A Summary of Business Principles, and the Contract Guidance Document

Engaging Clients

Always formalise projects with a contract, supported by clear, concise Terms and Conditions.
A simple agreement can suffice; avoid overly complex legal jargon unless using professional legal assistance.
Follow up on client meetings with detailed emails summarising discussions, expectations, scope, and payment agreements.

Key Principles for Contracts

Define the scope of work clearly to avoid disputes.
Specify reasonable pricing and timeframes while allowing some leeway for minor adjustments.
Include a clear mechanism for handling additional work requests, stating that such work incurs extra charges.

Pricing Guidelines

Pricing should reflect effort and complexity. For example:
Basic websites: $1,000–$1,500.
More complex sites: $2,500–$5,000.

Avoid providing excessively detailed breakdowns of costs, as it can complicate negotiations.

Contract Language and Structure

Use moderate language (e.g., “reasonable steps” or “shall”) rather than absolute guarantees.
Divide projects into clear phases (e.g., meetings, design, development, and handover) and ensure agreements on deliverables and changes at each stage.

Managing Client Expectations

Clarify what services are included and exclude anything beyond your expertise.
Avoid overextending yourself or underpricing your work, especially for long-term sustainability.
If clients demand additional features or work, communicate the costs transparently.

Project Workflow

Establish timelines to prevent delays from the client. An example is a client task list.
Use tools and methods that simplify future maintenance and reduce unnecessary client dependency.
Ensure the client owns key accounts like domain names and hosting services to avoid complications.


Client Communication

Maintain frequent, professional, and transparent communication.
Respond promptly to questions, admit when you need time to find answers, and follow through.
Always document free work as a gesture of goodwill without undermining your value.

Professional Conduct

Present yourself professionally in demeanor, communication, and appearance.
Develop positive client relationships, understanding their needs without imposing personal preferences.

Technical Best Practices

Use legally licensed tools, themes, and plugins, ensuring client approval for purchases.
Keep backups and provide clients with essential account and password details during handover.

Ethical and Business Practices

Design websites to meet client needs, not personal tastes or passing trends.
Uphold professionalism, respect all clients equally, and ensure high-quality, lasting solutions.

This document emphasises professionalism, clear communication, fair pricing, and proper client relations for successful and ethical project delivery. All contracts or Terms and Conditions must be reasonable and not lop-sided or out of character with ASIC standards.

Clients generally do not wish to read too much detail, or simply do not read such documents. Verbal communications are important for re-stating design decisions, especially when others attempt to interfere down the track.

shaw-au.net