Designing a website for someone else

[Spex]

I've been asked to design a site and it's for a friend of a friend, so I do not see this person often. How would I go about doing this for them?

At first, I thought I could simply send him a bunch of files and let him do what he wants with it, but since I would eventually like to freelance myself, I'm wondering how designers go about being a one-stop shop for clients (registration, setting up Hosting, maintaining, etc...)

Do you guys do everything under your own name and credit card then change all that info after the handoff or do you instruct your clients along the way on what to do (ex: tell them where and when to register the domain, tell them when and where to get hosting, etc...)

I'm probably not explaining myself very clearly, so feel free to ask me for info, thanks

[Tia Wood]

It depends on how familiar they are with the processes. I am not sure I completely understand your question. Are you asking how involved the other person should be in the entire process?

[Acro]

First step in the process: you study the subject. Otherwise, you'll be simply creating work for the next person who - being a professional - will know what to do and will charge accordingly.

[Spex]

Thanks for the replies guys

Meganerd:

Yes, I pretty much want to know how involved this person should be. Example scenario…

Client says "I want a website"

Do I, as the designer, register the name and get Hosting under my own name and get the site up and running and then transfer everything to his name. Or do I instruct the client to register the name and buy a hosting package himself and then just send me all the login information afterwards to let me do the work?

Acro:

The subject matter or the subject himself (i.e. the client?). This is a pretty straightforward site as far as the subject matter as he is only looking for a few pages and maybe 10 paragraphs of content total with a few graphics.

Based on past experiences with a passive client, could either of you please give me a general overview of what happens between "I want a website" and it going live?

[south]

Thanks for the replies guys

Meganerd:

Yes, I pretty much want to know how involved this person should be. Example scenario…

Client says "I want a website"

Do I, as the designer, register the name and get Hosting under my own name and get the site up and running and then transfer everything to his name. Or do I instruct the client to register the name and buy a hosting package himself and then just send me all the login information afterwards to let me do the work?

Acro:

The subject matter or the subject himself (i.e. the client?). This is a pretty straightforward site as far as the subject matter as he is only looking for a few pages and maybe 10 paragraphs of content total with a few graphics.

Based on past experiences with a passive client, could either of you please give me a general overview of what happens between "I want a website" and it going live?

Make the customer register it themselves. Do not be responsible for the domain name. You could do the hosting yourself or use a service.

Charge by the hour. Most "a few pages" sites turn into 10 redesigns, 50 pages, and 20 times the work you initially thought it would take.

[Tia Wood]

Thanks for the replies guys

Meganerd:

Yes, I pretty much want to know how involved this person should be. Example scenario…

Client says "I want a website"

Do I, as the designer, register the name and get Hosting under my own name and get the site up and running and then transfer everything to his name. Or do I instruct the client to register the name and buy a hosting package himself and then just send me all the login information afterwards to let me do the work?

I usually go by how much they know about doing those things & and if we (the client & I) have an established relationship. Mostly you can tell by just talking to them. If you do register the domain & hosting on their behalf I wouldn't do it with your details. Do it with their details (address, billing, email, etc) and just send them the login information. You might have to give them a short run down of the yearly & monthly reoccurring billing so they don't lose their site.

If you are worried about getting paid don't transfer the files to their hosting account until payment.

The main reason for never applying your details to hosting & domains is because you become administrative/financially responsible for something you shouldn't be administrative/financially responsible for. You are hired as a web designer or developer not an account manager and some clients who are uncomfortable managing these things will try to put you in a position you shouldn't be in.

[Spex]

If you do register the domain & Hosting on their behalf I wouldn't do it with your details. Do it with their details (address, billing, email, etc) and just send them the login information. You might have to give them a short run down of the yearly & monthly reoccurring billing so they don't lose their site.

gotcha. one more dumb question...who's credit card should I use?

[Acro]

Spex: are you an adult? It's an important question because it will help us give you valid answers. If you're not 18 years old, there are certain implications about what, who, how and why.

[Spex]

Yes, I'm an adult. Sorry if these questions sound basic and immature, but I'm just trying to get an idea of what I should do to avoid issues on either side.

[dstar]

get half as a deposit, have them register the domain and Hosting so you dont have to do a transfer unless you currently have space on a server to develop. send a few mocks of the design so you have an idea of what they are thinking and you dont waste your time.

Dont agree to things you arent worth your time, and try to avoid nitpicking clients.

[Denny501]

What I have done in the past is this. Have your client set up an account at say Go Daddy and pay for domain name, Hosting whatever they need at your direction. After they have all the services in place they give you the password and you go in and build their site. I mention Go Daddy because I am comfortable with their formats, just choose a hosting company you feel comfortable with. I try not to get involed with the continued maint. of the site once I build it...it's a pain and some people are never satisfied, so i tell them if they need changes in the future, I have a $25 per hour fee, 2 hour min.. After you have the site set to your clients specs, have them reset the password so only they have access again....hope this helps...good luck.

[cjmacd]

Spex: if you are interested in learning to be a freelancer and / or running a successful design / development company you should checkout this Business kit from *********: http://www.*********.com/kits/freelance2/ The Web Design Business Kit 2.0 by Brendon Sinclair very good kit, and worth every penny.

And if you'd like to have a bit of advice from another Canadian who's done it already, send me your Instant Messenger details via PM and I'd be happy to chat about the wonderful world and some of the pitfalls of running a successful web development firm


Edit:
ok the stars is suppose to be site point, you get the idea.

[Spex]

Haven't been around for a while, but thanks for the replies everyone. Just about to start the project and will probably go with registering everything myself, using the client's info as the contact on the domain and bill the client accordingly. But I may go with a modified version of Denny501's suggestion.

Thanks again

[jvanceaz]

are you going to be doing this often?

if you so you should seriously consider about getting a reseller account at any of the major registrars.

you can setup the account in your reseller for your client, use their information so you do not have to deal with this later on, and send them the information.

now every time they renew their Hosting/domain get the commission which could be renewing for years and years after the site is built.

as far as cost to build the site, if they know the amount of content they want a flat fee + hourly for any modifications afterward would be my suggestion.