Forum Moderators: phranque
We both agreed that it is almost impossible to get a reliable meaningful sort of web certification
But will it be possible to rely at least on a form of self-obeyed honor board mingled with a zest of Better Bureau Business (BBB for those in the US)
Regards
Henry
Most companies wouldn't touch anything without a contract of some sort, but for some reason, they feel putting down a large amount of money on web design not to be within those boundries.
In the past month, I too have had 2 people approach me with "A friend of mine who owns a compay hired a web designer and things didn't go so well" No contracts, not even an agreement on what would be performed. Both companies got burned badly by incompetent designers.
A BBB for the web won't do it. Too many freelancers out there and the craft is too new to rely on educational level to guide you. Companies need to realize that website are no different than any other form of advertising. You need to have in writing what you expected and when it is not delivered, you have legal recourse. And just because someone says they can build a site, doesn't mean they can build a good site.
paid a hefty down payment...
You mean that clients will pay a hefty downpayment to a contractor with whom they do not have experience.
My consulting doesn't have anything to do with web work (its in a field of engineering, you can probably guess what field). On every project so far I provide a quote (sometime a flat price for the work, more often an hourly rate or some combination), they provide a purchase order and sometimes an additional contract with terms and conditions (the quote, P.O., and acceptance of P.O. together form a contract). After I do some work I invoice and get paid. If I don't trust the client's financial situation I may expect my first invoice to be after a small amount of work (perhaps initial planning meetings) so I can get some money close to up front. In some cases I ask for the travel (first trip) to be paid by them.
They aren't risking there money on me, I am taking only a small risk on them.
I don't think I have seen a business pay up front to a supplier or contractor unless it is one that they have considerable experience with.
what will you say to a potential client...
regards
Henry
To bad that one cannot any longer rely on good business manners.
I don't think one ever could. That's why contracts exist. ;)
