#ClientCancellation #OnlineStore #BusinessSetback
Hey everyone! 🌟 So, yesterday was a bit of a rollercoaster for me. My client unexpectedly cancelled the online store I was building for their boutique after a week of hard work. It was a tough blow, but I’m trying to stay positive and learn from this experience.
Here’s the situation: I had crafted a fantastic e-commerce product with SEO built in from Day 1 to drive traffic to their business. The client seemed pleased with the progress until they suddenly changed their mind. 🤷♂️
Now, I’m seeking some advice on how to handle setbacks like this in the future. Here’s what I’m thinking:
– Stay professional and understanding when communicating with the client
– Evaluate what could have been done differently to prevent this situation
– Offer to repurpose the work for another client or try to salvage some of the elements for future projects
Any other suggestions or similar experiences you’d like to share? Let’s turn this setback into a learning opportunity together! 💪 #StayPositive #LearnFromSetbacks
Sorry to hear this happened to you. Take it as a learning. Next time take a deposit and / or put some terms and conditions in place for cancellation of work.
Sorry about that. Shit happens, dust your back and learn from the experience.
Depending on your confidence in your site and their product to sell, alongside the remaining work to be done it could be worthwhile still delivering on it.
As you’ve mentioned they’re having cash problems, position the integration/upgrade as one that starts free and will pay for itself, either based on % of new sales (difference from current to now), and or flat amounts on a routine basis (monthly / fortnightly) while your website and iterations do the job of converting.
Upside: potential of some money for effort, with potential for more money if it works well. Will need contract to confirm what that looks like.
Downside: without proper contract/ trust in place, they could take work and not pay you depending on agreements.
If starting out, best to get a portfolio up and going, then be selective about clients etc.
This is an opportunity to refine your skillset in a live environment. Times are tough, but the tough and optimistic can make something happen, irrespective of how big or small the win is.
Good luck!
Can also trade your completed works for equity to alleviate their short term in exchange for upside.
What I do is just send an invoice for the hours worked. Sometimes clients will pay for this or will make a counter offer. Good luck!
Let this be a lesson on why you should always take a deposit upfront (if you haven’t already)
Move on from this client and spend the time trying to find serious business owners who go through with their commitments.
All up front or pay by the day
No deposit? No contract? You can always bill for hours worked if there’s any sort of agreement in place and then threaten small claims if they don’t pay up.
Better take upfront payment as builders do, as per milestones for big projects.
This time is done, so (as other suggested – keep it as template, maybe find another client in same category).
Can I DM to check on the project and cost, maybe minimal 1% chance I can help get a client?
Apart from the advice below, if you are still interested in working with them, you could suggest payment by commission. You get a percentage of the product. This way they don’t have to spend any money upfront, and you can have a continuous income from it. Maybe worth trying now you’ve already developed the product.
Do you know if he doesn’t want a shop anymore, or he just decided to go with somebody else? I’d still bill him for the hours you spent on this and gave him what’s been built.
If he still says no, try to find another client in the same space where you can reuse the work you’ve done.
Don’t start until you get at least a 50% deposit—no matter how excited you are about the project.
Charge for your time and move on.
Send the invoice. Put as NET 60 (due in 60 days). If they don’t pay you, sell it to another client and just update it with their company names. It shouldn’t be too much to change for a new client. But what I might do is use it. Sell a couple of items on it to generate a little revenue for yourself.
My business makes stores for freelancers so they can show off their skills. If you can do it yourself, do it. Just go buy a domain (maybe even a really good one that has been used previously by someone else-look at expired domain auctions). Register a new business name or file a second name that your business will be working under. Or simply just make it clear that your storefront is still under your main business’ name and simply using a different store name to advertise your skills. I assume new business would be the best situation for you, as you are the web developer, not a clothing designer.
If you don’t know how to do some things or don’t have the time, hire someone else to. Someone else can always manage this project for you. If you need more help, send me a private message.
Also, in the future, always get them to sign a contract with clear payment deadlines and partial payment upfront!
Best of luck. Hopefully, they will pay you.
Try to contact their competition and see if they want a new website, if they don’t pay you for your time spent of course.
How close is it to being done?
If it is mostly done, perhaps just finish it, and offer it at a discount, because something is better than nothing.
If times are tough, try harder to sell them on the idea that this will help them generate sales with the built-in SEO. Offer them installments.
I don’t start a project until 50% deposit
I don’t start a project w/o a signed contract
Question: does the client have access to the website ?
Feedback:
* Hopefully, you have a contract detailing what happens if the client cancels.
* If you do have a contract, consult that on what to do.
* If you don’t have a contract, then create one for the next client.
* Hopefully, you got a deposit before beginning work.
* If you got a deposit, then you can work with the client to determine how much to return (if at all).
* If you didn’t get a deposit, then invoice the client for the time spent on the project.
* Also, if you didn’t get a deposit, then get a deposit next time.