Hi there If a Client ask me for a website quote, do I give them the quote before or after the project scope/proposal? So I'm suggesting it would be after I find out what the outline/goals of his site is right? Lets say I got the Client to fill in my form and gathered some info for his new site. Then I meet up with the Client for the first time and knuckled down everything (Blue Print). So now I am ready to do up a proposal after doing some research and estimating a cost. Is this a more appropriate steps or is there a more easier way of doing it? Lastly, I had this Client and he wanted an example of what his idea would look like and this was after already meeting up with him and before doing up the proposal etc. So I did the example for him and notice he has not returned any of my calls and emails. So I wasted all this time for nothing. How would you resolve this if a Client ask for an example before doing up the proposal and not knowing if the Client will use your service? I am open to hear your opinions. If possible to even find out the most effective steps before meeting up with the Client, proposals, site building and payments? Many thanks in advance CHEERS
Dont offer examples that he can duplicate. Dont spend your time doing lengthy examples IMO. Also, you should be able to give a ballpark quote for the client up front, a range so to speak and explain that specific details may dictate what end of the range they will be on. Once you get the specifics than give them the actual quote.
Nice! Thanks for replying. I knew I was the sucker here .. What is a ballpark quote and how do I do one?
Yes, the most effective way to produce examples is with mock ups. Designers usually do this with photoshop. For example, if a client asks for a logo to be designed they will produce 4 that are watermarked and let the client choose. As a programmer, I find the best way to let a client decide what he /she wants is to story board things with PAPER. Don't waste your time programming or coding things before they know what they want. This makes things hard to change which is bad for the client. Let them have creative input and guide the process in a direction they want.
in my case.. Client 1: I figured out lately that he isa 12th class student and was curious to know who all stuff works. As a good service provider I interacted with him over a week but it was no surprise to me that he said "sorry" If somebody is interested he will definetly say yes after second hearing.( Since he was a kid I just spend some time helping him ) Client 2: He asked for a demo , and I presented him the other day, He talked professionally. And this time I was not mistaken and he even shooted the price. But the next day .. for entire month he went offline. and all my hard work was gone. Client 3: He was from foreigner from country. And wanted to built a site about the country. Great quite motivating thought. I presented with the demo, he was happy, I asked for token money he said do little modification , I did and I again asked " i'll do the further work once I reciece a small amount" He said OK,, then NO reply. After a while he said he'll work after his holidays are over...... and I knew I am screwed. So, it all depends on luck man! you cannot predict what kind of customers you get. Sometime clients pay you entire money at the begining and some pay you in parts and some.. just have fun with our hardwork such a shame. But I was kind enough not to give them itrader. I am such an asshole. But this is what I am, what will I get my giving them a negative, they haven't committed crime, its that they don't have enough money to make their dreams come true. but what a waste of time.