How To Recoup Loss

[learn4life]

I need your opinion...

So I've started to mainly use CMS to build websites. Most clients are now asking to do the updates themselves, which I don't mind, but this will reduce my income as most of it is based on the updates I charge for. The cost for the updates are fairly reasonable and if they start to update their sites then I won't make any money.

I'm trying to figure out how to get this money back in some way, eg: charge the clients who want to do their updates more when they make a mistake or charge them more to build the site?

I'm stumped and would like your opinion.

Thanks in advance!

[Status_203]

Offer training? If they're going to go it alone they're going to need to know about web content writing, SEO, image optimisation and all the rest aren't they?

[rocknbil]

Don't cling to losses, embrace opportunities. Should these clients actually maintain their own sites, it opens time for you to pursue new ones.

But take it from an old codger - they will have you set up these CMS interfaces and wind up calling you to do the updates. Out of the last 20 CMS customers I have, only 2 actually do the updates themselves. :-)

[learn4life]

Thanks for your feedback - it's helpful.

And you are correct, when one door closes another opens...

[willybfriendly]

I agree with Bill. Customers do not tend to keep up their own sites - CMS or not.

Further, there is ongoing maintenance and security upgrades that are beyond the ability of most end users.

Thus, be sure to propose a maintenance contract with every such site. I regularly offer an "up to X hours" for a flat annual rate. If they go over the limit it becomes hourly.