The Freelance Web Developer and Client Relations

Freelance web development is an attractive career to many because of the notion of being able to work independently and alone. While this is true for the most part, it is a mistake to think that client relations do not get involved in the mix. The area of client relations is probably even more important for freelancers because they must build trust and convince their customers that they can provide quality products that match if not exceed those of the larger companies. So how does a freelance web developer ensure that client relations are smooth? Let’s consider a few areas.

Involve the client from the first day. The client hired you to develop his or her website. More than likely, the client is not sure what is wanted so you’ll have to be sort of a guide during the planning phase. Also, never assume a certain feature is wanted on a website without consulting the client first.

Should you charge hourly or by the job? Web developers are on both sides of the fence when it comes to this question. By charging hourly, you ensure that you are paid for the time you spent. The risk with hourly jobs is that the client oftentimes wants to track your time spent on project more closely. Tensions can mount as the client wants to keep the on-project time low and the developer needs to spend the appropriate amount of time needed to do the job right. With fixed pricing for a deliverable, you are required to reach the milestone dates but you’ll find the client-developer relationship to be much more relaxed.

Be honest about the project scope. You are the web developer and you know when a goal is being moved to a point harder to reach. It’s known in the profession as scope creep. Clients don’t know your workload and they typically don’t know the technical aspects of what it takes to complete a job. If they add more work then be honest and explain that you will need to charge more. Most clients are willing to pay when they see value for their money. Don’t surprise a client at the end of a project with an additional charge.

Set expectations at the proper levels. For example, don’t tell a client that you can develop a website full of complex features in three days. While it is true that optimism helps to build a client’s confidence in you, being overly optimistic can do extreme harm to your reputation. Even if you are able to deliver a miracle in a few days, the quality is bound to suffer which could also damage your reputation. If the client wants a full suite of advanced features, slide the milestone dates accordingly.

Always inform of the status of the project. You should consistently make this a priority even if you have news the client might not want to hear. Most clients appreciate the honesty. In a perfect world, projects go smoothly from concept to delivery however such is rarely the case with website design. Testing always reveals unexpected issues. It’s really up to you to reassure your client that all is under control. Of course you should always return telephone calls and e-mails as soon as possible when your client queries as to the status of a project.