x1,000 on the maintenance program – and you have to be responsive as well. I have had dozens of clients say their former webmaster charged high fees for small changes – and that’s when you could FIND them. A reasonably-priced maintenance plan with your designer is definitely the way to avoid these situations.

Thanks, Jezra! I can’t tell you how honored I am that two of my clients have posted such complimentary comments about Rowboat Media’s process. Like Lance (above), you were also an example of exemplary communication yourself.

1. Ownership of software and ongoing licenses. This obviously isn’t an issue with WordPress & Thesis, but proprietary software licenses can add up or chain a client to a design/development shop.

2. Ongoing maintenance and support. Once the site is launched, does the web shop offer free bug-fixes for a specified period of time? Also, what are the costs of ongoing edits and tweaks, and will the team be available? In the real world, bugs happen, and small edits need to be made post-launch, after the client has lived with the site for a while. A small monthly maintenance fee can be seen as an “insurance policy” so you always have someone available to help out.

Thanks for the super-helpful post!

Cheers, Eric Weidner

Thanks Lance! As I said to you earlier, you are a model of perfect client communication. Your project was a complex one, and you stepped up to the plate by providing the answers and collateral needed for success.

The fact that you invested in a professional photographer also told me you were serious about a quality final product.

Great post!

Having just had you develop a website for us I can attest that you practice what you preach and I ended up having a great experience working with you because of it.

I also knew what was expected of me and knew that you knew what I expected of you.

I’ll also admit that I ultimately chose you over others because you demonstrated to me via your website that you ran a tight ship (pun intended).

Lance Pederson
Fairway America, LLC

No crap. Bookmarked this and believe I will link it up in my design brief PDF when I send ‘er over!

//* hai to moderator! *//
Could we prettttty please get a subscribe to comments ticker? That would be most splendid.

Thanks Joanna – I have to remind myself of that daily – especially with my lawyer clients – sometimes they’re in trial for a week and barely get to eat. It’s hard on the the ego to realize we’re just not as important to our clients as they are to us, even though the final product is, of course, of utmost importance. Again – that self-esteem from within thing.

I feel your pain Kev…my wife is my biggest critic.