Open Source Content Management

Hi Everyone,

I have a problem with managing my website projects at the moment. I get clients paying 50% deposit to get their website designed and developed, but it gets to a stage where I can't move forward with the website unless I get the content from the clients. And they don't seem to be bothered with their websites not being finished. This can drag on for months.

In the past I tried to convince my clients that I require all the content of the website before I even start with designing and development, but this didn't work either. This caused the websites never to take off.

How do I encourage clients to take action?

Is there a smart way to control this aspect of my business?

Thanks!

Kind regards,

What about putting a time frame on what you require from clients and charging and additional fee if the content / images are not received in this time frame? say 1 month?

Or, offer a standard discount if they agree to pay 50% deposit and supply content in 1 month. The discount is then forfeited if they don't fulfill their requirements in time..?

Would be great to get some input from the other web developers on the forum. I think this is a common issue for people in the industry...Perhaps someone has a standard contract or t's and c's that could be added to the resources section?

Thanks for the advice! Yes, it would be great if someone has standard terms and conditions to prevent this sort of situation.

Hi Lohan,

I did respond to your question, not sure why its not showing up here, did you get it maybe?

Garth Van Zyl wrote:
I haven't seen anything and am not aware of any problems with the forum. Please try again.

Hey Dylan,

would it make a difference if i did a quick reply or used the reply button,

I work for a web design company called PoSil Consulting www.posil.co.za We have it built into our terms that 50% deposit is due on acceptance of quotation and the remaining on completion. However should PoSil be at a stand still with the project due to waiting for content or approval from the client for longer than 7 days the full outstanding amount will become due and the work completed once the client supplies the remaining content or approval.

This works well as clients then start getting stuff together seeing as they have to pay.

Garth Van Zyl wrote:
No, it shouldn't. I use both.

Silas wrote:
That sounds like quite a good idea.
So are you saying that from the time a client accepts the quote (pays 50%), they then have 7 days to get their content to you? Don't the majority of clients need more time than that? It takes a while to get good photos together, write quality content etc.