>Linda Wishman wrote:
>> I'm in somewhat of a quandary. Typically when I do a site, I add a little
>> line at the bottom of the pages, at least the major pages,
>> stating that the
>> site was designed and maintained by TLW Enterprises. I use a -2
>> font. I have
>> the copyright listed as the business and myself. No one has ever
>> complained.
>>
>> This customer doesn't want any of that, and is so serious about it that I
>> might not get the job if I push it. His only reason given is that if I do
>> work for him, it should belong to him.
As Ivan suggested, I would try to price the job to reflect the fact that
you are selling him the rights, perhaps 1/3 to 1/2 higher. I would also
insist that your written contract allow you the right to keep a copy of
your original site design on your own web site (with a metatag telling the
search engines to go away).
Having your name in a meta tag is pretty useless, as most non-Web
developers don't know how to view source. Also, if the client hires someone
else to modify the site, your name is likely to be deleted from the meta
tags.
If I were in your position, my gut would be churning about now. My
intuition would be telling me to run like hell. This guy sounds like he'll
be a royal pain to work with, as he sounds he would have no respect for the
people who work for him. Do you really want to be "married" to him for the
length of time it'll take to do this job?
This guy sounds like someone who 1) hasn't worked with designers much and
2) is tight-fisted with money. That's a formula for trouble, since he's
likely to be very disorganized in his decision-making and will expect you
to make lots of changes for free. Indeed, you may find yourself sucked into
what seems like a never-ending project. Be very careful to keep good notes
of all initial conversations detailing what you've agreed to do for a
certain price. Make a detailed list those agreements in your contract, then
carefully specify in the contract that if he changes his mind about what he
wants after you've already done the work, you'll have to charge him an
hourly rate, *above* the contract price of the job, for the changes. If you
can't cover it in the contract, make sure that you get sign-offs along the
way, with each sign-off containing a statement that changes to this
agreed-upon direction may necessitate additional fees. If it is
inconvenient or impossible to detail expectations in your contract, then
cover yourself at every step of the way with a system of approvals and
sign-offs. Barbara Ganim's "Designers Commonsense Business Book" has an
excellent system that can be adapted to your needs.
Suz
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