[stand856]

To you guys who have developed web pages for others, did you have a contract? (Yes i know i can find one on google.) Problems with getting people to sign it? Good or bad? Etc.....

[mbolton2181]

I never did a contract; I just made everything clear and they agreed to it in emails and made sure they knew I was saving every email for business notes. Then again for web design I general get work by networking people I know instead of random people from the internet.

[sniping4dummies]

I'm launching a site within the next week that is going to provide a lot of resources on how to 'get started' in web design, because like we all know, all the Search Engine Optimization in the world won't get you any business if you don't

A. Have a portfolio
B. Have a kick ass site
C. Know where to go to FIND customers (instead of praying to god they find you)
D. Exactly how, where, and why to spend your startup capital (luckily, you'll only need a few hundred dollars using our strategy).
E. Know exactly how to correctly operate: what to do and what not to do.
F. Sales proposals, how to write sales copy, how to close a WEB DESIGN sale in 20 minutes, how to close a WEB DESIGN sale in 30 days, and understanding what the difference is.

If this sounds interesting, send me a PM. Along with two other successful web CEOs, I'll be publishing real techniques that REALLY work to help you get started.

[Hooman]

I don't really do contracts, but I like to meet with the person face-to-face if possible. That usually eliminates most of the BS.

[George]

Contracts have it's advantages and disadvantages.

Personally, I would recommend a small contract, Keep It Simple.
You would also have to do a little research on your laws as to what type of contracts are able to hold up in court - or small court claims.

The reason for contracts is to protect both client and yourself.
Depending on how you want to word the contracts, you can mention about deadlines, type of work you will provide - maybe even in details if you would like and when the payments are supposed to be made.

Again, depending on your local law, you may have to go to a lawyer or a notary public to have it legalized.

Many times, over and over again I've heard, seen, and experienced at times where clients do not fulfill their agreements.

But however, depending on the type of clients you have, small projects may not need a contract, but do have some type of e-mails stating that the work will be done for the amount of price.

In the end, you want to make sure you project yourself.

Hope that helps.

[Prophet Industries]

I do a contract with every project that comes across my desk whether it i is $100 - $1000. Get a contact that will pretty much cover any type of project, and change it around as you get different types of jobs. But as a business, why would you not protect yourself from not getting paid for your time and work ?

[stand856]

thanks to all for bringing up excellent points