Your client has covid-19, now what…
In the mist of Covid-19 (Corona Virus), we at JDS WebDesign are hoping everyone is safe, washing your hands frequently, sneezing and coughing in your elbow, and practicing social distancing. Over the next several weeks, we are planning on blogging about how to make your website more business friendly. We will have some tutorials on our favorite plugins and features, which will make your site more efficient.
This has been a very long and at times difficult year. It has been a year of social distancing, wearing a face mask and no face to face meetings. Missing my friends and family a lot during the past year. This pandemic stinks. Business for the most part, has been very good. Many of my clients have had to pause projects and support programs, but some new clients have been onboarded. Life has been a blessing. That is until the other day, when one of my clients called to tell me that they had Covid-19.
The project was completed. We was just waiting for the final payment to launch the site. There were no final revisions. We had received all the assets (content and images). The only thing missing was the final payment and launching of the site. What was we to do?
Contractual
Per our contract, once we have the client to sign off on the design. Payment is due within 7 days. The client had signed off on the design. We reached out to the client on the 10th day to secured payment, and found out that the client had Covid-19. Contractual, we could have forward a final payment. We could have advised the client of our contract. However…
Morality
Would demanding final payment, be the right thing to do? We are trying to establish long term relationships. We are in a unique time, as this is a virus in the air. It does not sound like the client was irresponsible, and if they were…is it morally okay to demand the money. We have a morality clause in our mission statement, which reads that we reserved the right to deny any project based on our faith and morals. It also includes that we will treat all of our clients with respect.
Finally
Could we use the money? Yes. Would our doors closed without the money? No. What is the right thing to do? After a few minutes, we sent the client a get well card and fruit basket. Advised them that we would hold off on the launch for the next 3 weeks and follow up with them at that time. We received the payment in about 10 days, with a request to launch the site within the next 7 days. We launch the site the next day.
While having a contract is very important, sometimes doing the right thing is more important. The right thing was to hold off until the client was well. That is what we did?
Image is courtesy of Joshua Lawrence.
JDS WebDesign is a Web Design and Brand Marketing Agency located in Marietta, Georgia. We create AWESOME on line presence for Start-ups and Influential People/Organizations. To learn more about us or how we can help you and your organization, you can contact us or schedule a meeting.
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