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  • #35140
    theplastickid
    Participant

    Just wondered what your thoughts on this were.

    I am thinking of offering a monthly retainer of say $50 a month to my clients to cover all the minor non structural updates and analytic reporting.

    Anyone do anything similar?

    #90549
    chrisburton
    Participant

    The minor structural updates seem to me as a money grabber. I think you should charge by rate on that.

    As for web analytics, I see nothing wrong with charging them for monthly reports as long as it’s professional and you document what is staying the same, what are the changes, etc.

    You might even make more using your rates. Crunch the numbers.

    #90550
    theplastickid
    Participant

    Yeah I had no set figure and don’t know exactly what I will include in the price was just toying with the idea.

    #90572
    TheDoc
    Member

    I don’t do it, but I know some people that do. It really depends on the level of support you’re willing to provide to your clients. If I have them on retainer, I feel like they might feel like they are entitled to send me more emails, queries, etc.

    #90569
    theplastickid
    Participant

    Well the reason for my thinking of this was that my clients are convinced they own me already lol.

    #90573
    chrisburton
    Participant

    Not to sound harsh but that’s your fault. You need to be confident in what you’re doing otherwise business people will destroy you. If you do not want to do something that is completely unfair, speak up and do not give in. I’m assuming they want you to make a lot of changes and since you’re new at this you’re putting your head down and agreeing to it but quickly finding out that is isn’t quite fair.

    Do you not have a lawyer?

    #90576
    theplastickid
    Participant

    Yeah I am gaining in confidence as time goes on. I don’t have a lawyer whys that?

    #90577
    chrisburton
    Participant

    To write up your contacts and to dispute anything that may go wrong. This way you’re both protected.

    #90580
    theplastickid
    Participant

    How much would that cost?

    #90581
    chrisburton
    Participant

    It depends on the lawyer so contact a few in your area.

    You can find some contracts on the web but I was told a lot of them can be useless due to loopholes around them. You’re better off having a custom contract that fits what you need.

    #90582
    theplastickid
    Participant

    Thanks that’s defiantly something I’ll look into.

    #90615
    standuncan
    Member

    @ChristopherBurton, is there a certain type of business lawyer you should be looking for, for this?

    #90616
    chrisburton
    Participant

    Some lawyers specialize in contracts but all know how to do it.

    #90620
    tobeeornot
    Member

    Most lawyers should have an understanding of IP and digital law but like Chris says I would ask them to assess your business and make bespoke contracts according to your needs as a supplier of commercial services.

    #90621
    tobeeornot
    Member

    BTW – it is worth researching what you want to be protected against and what you want the terms of your service to be. Lawyers may take the slow and more costly path if you don’t provide them with clear direction, too.

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