There are a lot of things that can turn an exciting new design project into a nightmare for a graphic design business. Many graphic design businesses have experienced these issues below, including myself. The best way to avoid stress and problems with clients is to educate yourself about what can go wrong ahead of time and take steps to protect your yourself.
Graphic Design Business Tips
Below are 3 common problems that can go wrong and while they may sound simple and the solutions are simple, thousands of designers fall victim to these pitfalls.
1. Clients Who Won’t Pay
We all want to get paid and there are several ways to protect yourself against not getting paid. The first big mistake is to not require a down payment. Many designers do the work on spec or let the clients pay at the end, which is a big mistake. There are a few ways you can bill clients, but I prefer to simply bill half upfront and half when done, or get the full amount upfront for smaller jobs.
You should also use invoicing software or fill out an invoice template and a contract and have them all signed by the client so you have the project and payment details in writing. This will give you more power if you have to actually use the law to get your money, but hopefully it will not come to that.
2. Endless Revisions
This is an easy one to forget. You may be a great designer, but its an inside joke in the design community that the client always picks the worst design so they may not pick the design you worked hardest on, which means lots of possible revisions.
Many clients can be very picky and detail oriented, which is fine because they want to be happy, but if you do not limit revisions your project could turn into a nightmare where you actually don’t make any money because you had to put in so many extra hours.
As an example, you could offer 3 initial concepts for a logo design and then 3 revision rounds once they have picked one of the initial concepts to move forward with. You should also specify the price for additional revision rounds in case they want more.
3. Poor Planning and Timing
If you don’t plan out a project to the last detail and set a time frame you will run into major issues as well. For example if you are doing a website you need to know EXACTLY how many pages you need to create, what each page will have on it and so on. Talk about this with the client and make sure they give you everything you need before you start and get it in writing.
Creating a wire frame can be really helpful. A wire frame is basically a quick outline of what a design or website will look like and what will go where. This way you don’t miss anything and wont run into spending more time adding missing items later, which could cost you money.
Many clients also have very tight deadlines so you need to be able to gauge how long a project will take you and you need to get this in writing as well. For example you could say the estimated time to complete the project will be 3 weeks, but it could take a week more depending on extra revisions and such. Its better to add a few days or more to your estimated project deadline to give yourself a buffer.
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Great post, thanks!
some great tips, thanks :)
i haven’t had a non-paying client yet thank god!
Nice one. Good idea to discuss basics. More profesional habits reflect positiveliy on every designer-client-relationship. Talking about pricing would be the next step.
[...] 3 Do or Die Graphic Design Business Tips [...]
Thanks for this article
really helpful
The CSS is Warping in Safari 4.0 hope you know, nice article, liked it. TC
Excellent tips! I always invoice via PayPal so no one is waiting for checks to be delivered or clear the bank. This way clients can get their files faster too.
Great article, always demand 50% upfront and wait for “confirmation of payment”…don’t do what I did recently and waste 5 days brainstorming and conceptualizing. Then to find out the client words…”I’ve just sent the money”…meant squat.
Yes, the old chestnut revisions…after doing 10 or 15 revision they will often go back to the first one or say they don’t like any of them. In your working agreement state clearly how many revisions you will supply in regards to their outlay of funds.
Many of a client will have poor planning skill and just “Want it done”, his where you skills as a designer and businessman come into play. Help your clients understand the need for a well structured brief outline their needs and wants.
I think running a web design business can be a tricky job indeed.
Trying to balance good quality designs and keep customer satisfaction is no easy fete, especially when you extremely busy. I often find it hard to manage customers expectaions in the sense I never allow myself enough time, promising the earth. I’ve got to be realistic and truthful to the client when I have a lot of clients to balance. And give them clear dates of when I’ll start and finish projects.
[...] Its better to add a few days or more to your estimated project deadline to give yourself a buffer. Taken from YouTheDesigner. Tags: business, Design, tips Category: Design, Design Resources You can follow any responses [...]
Thanks everyone happy to see you found this info useful
[...] 3 Do or Die Graphic Design Business Tips [...]
I like the second points “endless revisions” solution:
“offer 3 initial concepts for a logo design and then 3 revision rounds once they have picked one of the initial concepts to move forward with. You should also specify the price for additional revision rounds in case they want more.”
Very useful and good tips, thanks for sharing :)
Wonderful tips! I’ve tweeted it!
Really great post… I totallly agree with you.
Keep up the great work! ;)
Ovi Dogar
AbsoluteCovers.com
[...] 3 Do or Die Graphic Design Business Tips [...]
Regarding comment number two: In the past, our company has given clients the option of choosing from a number of Web designs (usually three). What we’ve found is that most clients say that they want pieces and parts from each design all morphed into one. For us, this has meant starting the design over from scratch. We’ve found that, before the start of a project, using a much lengthier interview process and only offering ONE design to the clients has remedied this problem. The designs now seem to fall more closely into the ballpark of what the clients are wanting in their Web designs. This has saved a lot of time on our part and our clients have been much happer with the outcome. Here are some examples of the questions that we ask our clients before the start of a project: http://www.pilotfishseo.com/website-design-questions.asp
Thank you for the advice, payment can be a huge nuisance… something you need to get right from the start.
Some good points. I really should insist on a down payment myself. Thankfully I’ve never had a problem client.
Nice post! you are absolutely right… i am subscribed now =D
its very very help full. i like this post and i would like to thanks many many
Very valid comments. We will link this article for graduates thanks!
TGDS
Always do a project plan and stick to it.
Make sure to give deadlines for content for the client.
If they don’t meet those revise the project plan and show that the completion date will be pushed further back.
nice post, i am fully agree with you and keep going like this way. thanks for the good article.
Good Article. It is very helpful to Graphic Artist and Designer.
its very very help full. i like this post and i would like to thanks many many
great post, i have designed graphics and the client didnt pay, yet they still wanted me to do more work for them. I just told them no. payment first.
I am new to the design industry, just scored in intern-ship. This information is great, thank you.
thanks for the tips. hopefully more to come.
Nice Post. Thanks and keep it coming..
Good post…
Fabian …I am agree with U, that some client has really poor skill of planning. Demanding 50% payment in advanced is absolutely fit idea. I am SEO expert and already face the same problem regarding payments issue.
Anyway, Nice post and thanks for sharing
Alex
Great tips! Luckily, I’ve been following these steps for years and they all work.
Another important point: have a simple 2-3 page contract for each client for each project. It will protect both sides. The client will also feel more secure putting down a deposit knowing that they have your signature with the promise to complete the project (in case they think you can run away with their money). If the customer doesn’t want to sign – that’s the first red flag. In that case – run away from that customer before you take their money! ;)
But even before I send out a contract, I put all terms on all my Quotes/Estimates. Otherwise, when the customer calls you to announce that he/she agrees on your proposed price, you get all excited about getting the project and you’ll hesitate to require the deposit or lay down your rules (because all clients want you to start on their project right then and finish it before the day is over, don’t they? :).
Hope this helps.
Good Article
I always find it’s best to:
1. Provide a detailed quotation so that the client knows exactly what the project includes.
2. Get confirmation from the client that they agree to the quotation, and both of you agree to a contract on the terms of business and payment. This avoids any confusion later on.
3. Get 50% of the amount up front – if the client is serious they won’t mind paying this. If they don’t want to pay, then they are probably not serious about proceeding.
The more detailed you are with the client prior to commencing work, the less grey area there is, and the less confusion they’ll be. This means they’ll know exactly what is included, and are more likely to be happy with your work.
If you’re too vague about pricing, specification, dates for completion and payment, then this will lead to problems later on. No hidden charges, and no unrealistic deadlines. Be honest with the client from the start, and they’ll be honest with you.
Just my 2 cents.
hi all im a 22 year old stay at home mom i am a very creative person and just finished studding graphic design but work is little so ill have to try and do things my self only problem is i know only the basics and am looking for a mentor to explain how things work if any one can help please contact me via e mail “charlene123@telkomsa.net” i would greatly appreciate it
I always want to be a designer and be an expert in it, so hopefully I can make a business in design field. Thanks anyway for the useful tips.
We recently had an experience where the site was designed for a launch on a tradeshow, we worked day and night to achieve the deadline. Mockups were approved for a clean white based design, psd files were sliced into HTML/css and Content management was bolted onto it and next thing we hear 3 days ahead of the tradeshow that they wanted to change the colour theme from white to green! It was a typical client statement – ‘But its just a colour change!’. We had to educate them on the web design process, explain how this can add to the timescales and can by no means be a non-billable change. Ultimately wisdom prevailed and they agreed to pay for the revision time.
I see this post has been around a bit. More people need to see.
These tips work for copywriters, too.
Always, always, always get 50% upfront.
Detailed estimate.
Get email or signed approval before beginning.
Include schedule/timeframe.
Specify # of concepts/drafts/revisions.
Be clear about what is a change in Scope of Work vs. a minor revision.
Love the idea of using PayPal for payment. Eliminates that “Check is in the mail” stuff. Not sure if large co’s can do.
Very wise tips for graphic designer,thanks.
Also don’t forget scope creep. This happens to me quite often. You have all the rules in place on the spec list, complete the project, then low and behold the client is begging for you to add this extra thing or that. I’m often stumped as to if I should charge them extra or just let it go. I’ve tried both methods and clients often act shifty when you ask for more money. Sigh….
gooooooooooooooood thansk
Good post – enjoyed it, thank you
thanks for this articel.
nice info.
I agree with many of the comments listed above, it is important to add a few extra days to any project to insure that your client doesn’t feel “left behind” if the development take more time then expected. I also agree with Rory that is a delicate balance to be truthful to the client while keeping all your clients in perspective. Web design can be a hard game to play, but in reality I cannot see myself doing anything else.
The same tips apply in Web development, on smaller projects of course.
Thanks
The designs now seem to fall more closely into the ballpark of what the clients are wanting in their Web designs. This has saved a lot of time on our part and our clients have been much happer with the outcome.
Good post, i defo agree with the payment upfront option after already being caught out, i now offer my clients the option of 50% pre and 50 % after or a plan where they can pay over 4 monthly installments with the first upfront. Don’t get caught out
It’s really good
coool
wooa
amazing post
Very good post, i will try them out thanks
Point one is the most pertinent. Be careful with new clients you must check them out with credit software.
Thanks for information. The same tips apply in Web development, on smaller projects of course.