It's only day one of the year and I'm already pissed right off

Why the fuck do all clients expect you to come up with absolutely everything!?

All I ever get is we want a website. I ask well what do you want on it.. our products .. news? Contact maybe ... Urm our business information ... That kind of stuff.

Well what are they?

Pft.. I here is a name if our products. And other stuff

WE ARE SELLING IT WAT ARE THE PRICES AND INFORMATION DO YOU HAVE IMAGES

Yeah do you want them

Of course I do 😐

Great here's 2 of them we have 1100 so I'll get more to you soon.

😤 Thank you!

Holy shit it's always like talking to a fucking brick wall.. why do people have to make our jobs so hard it's already fucking tough

I have no time to plan your entire website by myself I don't know what you want on it. How could I possibly know that!? It's your fucking site

@DLMousey how is that even acceptable do you charge 50 quid

Whenever this happens i just throw together an "add item/whatever" page whats just php->sql

You are asking the wrong question. Ask not what they want to see but what their goals are with the website. Yes, this is your job.

My first question when I meet clients is, what do they wat their users to accomplish on the site. Then make that into points and determine what content they have and what content I will be creating. I build then let them review at this point no new features are allowed only improvements to existing. So if they are fucktards and try to add stuff not in the initial brief then pay or go. They usually invested enough to take the no or pay for their stupidity.

@uselesshero interesting I can see how that could work...

Then they would answer to sell this product or to reach as many people as possible ...

It doesn't clear 100% of it... But it does at least put you in the same area I.e they want it to be heavily social media based ... Or heavy on showing off their images

@penderis @uselesshero similar starting point ... What do you want to achieve.. what are your goals 🤔

Interesting ..

Fire them. Tell them what you need and put the project on hold until they have 100% of what you asked for. Let them know that you may not be available, but the sooner they get it done - the easier it will be to make room in your schedule for them. Do this with every project from now on.

Start with the premise that they haven't a fucking clue. Do your research, there company, competitor analysis best of breed sites for their industry. Put together a proposal, with site plan based on your research. Expand the detail of each area of the site describing its content and functionality. Put an initial estimate which covers the design, copyrighting, photography, build, cms and basic organic seo features. Then an estimated schedule. State clearly that copyrighting and photography are extra costs and involve other professionals etc. Get agreement on this before proceeding. Put together responsibilities and deadlines and issue a contract with payment schedule. Get it signed and start. Dont leave anything to chance. Remember you are the professional and they need their hands holding throughout the process. Stay firm true and professional. You will succeed. Doing it any other way will leave you vunerable, frustrated and fucked off.

I personally run with a clause in my service agreement that entitles me/project lead to put the project on hold for a period not exceeding 28 days before the project is cancelled and all work past the deposit is billed then handed over (once paid). This gives them time to provide all the required information needed to move forward with the project. This has been useful on longer term clients where their specifications and information may be subject to change.

That is 99% of our job xD but I always look at any current website or media to garner more about the company and also write down any and all info I want prior to the conversation. They still don't do it as well as I'd want but hey xD