Monday, 6 June 2011
Or...what happens when the client doesn't pay?
Firstly all web designers have a payment policy in their terms and conditions, these may vary according to the type of site.
If you don't pay the designer what can they do?
Firstly, most designers will not hand over any passwords to the site content management system until full and final payment is received. They also have access to the server on which the site is hosted. Often server passwords are changed away from the default password issued by the hosting company to allow ease of access for the designer - ie, not having to type in 16 random numbers and letters each time they get logged out! The designer retains access to these until such time as the work is complete or, if they are managing the site, until the client terminates the arrangement.
If you have not paid for any of the design work it remains the property of the designer and they can remove it from the site if their bill is not paid. This is the worse case scenario and usually only ever happens if the client has not responded to requests for payment over a long period of time.
If you have paid for the site but not additional content management carried out later the site cannot legally be removed but the designer can take you to the small claims court for the money! If the designer removes the site on this basis not only are they acting maliciously, they are on very dodgy legal ground since they are actively sabotaging another person's business and it is looked upon very seriously.
If you are having problems or feel it may become an issue always let the web designer know. Large companies may not be interested in your problems and terminate the arrangement, however most smaller designers like myself are more than happy to negotiate payment by instalment especially when clients have a new or small business.
From the designers point of view it is good business to gain a great public image and we also put a lot of work into our sites and obviously it is in our interests as well as the client's to keep the site online and publicly visible.
Firstly all web designers have a payment policy in their terms and conditions, these may vary according to the type of site.
If you don't pay the designer what can they do?
Firstly, most designers will not hand over any passwords to the site content management system until full and final payment is received. They also have access to the server on which the site is hosted. Often server passwords are changed away from the default password issued by the hosting company to allow ease of access for the designer - ie, not having to type in 16 random numbers and letters each time they get logged out! The designer retains access to these until such time as the work is complete or, if they are managing the site, until the client terminates the arrangement.
If you have not paid for any of the design work it remains the property of the designer and they can remove it from the site if their bill is not paid. This is the worse case scenario and usually only ever happens if the client has not responded to requests for payment over a long period of time.
If you have paid for the site but not additional content management carried out later the site cannot legally be removed but the designer can take you to the small claims court for the money! If the designer removes the site on this basis not only are they acting maliciously, they are on very dodgy legal ground since they are actively sabotaging another person's business and it is looked upon very seriously.
If you are having problems or feel it may become an issue always let the web designer know. Large companies may not be interested in your problems and terminate the arrangement, however most smaller designers like myself are more than happy to negotiate payment by instalment especially when clients have a new or small business.
From the designers point of view it is good business to gain a great public image and we also put a lot of work into our sites and obviously it is in our interests as well as the client's to keep the site online and publicly visible.
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About Me
- Mara Cortesi
- Live and work in Somerset. Just about to embark on a back to nursing practice course.
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