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Anneke Crouse
8,199 PointsChoosing Clients - as a beginner freelance web developer
I often get clients who want some minor Front End changes done to their site, which is great as it helps me learn, while getting paid and getting some experience.
But, what do you do when a client is asking for something that you would not exactly want to put on your portfolio. (eg. ugly design, bad web practices, etc.) Would you take it on regardless, given that you need the experience, or would you keep your dignity and decline the client?
4 Answers
Aisha Blake
Treehouse Guest TeacherI actually had this issue today! It was a small job, coding up a simple web page based on a png mockup (assets were sent separately). The client actually insisted that I use Comic Sans for the body text and several images where text would have worked better. I expressed my concerns fully, explaining why the alternatives I suggested made more sense, but the client was sure of what he wanted. It seems to me that in that case, the person is going to do what they want whether it makes good design sense or not. If you refuse to do it, they'll just get someone else. You might as well get it done, get paid, and never tell anyone your ugly secret.
The exception to this would be if you're pressed for time. If working on something like this would keep you from doing work that pays AND that you can be proud of, it may be worth it to tell the person with the badly designed site that you're unable to enter into any new projects at this time.
Stan Day
36,802 PointsI do not have much experience In doing websites for clients but you could always make the website for them but not include it in your portfolio. Or try to advise them why what they are doing is bad and convince them to come round to your way of thinking. I guess it really depends on how much you need the job or want the money and what you are willing to compromise in order to do the job they want.
Holger Liesegang
50,595 PointsHi Anneke,
I would have exactly written what Aisha Blake already wrote (if I had seen your question earlier that is :) ) because IMHO that would definitly be the sensible way to go (...and I'm already for a really very long time in this business) :)
...oh and believe me I had (many years ago) more than enough of this "I was young and needed the money kinda web-jobs" in my life, too :D
Kind Regards Holger
Anneke Crouse
8,199 PointsThanks for the help guys :) I've decided to follow your advice and just go for it. Money is money, and maybe, just maybe they'll take some of my recommendations on board!
Don Chedele
7,676 PointsDon Chedele
7,676 PointsYeah I like that approach the best. You tell them with your experience that this obviously a bad design to use but if they really want it, then that's fine if you're getting experience and money at the same time!