Forums | MacLife

Well, this is what I do.

First off, I make them  sign a contract forcing them to pay me and or give me what I need at a reasonable time.
http://designforum.aiga.org/content.cfm … aid=272730

Second, I make them pay half upfront before I work. Or, if it's a long project, I make them pay upfront and during project milestones. Even if they screw me in the end, they don't get their site and I'm still able to make some money.

Third, I never point anyone's domain name to my server. They can view their site in a hidden temporary directory, but if they want the finished product to go live, they have to pay me and or give me what I need to finish the job. No freebees.

Fourth, I never work with lawyers. Seriously. They suck.

Fifth, I register domains and buy server space for my clients. I don't let them do that. Unfortunately, that means I have to pay upfront. But it also means I get to add a service charge (15%) and I get to establish myself as the administrative contact (ie: past clients usually return to me). BUT... don't do this unless it has been mentioned in your contract. Moreover, make sure they pay for their server and domain BEFORE you start to build a site. 
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Now, as for your current predicament.
Now, I would imagine you did not draft up a contract. That's ok... use this as a learning experience. Really, there is not much you can do right now without a contract. I wouldn't start charging them for web space, overtime, late fees, setup costs, etc.  They are lawyers and they might snap at you.

Pull down their site,  burn it to a disk, send them a final invoice, and call them up one more time.  You may want to offer to set up the space for them... for a fee.

When they work with you, put it online. If they don't work with you... well, you have something for your portfolio.

I thnik Aqua OS Xs sugestion of burning the files to a disk and pulling the site off you server it the best option. It will light a fire under them to do something. Chalk one up to experience on this one and never forget the all important contract.

-Ed

Send them the bill, you're job is done.  That way you get paid, and it's on them to fill their part of the agreement.  Once you get paid, you could remove the site from your webspace. 

Or, offer to host the site for them for $20/month or so.  You could even put it on a $6/month host.  Then send them the bill for the design and the hosting.  With this scenario, you also get to stay in contact with them for updates, maintenance and other billable work.

Miles wrote:

Any suggestions?

I would point you toward the euphoriadreams site, but it's gone...

Luckily for you, I've got a screenie...
clicky!