Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Have to show client how to update their site...
MikeTheVike
06-14-2007, 05:52 PM
I'm working on a website that will be done soon. They asked if we could tell them how to can add pictures, text, links, etc. down the road if they want to. I'm already racking my brain trying to figure out how to make the explanation as simple as possible.
Another thing that irritates me about this is that I want to use the site as a portfolio piece, and if they start adding crap and breaking the website, it will make me look bad :(
John G
06-14-2007, 05:59 PM
You can always save a copy and put up a mirrored site on your own website. The trend now seems to be that adding 'slides' of designed websites works just as well (better imo.) than sending a potential customer to someone else's site (away from looking at your stuff).
A small little PDF page with instructions (pictures)?
Now might be the time to look into building a Content Management System for your sites that you can attach along with your future projects that the customer can use to update their own site.
Charge them for your teaching time. That's a lot of work to put something together to teach them how to do this. A PDF page with instructions and pictures is probably the way to go if you don't develop a CMS for them.
carter the artist
06-14-2007, 07:13 PM
Charge them for your teaching time. That's a lot of work to put something together to teach them how to do this. A PDF page with instructions and pictures is probably the way to go if you don't develop a CMS for them.
I concur. What most webbies would do is stay on as a retainer so they can do the updating and have a continuous cash flow.
Yossarian
06-14-2007, 07:28 PM
Ooh, does that include the joy of teaching them about sizing and optimizing their photos for the web? :D
I agree on the slides or site mirror ideas.
Definitely the best way, Carter.
But... you know how clients are... "I want to be able to do it all myself!" Well, then I suggest you get at least a diploma in Graphic Design, and while you're at it, get one in Accounting, one in Marketing, one in Business, one in Stocks, one in Real Estate, and one for any field related to your product.
Robert Kiyosaki once said that the mark of a good business person is knowing how the hire the right professionals for the right job. (NOT knowing how to do the job yourself.)
Typically
06-14-2007, 07:35 PM
if you wanna do a video tutorial you can grab free software here at http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ it just so happens that today they are giving away software to create tutorial videos. as long as u install it by the end of the day it's fully functional software.
i would def charge them for your time if you go that way. best thing to do would be like carter said stay on as a retainer so you can keep it looking pretty and keep cash flowing =]
MikeTheVike
06-14-2007, 08:17 PM
A CMS is too much for this website, hopefully they won't have to update it very often. I'm pretty sure that they will be calling us to change things for them when they end up jacking up the site. I believe we are charging them for this instruction time as well.
Mynock
06-14-2007, 08:17 PM
Cms?
figment
06-15-2007, 05:03 PM
Set them up with a copy of Adobe Contribute. Its simple.
Jackimalyn
06-15-2007, 06:12 PM
Set them up with a copy of Adobe Contribute. Its simple.
What do you mean "set them up?"
CkretAjint
06-15-2007, 06:35 PM
What do you mean "set them up?"
Show them the link online and have them order it and walk them through how to use it for a nominal fee. ;)
_______________
Side note:
I had to do this for a client once, build a small site ad show them how to update it. WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!! Now I just pass the buck along to my friend and let him deal with the headaches...