I'm talking about the bottom of websites in small font that says "Site designed by: link" Do you just put your link their without asking? Do you ask first? Offer a certain amount off the total price maybe? I feel like it's kind of rude without asking, no?
I just ask if I can put it in the footer. I don't reduce my rates or anything, most don't care much what's in the footer and say yes. I would definitely ask first though.
Yes of course you can asked from your client that i want to put my own or my company website link in your website footer. It is very good thinking because when people see this website they must want to see the software house that make this website must be see. I always put our company website link in the footer.
Always ask. Unless it's specifically stated in your contract, they could get VERY upset at you putting links on their site without approval. It's also polite. 99.9% of clients will say "yes" anyway. And the other 0.1% will probably have a really good reason not to, and would also probably provide a testimonial for your site instead.
For me it depends. If I'm designing/developing a site for a local business, I usually ask or add it into the mock-ups I design and get approval on. I like to deal with mostly local clients and I'm at the point in my career where I can pick and choose who I work with rather than seeking all comers. If I'm doing a site for a national brand/company I never put a link back to me on it.