and
| let
| > | me know what I should be charging, keeping in mind that I am not a
| > | professional (would sure like to be, some day).
| > | I love doing the work, but don't want to feel that I'm being taken
| > advantage
| > | of.
| > | I'm very confused and don't know what I should charge for the build and
| > then
| > | for the updates.
| > |
| > | Please help me to make sense of it all.
| > |
| > | http://mirielthreadsandjules.com
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|

 

[Clark]

Hi Shirley

I built a web site for a friend and asked her for $250 US. and she has so
far mailed me a cheque for $100. She seems to feel that because she has made
so many suggestions, that she has 'helped' to build the site.

It is normal, in fact really a requirement, that the client provide
input and suggestions as you develop the website. That is the only way
you have to ensure that you are making something your client wants. As a
designer, when you get around to formalizing your processes somewhat,
you would always want to have someone identified who represents the
client that you can work with to refine the site requirements and
provide feedback. In this case, your friend/client is serving the role
herself. She shouldnt be thinking she gets a discount or credit for
"helping"

My suggestion is that you take a look at some other web design companies
and see what they charge and what their work looks like. And then
compare what some of their sites look like to how yours looks from a
critical professional point of view. You will most likely find
experienced web design companies that would make short work of your
clients website and whose websites look to you like what you would like
yours to be someday. Given that you arent there yet, you would have to
charge less accordingly.

Good luck in your efforts.

 

[Shirley]

Thanks...your thoughts are much like what I've been thinking.
The only problem would be that I have more than one .com on the hosting
site, but I think I should be able to give each a separate password....at
least, I hope so.
That really would give her a challenge!
Thanks, again....have a great night
hmmmm.

When dealing with friends or relatives, either charge nothing...or put it in
writing what you expect to be paid...or at least document it in emails.

By NO MEANS should a client's "suggestions" be considered part of your
development fees... in my opinion it's the client's obligation to tell me
what they want and make suggestions. How else would you know what to do?
That's plain not fair for her to expect her suggestions to be subtracted
from your fees - unless she was actually building the html along with you.

As far as what you are charging...hard to say, but you are probably giving
her a smokin' deal for 250 bucks so far. JMO.

If she has so many valuable suggestions, just give her the password and let
her finish it herself, then she'd appreciate what goes into building even a
basic site. If you want to keep her as a friend maybe you should do that
(diplomatically of course).

goood luck




| I built a web site for a friend and asked her for $250 US. and she has so
| far mailed me a cheque for $100. She seems to feel that because she has
made
| so many suggestions, that she has 'helped' to build the site.
| As you will see, there are many pages to the site, and so far she has
| requested, and obtained, many re-designs of the site. I got a .com address
| for her and a hosting service.
| There will be numerous new articles added which will require 3 new pages
| each.
| Before I talk with her, I wonder if someone could look at the site and let
| me know what I should be charging, keeping in mind that I am not a
| professional (would sure like to be, some day).
| I love doing the work, but don't want to feel that I'm being taken
advantage
| of.
| I'm very confused and don't know what I should charge for the build and
then
| for the updates.
|
| Please help me to make sense of it all.
|
| http://mirielthreadsandjules.com
|
|

 

[Shirley]

Thanks, Clark,
You are giving me more to understand, and I hope when dealing with her
tomorrow that we can get this matter straightened up.
Live & learn, I guess....won't make that mistake again. Next time everything
will be on paper!

 

[=?iso-8859-1?Q?Crash_Gordon=AE?=]

Just change the login/pw for her site.


| Thanks...your thoughts are much like what I've been thinking.
| The only problem would be that I have more than one .com on the hosting
| site, but I think I should be able to give each a separate password....at
| least, I hope so.
| That really would give her a challenge!
| Thanks, again....have a great night
| | hmmmm.
|
| When dealing with friends or relatives, either charge nothing...or put it in
| writing what you expect to be paid...or at least document it in emails.
|
| By NO MEANS should a client's "suggestions" be considered part of your
| development fees... in my opinion it's the client's obligation to tell me
| what they want and make suggestions. How else would you know what to do?
| That's plain not fair for her to expect her suggestions to be subtracted
| from your fees - unless she was actually building the html along with you.
|
| As far as what you are charging...hard to say, but you are probably giving
| her a smokin' deal for 250 bucks so far. JMO.
|
| If she has so many valuable suggestions, just give her the password and let
| her finish it herself, then she'd appreciate what goes into building even a
| basic site. If you want to keep her as a friend maybe you should do that
| (diplomatically of course).
|
| goood luck
|
|
|
|
| | | I built a web site for a friend and asked her for $250 US. and she has so
| | far mailed me a cheque for $100. She seems to feel that because she has
| made
| | so many suggestions, that she has 'helped' to build the site.
| | As you will see, there are many pages to the site, and so far she has
| | requested, and obtained, many re-designs of the site. I got a .com address
| | for her and a hosting service.
| | There will be numerous new articles added which will require 3 new pages
| | each.
| | Before I talk with her, I wonder if someone could look at the site and let
| | me know what I should be charging, keeping in mind that I am not a
| | professional (would sure like to be, some day).
| | I love doing the work, but don't want to feel that I'm being taken
| advantage
| | of.
| | I'm very confused and don't know what I should charge for the build and
| then
| | for the updates.
| |
| | Please help me to make sense of it all.
| |
| | http://mirielthreadsandjules.com
| |
| |
|
|

 

[Shirley]

Thanks again. I appreciate your help
Just change the login/pw for her site.


| Thanks...your thoughts are much like what I've been thinking.
| The only problem would be that I have more than one .com on the hosting
| site, but I think I should be able to give each a separate password....at
| least, I hope so.
| That really would give her a challenge!
| Thanks, again....have a great night
| | hmmmm.
|
| When dealing with friends or relatives, either charge nothing...or put it
in
| writing what you expect to be paid...or at least document it in emails.
|
| By NO MEANS should a client's "suggestions" be considered part of your
| development fees... in my opinion it's the client's obligation to tell me
| what they want and make suggestions. How else would you know what to do?
| That's plain not fair for her to expect her suggestions to be subtracted
| from your fees - unless she was actually building the html along with you.
|
| As far as what you are charging...hard to say, but you are probably giving
| her a smokin' deal for 250 bucks so far. JMO.
|
| If she has so many valuable suggestions, just give her the password and
let
| her finish it herself, then she'd appreciate what goes into building even
a
| basic site. If you want to keep her as a friend maybe you should do that
| (diplomatically of course).
|
| goood luck
|
|
|
|
| | | I built a web site for a friend and asked her for $250 US. and she has
so
| | far mailed me a cheque for $100. She seems to feel that because she has
| made
| | so many suggestions, that she has 'helped' to build the site.
| | As you will see, there are many pages to the site, and so far she has
| | requested, and obtained, many re-designs of the site. I got a .com
address
| | for her and a hosting service.
| | There will be numerous new articles added which will require 3 new pages
| | each.
| | Before I talk with her, I wonder if someone could look at the site and
let
| | me know what I should be charging, keeping in mind that I am not a
| | professional (would sure like to be, some day).
| | I love doing the work, but don't want to feel that I'm being taken
| advantage
| | of.
| | I'm very confused and don't know what I should charge for the build and
| then
| | for the updates.
| |
| | Please help me to make sense of it all.
| |
| | http://mirielthreadsandjules.com
| |
| |
|
|

 

[Tom Pepper Willett]

If you have the emails, and they outline the basics of what you have been
doing, and it contains enough information to back you up, print them out
(headers and all). They would be acceptable documentation.
--
===
Tom "Pepper" Willett
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage
---
About FrontPage 2003:
http://office.microsoft.com/home/office.aspx?assetid=FX01085802
FrontPage 2003 Product Information:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/frontpage/prodinfo/default.mspx
Understanding FrontPage:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/office/understanding/frontpage/
FrontPage 2002 Server Extensions Support Center:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;fp10se
===
| No, because we both belong to an online windows group, we are friends,
| myself in Canada & her in the US. So, basically it's been done by emails
and
| phone calls, with nothing set in writing.
|
| | > The bottom line is, do you have a signed agreement or contract with her
| > specifying the details and money?
| >
| > --
| > ===
| > Tom "Pepper" Willett
| > Microsoft MVP - FrontPage
| > ---
| > About FrontPage 2003:
| > http://office.microsoft.com/home/office.aspx?assetid=FX01085802
| > FrontPage 2003 Product Information:
| > http://www.microsoft.com/office/frontpage/prodinfo/default.mspx
| > Understanding FrontPage:
| > http://msdn.microsoft.com/office/understanding/frontpage/
| > ===
| > | > | I built a web site for a friend and asked her for $250 US. and she has
| so
| > | far mailed me a cheque for $100. She seems to feel that because she
has
| > made
| > | so many suggestions, that she has 'helped' to build the site.
| > | As you will see, there are many pages to the site, and so far she has
| > | requested, and obtained, many re-designs of the site. I got a .com
| address
| > | for her and a hosting service.
| > | There will be numerous new articles added which will require 3 new
pages
| > | each.
| > | Before I talk with her, I wonder if someone could look at the site and
| let
| > | me know what I should be charging, keeping in mind that I am not a
| > | professional (would sure like to be, some day).
| > | I love doing the work, but don't want to feel that I'm being taken
| > advantage
| > | of.
| > | I'm very confused and don't know what I should charge for the build
and
| > then
| > | for the updates.
| > |
| > | Please help me to make sense of it all.
| > |
| > | http://mirielthreadsandjules.com
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|

 

[Shirley]

Thanks, Tom
I received an email this morning and everything is documented now, and I
think it will all work out okay.
Thanks, again, for your help with this problem