Should You Pay For Your Clients' Site Subscription? | Squarespace Question Answered
When it comes to web design and development, there are a lot of questions that can come up for both freelancers and clients. One question that often arises is whether or not the freelancer should pay for their client's site subscription.
It may be tough to accept a contract, inform clients about your costs, and ask them to pay for the website separately. The majority of people aren't aware of how to make it work. It's critical that you feel comfortable working with a customer and providing clear communication if you want things to go smoothly.
In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of this situation and help you make the best decision for you and your client.
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Paying for Your Client's Site Subscription
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The simple answer to this is: no. You should not pay for your client's site subscription. As a freelancer, you are providing a service, and it is up to the client to cover the costs associated with that service. This includes the cost of the website subscription.
A few reasons why you should not pay for your client's site subscription are:
The first and most important thing to understand is that Squarespace will save your credit card information on their account, which means they can charge anything that Squarespace offers to the card on file. And this is a big no-no. Why? Because you're a freelancer, so, you should not be footing the bill for anything related to the website including the site subscription.
Second, it sets a bad precedent. If you start paying for your clients' site subscriptions, they may start expecting this from you for every project you work on together. This can quickly add up and become a burden on your business.
Third, it's important to maintain clear boundaries with your clients. By paying for their site subscription, you're blurring the lines between freelancer and client, and this can lead to confusion and misunderstandings down the road.
Fourth, Squarespace's billing system will automatically renew every month or year, regardless of the plan. On your credit card. And this isn't a good approach to develop a healthy client relationship. You don't want to have to contact them in a few days, weeks, months, or years to ask them to change their card.
The Better Alternate
The better alternative is to have your client pay for the subscription. This way, they are directly responsible for the costs associated with the website, and you don't have to worry about any billing misunderstandings.
There are a few ways to go about this:
From the beginning of the project, you should check whether or not the client has said anything about how they would pay for the website. Most clients realize this, but if they don't, they'll ask and you'll clarify right away.
If you're asked, "How much will it cost to design the website? Is there any other cost I need to be aware of?". You'll reply with, "Yes, there is one other cost that your will need to cover. The monthly subscription for Squarespace, which is $XX a month."
Invoicing clients after the project is complete is another option. You can invoice them for the full cost of the website, including the site subscription. This way, they're clear on what they're paying for and you're covered in case there are any billing disputes in the future.
The best way to approach this is to be upfront and honest with your clients from the beginning. Let them know that you will not be paying for their site subscription and explain why. This will help to build trust and transparency between you and your clients.
Requesting Final Payment
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Let's say you've reached the point in the process where you're ready to go live with the client before handing back and gaining access to the website. This is the part of the transaction where you demand final payment from the client since you will give them complete ownership of the web. That way, when you hand it over to them, there's no question of payment outstanding.
The way you frame this to the client is important, too. You don't want it to seem like you're doing them a favor by handing over the website. It should be clear that this is the final part of the project and payment for your services is now due in full.
They'll put their card information in, you can do it over the phone or any other way. You can also provide YouTube walkthroughs to set up billing and get them through the process.
One effective tactic is to let them know what they need to sign up for and when. Developing a custom business plan for them also can get the project done. The subscription can be canceled at any time and you still will have a strong relationship with your client.
Conclusion
Remember, never consider paying for a client's subscription using your card. And always demand final payment before handing over the website to avoid any question of payment. It will help you maintain healthy boundaries with your clients, and protect your business in case of any billing disputes in the future.
