Dear freelancer,

If you've just ventured out as a freelance web designer, or perhaps you've just started your own development business and are now self employed - congratulations! You should be vey proud of taking the first steps. Well done.

I remember when I first started out, I was a little anxious at first, but happy to be out of my 9 to 5 duldrum boring office job and now making my own decisions without anyone telling me what to do. No longer was I being subjected to traffic, boring meetings or annoying office gossip. I was now my own boss - wahoo! Back then I thought this would mean meeting some wonderful people, having casual days at the office and making a fortune doing what I loved - web design. Boy was I wrong!

It quickly became apparent that this wasn't going to be the case, unless I addressed some really serious issues. Issues that if weren't addressed quickly, would mean having to return to work, asking for my old job back. Believe me, I certainly didn't want to do that!

You see, I've learnt over the past 9 years that being self employed as a freelance web developer can mean making some good money, and having more time to yourself, or it can mean continually working longer hours for less money, with less reward, being more stressed, and having to deal with extremely annoying and difficult clients, that either continually make ongoing change requests, are late with payments or even worse, don't pay you at all! Or there's those who call you at 1am in the morning, asking why they can't log into their mail!

But here's the good news. With each and every client that caused me a nightmare and had me to the point of either almost crying or wanting to quit, I learnt something. I learnt a very valuable lesson that I believe every freelance web developer and designer often overlook, and it's an invaluable lesson that can cripple your business if you don't do something about it - FAST!

And this lesson is that....

“You Must Use Documentation To Ensure You Protect Yourself With Each Client And Web Project!”

Documentation such as web design proposals, web development contracts, work order forms, change request sheets, maintenance agreements, technical specification documents, credit card authorization forms, invoices and handover and project acceptance forms.

Seems pretty straight forward doesn't it? I mean, you wouldn't enter into a business agreement with anyone without actually signing a contract or agreeing to a quotation or at the very least a proposal. Its sensible business practice, yet it seems that many self employed freelance web designers overlook it. And when they do, they complain that they've been burnt!

And this is why it's so common, especially in webmaster, and coding forums where you read topic after topic of freelance web designers who make the following complaints....

“My client doesn't know what she wants. I've just done up three different designs and wasted 2 weeks, and she doesn't like any of them -- I'm getting so frustrated!”

“A few weeks later, after having done more development work on this clients website, I haven't heard back from anyone. I've sent emails and made phone calls and nothing. I'm out of pocket $1,200.”

“I'm so sick and tired of waiting on these people to get the content to me so I can finish this website. They keep telling me they'll do it but I'm still waiting -- its been months.”

Are you seeing the trend here? I bet the majority of these freelancers just smiled, nodded, said yes a lot and shook hands with their clients before they even thought about documentation! A BIG mistake!

To me this only highlights the importance of using documentation when dealing with clients to ensure that you outline absolutely everything as requested to eliminate any potential issues ahead of starting any web project. It only makes perfect sense to do so, and this is why the documentation pack that I offer here will not only solve your problems, but give you more confidence in knowing that you are protected!

Okay, if at any point you've asked yourself these questions...

1. What exactly do I put in my web proposal?

2. What should I include in my web contract?

What if they don't pay me? What if they dont provide the needed content or images so that I can get the job done? What if they keep changing their mind?

3. How should I provide my initial design layout and mockup?

Do I spend a week on it? Do I do it for free? How can I get them to agree to something in writing? How can I avoid going back and forth for a month straight?

4. How can I address change requests?

I dont wan't the client to be constantly changing his or her mind about colors, layout or site navigation, that will drive me mad! How can I address this?

5. What if the client requests a Confidentiality Agreement?

If they do tell me they want to use one, what exactly do I include in it?

6. What do I put in a handover and project acceptance document?

From what Ive heard, a lot of developers have clients that keep coming back wanting things added? Can this be avoided with a handover document? What do I put in it?

7. How do I address ongoing maintenance when the site is finished?

I want to ensure that I clarify ongoing support in my contract but how do I word it?

8. In my passwords inventory file, what do I document?

I guess I need to provide the client with usernames and passwords, but in what particular order and how do I structure it?

9. How can I clarify hosting, domain name registration and email

management?

I need something in writing that assures me that the client is clear on exactly what is being done and who is responsible for ongoing costs, where do I start?

10. How do I correctly itemize a job within an invoice?

I want to ensure that it looks professional and outlines every section of the work that has been done. How do I do up an invoice for my client?

....then you really need to stop messing about and take action! Failing to have this documentation pack and using it within your freelancing business could mean either one of three things.....

1. You get burnt by a client, losing both valuable time and money.
2. You end up throwing it all in because it becomes too hard, too stressful and doesnt create enough money for you -- OR
3. You go back to your day job, sitting at a desk staring out the window like I used to!

“What Exactly Do You Get
In The Pack?”

These are documents that I use daily within my own freelance web design business working from my home office. I have no doubts that these documents will pay for themselves over and over. For such a small investment you are bound to secure more work and ensure an immediate return on investment. Remember, its a business expense so it should be completely tax deductible!

Why waste time trying to write up your own documentation and contracts? Simply purchase and download this comprehensive package that will not only save you time, but improve your chances of landing that big web project. Impress your clients with these professional documents that cater for any web developer or self employed freelancer. Simply download and go - these documents are ready for immediate use. All you have to do is fill in the blanks - its that easy! Have a comprehensive proposal done in 5 minutes flat!

“Self Guiding Templates, Just Fill In The Blanks With Your Business, Project and Client Info.”

Each documentation pack includes all the necessary documents to ensure a methodical and professional approach to each web project. They cover you right through the entire process from the initial proposal, the web contract terms and conditions, through to invoicing, credit card authorisation, technical specifications and lastly, the official handover and acceptance forms. Be sure to cover yourself both from an agreement point of view as well as from a legal perspective when taking on development work. Reduce the likelihood of non payment and disputes by difficult clients failing to pay or 'changing their minds' half way through a web project - be sure to use these documents and every job will be a success.

Here's what's in the pack:

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