Web developer Survival Guide in the Maldives

First of all I would like to introduce myself as developing websites since a long time.

My hope for this post is to give new web developers in the Maldives some advice to get through difficult times dealing with clients and in building a good image to last.

I’d like to make some brief points which I personally followed through the years of development and in dealing with clients.

1. Have at least one website developed by you to show your clients.
2. Make a web developer contract, if you scare away clients by submitting it chances are that they don’t really intend to pay you or aren’t being serious to develop the website.
3. On the first meeting never quote a price. Chances are that you’d probably quote higher or lower than the client expects.
4. There are two types of clients.
1. a. Clients who know what they want.
2. b. Clients who want a solution.
1. For a. category clients you least need to provide solutions. Design as they tell you to. If the client wants a pink colored background with proposed low quality gif animation, go for it.
2. For b. category you have to give out the best solutions according to the budget.
5. Don’t put your name on category a. clients website.
6. Never say NO to a feature requested to develop. But do point out the disadvantages or advantages and how much of a price change you’d require for a new feature, along with the duration of development. (For client b. mostly)
7. Set deadlines and stick to it. Delays in development should always be on the clients side, and not on yours. (eg. Material handing delays)
8. Don’t reject small projects. Quote less.
9. If your clients wants you to finish it sooner quote high or give out a lesser price for a longer development duration.
10. Let your client purchase web space and the domain name. You can just recommend one.
11. Invoice the same day you complete the project.
    
12. Answer you client even at difficult times. If you’re a freelancer you’d probably have to expect calls even on holidays and at odd times of the day.
13. Always backup your data.

Happy newyear 2007!