Retrieving Website Content From Client Slow To Submit It

Business
1

Hi

I have taken on a project and I am having trouble retrieving content from the client. Content for all the information pages and products for the website.

I have emailed him straight forward questions in point form with no response. I also let him know what I needed. Now I am creating an excel sheet for him to fill up that way it is as straight forward as possible. Basically the project is at a halt until I can collect this content from him.

Anyone has run into similar problems? Any suggestions?

2

I don’t understand the question. Most companies can start and finish a CMS before they even know the name of the client, let alone figure out what that content management system was supposed to accomplish.

As you may have some odd approach, like content driven design, start with 37signals “Getting Real” design tip: Just say no to Lorem Ipsum

That would be like an article or blog entry explaining how things get done.

Another tip you can contemplate: Annoyance based pricing.

3

Our website development process is broken into 3 parts: Sitemap Phase, Design Phase and Programming Phase. Once the client has approved the sitemap they have the roadmap for all the content needed in the site. While we are in the Design Phase, they can be putting their content together.

If they don’t have their content in to you by the end of the Design Phase do not start the programming phase. As Shyflower said, the client is responsible for holding up their end of the deadlines. Give them a reminder that they are pushing the timeline out and you’ll have to reschedule them if they don’t get their content to you. The site launch is dependent on both parties participating in the process.

Additionally you could just program the site without the content in it and add placeholders where needed. If they still don’t provide content, send them the final bill. You can’t let them string you out too long. If you do your AR’s will be measured in months, not days. That’s very bad for cash flow.

4

Yes, here’s a suggestion:

Next time (too late for this time) put a clause in your contract about prompt response and deadlines. They work both ways.

For this time, if he hasn’t asked you to make a spread sheet to ask him the questions you have already asked, don’t make it. Spend your time in more profitable ways.

Write him a short note and tell him that your schedule is filling up and while you would like to keep his project as a top-priority, you won’t be able to do that unless you have his information within the next three business days. If that doesn’t do the trick, table his project and find a better client.

5

I am not sure how I can start and finish the site without knowing the name of the company?

It’s a template. You build it from scratch. But essentially it has, tops, three things the client picked, like a stock photo, an absolutely meaningless slogan, and some search engine spam keywords. Essentially you scrape an article, do a search and replace three months after the check clears, and fill in any little details like the company name from the check.

I just need the “real” products and content to put in the pages now.

I really don’t understand this word “real.” Is this for an offline project? Then it makes sense.

Let’s say you have, like, an electric blanket. You google and scrape joe average, generic electric blanket. Features might mesh, might not. Job done. What’s the problem?

Worst case you hire a third worlder at $1 per month to do a English-as-second-language atrocity. Then you fix it with search engine spam and link farming. (A.K.A. “Best Practices”)

I like the rates on the link you sent.

I took this as inspiration. Some alternatives:

Design: $X

Mind Reading: $75/hour

Political Analysis: $100/hour

Group Therapy: $120/hour

6

Thanks for your response.

I didn’t put a clause in the contract, but I did put in the proposal that he would have to provide me with this information. But it is a good idea to put it in the contract as well.

I really like the way you worded this. I might actually use it:

My schedule is filling up and while I would like to keep this project as a top-priority, I won’t be able to do that unless I have his information within the next three business days.

Thanks!

7
  • $150/hr Standard Rate
  • $200/hr if you want it NOW
  • $250/hr if you want to watch over my shoulder while I work
  • $300/hr if you want to help
  • $400/hr if you worked on it first

I like the rates on the link you sent.

I am not sure how I can start and finish the site without knowing the name of the company? Most of the design of the site is done. Pages are linkable, items layout is done. I just need the “real” products and content to put in the pages now. Sure there will be some editing to do once I get the content but I would only be able to tell once I receive it.