by Tom Peditto
I consider owning a web development company very similar to a traditional advertising agency.
As a developer, you work with a number of clients and these clients stay within your roster as a complex group of moving parts.
Businesses change, expand, fold and disappear. So as these changes take place it makes logical sense that your roster will change rapidly particularly if you have dozens of clients, much like Local Galaxy.
Believe it or not, even if we have been teaming up with a client for years, and while we’d like to keep all on the roster, we understand completely when a change needs to be made. Sometimes a business could benefit from a “fresh set of eyes.”
So when that time comes, we appreciate it very much when the client, calls us, explains the situation and we agree to a proper handoff.
Remember, a web designer usually has access to critical and sensitive information about your company; domain registration, bank information, email access, intranet, extranet, etc.
It is wise to make sure that this transition is done with respect and cooperation so that all can move on with confidence.
So it was to my dismay that of late I have been completely side-swiped by a client who hired someone else, and told them to contact me directly to begin the handoff of website control and management. Yes, I received an email from someone at crazy4websites@yahoo.com, to request we hand over the credentials for a website.
First of all, any web development agency decision maker would never send any details out on a request from joeybagadonuts@hotmail.com unless we first get the approval from the client. Not only that, it is very disappointing that it appears the client does not have the decency to tell you directly that they are trying to make alternate plans.
WE understand. We really do. Things change, budgets change, life changes. Just call us and let us know and we’ll help make the handoff as smooth as possible.