When and How to Drop a Client

Here’s a scenario that may sound familiar:

You’ve got a great project with an exciting new client. You agree on the project scope, you get started, but then, suddenly, everything falls apart. You can’t seem to find common ground or a way forward, and your once-exciting new project is now on the rocks.

So how do you know when it’s time to move on from a client relationship that’s just not working out? And what’s the right way to do so while staying on relatively good terms with the people involved?

When to Say, “This isn’t Working Out.”

There are a variety of situations that might make you consider parting ways with a client. Let’s take a look at a few of the more common scenarios.

What you Offer isn’t What the Client Needs

A designer was working with someone they liked a lot. They extended the work they were doing together because they clicked personally. But eventually, they wandered into territory that the designer was grossly underqualified for and had no interest in pursuing. The client simply didn’t want to do that work anymore, but the designer couldn’t, in good conscience, continue getting paid to do something they weren’t good at. So the designer had to walk away and suggest that the client find someone else to help them. They were able to part ways on good terms.

The Client Changes the Agreement

We’ve seen this scenario end very well and very poorly.

For example, a freelancer was hired to do a specific task for an agreed-upon hourly rate. When the client discovered that the project was taking longer than anticipated, he suggested a rate that was half as much. Wanting to please her client and finish the project—and feeling responsible for the extra time it was taking—the freelancer agreed. In the end, she had undercut herself, got frustrated, and took it out on her client. It was a mess and it ended badly.

A different freelancer had a similar scenario. He provided his service and the deliverables as agreed. Then the client asked for more deliverables. He calmly and honestly explained that he’d have to do more work for the additional pieces, so he’d have to charge more. That client understood and said she’d use what she had for now, and they could arrange something else if she still needed more.

The Client is Art-Directing

A designer had come up with a few concepts for her client, and the client wasn’t super pleased with any of them. They finally chose one and then gave the designer a list of edits they wanted to make. She made some of the edits and advised against others based on her expertise as a professional designer. They argued, and she relented.

Sometimes you suck it up and just let bad design get birthed into the world. You just don’t publicize it in any way. As long as the client’s goals are being achieved, you’ve accomplished what they expected you to do.

But in this instance, the client’s goals weren’t being achieved, and the designer simply couldn’t put her name to the project.

You just Can’t Satisfy your Client

Legally, you only have to complete as many concepts as you’ve outlined in your contract. However, many designers would tell you that they’d give at least one extra, maybe two, as an act of good faith.

But, as you’ll know, after you’ve completed X number of unsatisfactory concepts, that client satisfaction is just not gonna happen. Something has misfired in your communications, and you are clearly not on the same page. Either you start from scratch and go back to the research phase, or you cut your losses. The path you choose depends on the overall tone of the project: If your client clearly doesn’t respect what you’re bringing to the table, it might be time to walk away.

What to do When You’ve Decided it’s Time to Move On

If you’ve examined your current client scenario and determined that you do in fact need to cut ties, make sure you’re covering each of these steps as you say goodbye:

1. Be Respectful

Never insult your clients. Even if they’ve insulted you. Remember: You are a professional; act like one.

2. Explain where you’re at in the Project and Offer Options for Proceeding

Be clear about where the project has stalled. For example: “The bid was $X, and you’ve paid a 50 percent deposit of that. We agreed on three concepts with up to two rounds of revisions. So far, I’ve completed five concepts and two rounds of revisions.”

You could offer two more concepts with stipulations for what communications you need from them, and they’d pay $Y more for those. This makes it clear that you’re not doing any additional work for free.

If they aren’t interested in that option, here’s your line: “I’m very sorry that things haven’t worked out. I always hope that I can meet my client’s needs.”

3. Just Explain that you’re Leaving, in the

Simplest Terms

Don’t blame and don’t take all of the responsibility. Use “I” language. “It’s become clear to me that this situation isn’t working out. We don’t seem to be finding common language to move forward, and I don’t feel like I’m going to be able to help you find a workable solution. I think now is a good time for you to pursue a different designer, who may be able to better meet your needs.”

4. Talk about Money

You have options here, too. You could tell them that you’re not charging for the second half of the payment, even though you put in more time than you’d bid for.

If they demand that you return their deposit, you can choose whether you’d like to relinquish a small part of it in good faith. But you should know that it probably won’t change their opinion of the way the project has gone.

If you’d rather not return any of the project’s deposit, here’s an alternative: Explain how many hours you’ve put in, clarify that it’s above and beyond what you bid for, and add a line about how you’ll let them determine what payment above the deposit amount they believe is fair.

This can be risky because you don’t know how they’ll react. But it’s also a statement. It definitely lets them know that you won’t be returning any of their deposit (which they shouldn’t ask for but sometimes do). It also reiterates that you’ve put real time and energy into this project.

How to Avoid Getting a Client to this Point

Obviously, it’s best to avoid having to fire a client. Here are three tips for setting yourself up for success in the first place.

1. Refine your Communication

Communication is the single most valuable asset in any relationship, including client relationships. So be open, honest, and humble. Ask questions along the way to make sure you’re all on the same page. “Let me check my understanding,” is a borrowed phrase that constantly comes in handy.

Consider that errors in communication might be your fault rather than immediately blaming your client. Were you as clear as possible? How can you improve clarity?

If you suck at communication, invest in a workshop or audit a college course, or seek out some coaching. This is a life skill that you need to excel at.

2. Get the Kinks in your Onboarding Process Worked Out

Your onboarding process will improve with time, but spend time and effort refining it—it’s worthwhile to have it in place and working.

3. Make sure your Contract is Clear

You’ve heard this a lot, but it bears repeating: Get a signed contract that clearly outlines your scope, the number of concepts you’ll provide, and the number of revisions your client can expect.

Your contract is the agreement you can come back to when you need to settle an argument (and it doesn’t hurt that it’s legally binding). But you need to bring it up tactfully, and you can’t keep playing the “contract card,” so reserve it for as long as possible.

With that in mind, you’ll be able to keep most of your clients happy and their projects moving forward smoothly. But when a project can’t be salvaged, and there’s little respect for your expertise, remember that sometimes it’s worth it to just cut your losses.

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Manage Client Conflict like a Boss

As a web designer, you want to push the limit with your designs in order to create something innovative for your clients. But clients can instinctively feel resistant to new ideas and trends, as the unfamiliar is scary and it’s very common to experience some conflict during a website design project.

While it may seem easier to stick with a “safe” design and avoid these client conflicts, it’s not worth it. By following a few steps before and during the design process, you can create out-of-the-box designs and that set up a win-win scenario with your clients.