When to Fire a Client?

homeriscool

homeriscool

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Hi all, I took a client on for web design and Seo about three months ago, and everything was going well until a few days ago.

Now he's asking me to make changes to the site, which will have a negative impact on Seo.

I have told him multiple times that everything I do is for a reason, but now he is insisting on changes.

"His co-workers, and the architects that he works with think it would be better"

Is it time to let him go?
 
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If a customer wants an oil change on their car with a specific oil they want, and I tell them that this oil will fuck up the engine....I will still do it if they insist. Just make sure you have an agreement that you told them so in advance.
 
Share some real proof of case studies of the bad impact it might happen.

That might change his mind.
 
navyraiser said:
If a customer wants an oil change on their car with a specific oil they want, and I tell them that this oil will fuck up the engine....I will still do it if they insist. Just make sure you have an agreement that you told them so in advance.
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Good example! Imagine that your knowingly messing up their car and you have told them and you do it anyway. So frustrating.....
 
If client ignores your advice and hurts results its a red flag. You can warn once more and show why it will drop rankings.

If he still pushes then better drop him before it gets worse.
 
i thought i was going to read a horror story about not being paid for work done.
you are going to drop a client because he told you to make some changes to his website? are you really that sensitive?
 
don6644 said:
i thought i was going to read a horror story about not being paid for work done.
you are going to drop a client because he told you to make some changes to his website? are you really that sensitive?
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You obviously don't understand, buddy.
 
If a client is asking you to make changes that will actively hurt the results you were hired to deliver, that is a red flag. You have documented your reasoning, communicated it multiple times, and he is still pushing back by deferring to people who have no skin in the game. At that point it is not really a client relationship anymore. I would have a final honest conversation, set a firm boundary, and if he still insists then yes, it is time to let him go. Protecting your reputation and results matters more than one client.
 
navyraiser said:
If a customer wants an oil change on their car with a specific oil they want, and I tell them that this oil will fuck up the engine....I will still do it if they insist. Just make sure you have an agreement that you told them so in advance.
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I don’t think anything beats this… the way you wrap the situation around it : D
 
he may have a point , and so do you. there may be a middle ground that hasnt been discovered. who knows :)
 
ravikantrathor said:
If a client is asking you to make changes that will actively hurt the results you were hired to deliver, that is a red flag. You have documented your reasoning, communicated it multiple times, and he is still pushing back by deferring to people who have no skin in the game. At that point it is not really a client relationship anymore. I would have a final honest conversation, set a firm boundary, and if he still insists then yes, it is time to let him go. Protecting your reputation and results matters more than one client.
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100% agree with this ^
 
How long does your contract last ?

1. Deliver a PRINTED REPORT describing the change request from the client and how you think it will cause problems (Functional Specification)

2. Make the person that signed the contract, SIGN THE FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATION YOU DELIVERED

3. Deliver a COMPLETE SEO AUDIT document to the person that signed the contract. Mark as "Current Status"

4. Make the person that signed the contract, SIGN THE SEO AUDIT YOU DELIVERED

5. List the EXACT CHANGES YOU WILL MAKE to comply with the clients change request (Technical Specification)

6. Make the person that signed the contract, SIGN THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION YOU DELIVERED

7. Implement the changes AND ONLY THE AGREED CHANGES

8. Test the system per your regression testing script

9. Turn the system back over to the client for their testing process

10. When complete have the client sign a document stating they accept the changes

Run an SEO Audit once a week for 8 weeks to see any changes

Sincerely,

The Eye
 
homeriscool said:
Hi all, I took a client on for web design and Seo about three months ago, and everything was going well until a few days ago.

Now he's asking me to make changes to the site, which will have a negative impact on Seo.

I have told him multiple times that everything I do is for a reason, but now he is insisting on changes.

"His co-workers, and the architects that he works with think it would be better"

Is it time to let him go?
Click to expand...
no maybe you just listen to him atleast once
 
homeriscool said:
You obviously don't understand, buddy.
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client has not paid me in 6 months so I will keep him.
i did web design for client, he changed all the passwords and locked me out. i will keep him.
client is giving me work that's not even my job. i will keep him too.
client asked me to do something that's my job. oh no, what a tragedy. i better drop him.
 
don6644 said:
client has not paid me in 6 months so I will keep him.
i did web design for client, he changed all the passwords and locked me out. i will keep him.
client is giving me work that's not even my job. i will keep him too.
client asked me to do something that's my job. oh no, what a tragedy. i better drop him.
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You just stick to your little web design jobs son.

You dont understand SEO.

Leave the big boys to do the real work that generates A LOT of money for businesses.
 
Been there many times. Even recently, sometimes it's better for your sanity to just fire them sooner than later. It's a hard thing to learn, but you'll find better clients.
 
jetski761 said:
Been there many times. Even recently, sometimes it's better for your sanity to just fire them sooner then later.
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Hey, thanks for your input.

Yes it is quite stressful isnt it. How did it go when you fired them?
 
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