Comments on: Using “Preventive Medicine” Against Bad Clients

By: Kerri Anne

Kerri Anne — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:06:33 +0000

I am going to bookmark this article to my toolbar! I am not a web designer but I do interiors for a living. Your article is going to be so helpful! I agree, it’s a small percentage of business but when a client is a “bad’ the design process is very high maintenance and extremely stressful for for both parties.
Great job Maria!
Regards
Kerri-Anne

By: Robin

Robin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 01:45:08 +0000

Really nice article.
Its always hard when you start out you don’t tend to be picky with where the business comes from. But down the track it will certainly bite.

80% of my headaches are always 20% of clients. I think i need to take note of the article

By: Maria Malidaki

Maria Malidaki — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:13:11 +0000

Thank you for your comments all. Glad you found it useful!

By: Sanchit

Sanchit — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 11:09:32 +0000

I seriously need to follow some of these steps with a “tough” client.

By: Wachaman

Wachaman — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 06:45:24 +0000

Wow! Amazing article Maria.
Communication seems to be one of the most common ’causes of illnesses’ partly on the client and majority being on the Designer as said by Irina.
Another Key area, come sin handy is the ‘Useful Documents’ bit. I think this really helps articulate your work and expectation as well to the client, leaving them well prepared for the project the are about to task you with.

By: Dan Sensecall

Dan Sensecall — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:41:26 +0000

Great detailed article, so many of these are overlooked.

By: Irina Shishkina

Irina Shishkina — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:43:33 +0000

I think communication is key when dealing with clients. Designers do tend to blame clients when something goes wrong. However, a client does not have to be professional in communicating with a designer, as it can be any person who needs a designer’s services. Designers are the ones who have to be professional at all times. I don’t think there are many (if any) clients who are looking to cause trouble.

Misunderstanding may occur when there is a lack of communication. At the company I am working for, we inform each client of his/her website development process, payments etc via phone and email. It usually prevents most problems.

By: Bron

Bron — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:49:22 +0000

This is really well thought out, thank you! I’m going through a situation right now where I have a potential client that I can see is going to be bad from a mile away! Now I just have to work out how to side step them, and can use your suggestions for avoiding the situation altogether in future :-)

By: twice

twice — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:44:08 +0000

I don’t like metaphors. Say what you mean, if I want to read nice stories, I’ll buy a book.

By: Jessica Rosengard

Jessica Rosengard — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:36:55 +0000

Thanks for touching on such a sensitive and common subject/issue. I tend to be the one who is “too nice” and “feels bad” bringing things up that make me uncomfortable. I do believe that we have to live and learn so we can better manage things in the future. Great post.