15. How to keep your clients on track with your project timeline, by Cami MacNamara

Posted on WebCamiCafe.com on September 13, 2021

In this blog post, I discuss the challenges web designers face in keeping clients on track with project timelines and provides helpful tips for a smoother workflow.

About the author:

Cami MacNamara, otherwise known as WebCami, has 21 years of experience running a small, profitable, one-person web design business, so she can walk her dog whenever she likes. She has co-hosted a beginner WordPress Meetup in Seattle since 2018 and has been an active member of the Seattle WordPress community since 2013. Cami has designed nearly 600 websites, provides services to 350 active clients, and manages over 200 websites monthly as a solopreneur.

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Transcript of Cami's Commentary:

Keeping clients on track with project timelines can be challenging. It it rarely the case in my business that clients come to me with all their content ready, so I factor this into every estimate I provide. For larger website projects, I make sure I'm factoring in the time costs because larger projects bring more elements to manage within the project timeline.

Continuous communication with the client is crucial when working on a project. Email alone is not enough; it's always beneficial to have phone calls or video chats through platforms like Zoom. Let the client choose their preferred method of communication. This extra effort in communication can make a significant difference in delivering the project on time.

Finally, it's essential to establish a payment plan instead of expecting 50% payment upfront and the remaining 50% at project completion. If clients see automatic payments deducted from their checking account every 30 days, it can motivate them to gather their content promptly.

And if your the one that drops the ball, just admit it and get right back to work with the client. You might find out they needed the extra time anyway.