As salespeople as well as designers, we often feel like we should be bowing to our client’s every need. We might especially do that in this economy, where it feels like a person has to scramble for every penny and pittance they can get. However, at times this can lead to wasting good time that can be put towards development work.

But what are the warning signs of a bad client that’s going to put us in a slippery position? Or maybe you’re really asking should I really go with this client, despite their demands? Let’s explore the types of problem clients, and how to explore them!

#1 Can I have my page for 1% of the market value, and have all the same cool things as everyone else?

I HOPE you’re saying no to this ad immediately. This client obviously has no respect for your work as a designer, to the point that they will not even budget enough for the project. And don’t expect them to. Web design is a newer field; many people do not realize, respect, or take into consideration that most decent designers which can deliver what they want attended several years of college, are trying to make a living off of what they do as well, and aren’t just eccentric artists or twelve year old kids trying to make a quick buck. We’re professionals. We’re adults. And the client who wants to undermine this isn’t going to respect that.

As an entrepreneur, you can, by all means, bid on this project, but I would suggest gauging the client’s reaction to your normal rate. If they still feel that’s too high, then I would strongly suggest looking elsewhere. Chances are, if they see the real market value of what you can offer, they’ll probably end up outsourcing the work – as unfortunate as that is.

#2 I want you to send me a prototype… For nothing.

I am of the belief that it is okay to provide the client with mockups before signing a contract provided they pay a decent portion of the projected cost of the project – of course, rough copies, not necessarily something that would be the final design, but enough to give them an idea of what you can deliver (or the alternative I usually pick, I provide them with links to sample designs I’ve done which fit their needs/desires).

If the client still wishes for you to provide them with a mockup, chances are they really just want a free design. It’s so easy to take that mockup you’ve presented them with, and then have a cheaper coder or designer come up with the final product, while you get nothing in return. The rule of thumb is that if they aren’t willing to pay you at least 10-50% of the final cost of the product, then don’t expect them to stick around to pay the rest.

#3 Why can’t you make me a full five-page site in a day?

Yup, I’ve actually had a client like this, and I dropped them like they were hot. If the client can’t respect that you have family and personal life obligations in addition to your freelance designer obligations, then they aren’t going to respect your opinion either in the rest of your interactions with them. I equate this to web designer slavery; they expect you to work on a design over the weekend, rather than respecting the fact that you may prefer to work weekdays.

Furthermore, a tight deadline like this doesn’t even give enough respect for the design process. Design is a process of critical thinking which takes time; great invention cannot happen in twenty-four hours. As most great designers know, the best designs begin off of the computer, not in Illustrator or Photoshop. I will also point out that this client probably procrastinated getting the work done – what else are they going to procrastinate? Paying you for your hours of blood and sweat?

#4 I don’t want you to take credit for this design.

I’m wary of any client or business which tells me that I’m not allowed to take credit for a design, even if I have to put a disclaimer of “I did this design while working for Joe’s Company.” I’m fine with putting a disclaimer, but if I’m not even allowed to show the design in my portfolio (providing free links), I grow suspicious of the intent of the client. While I don’t mind the extra check, I still don’t appreciate plagiarism. I generally put all of my time and effort into a design, and I appreciate it when that is respected.

Additionally, this gives the client a suspicious shadow when it comes to my interactions with them. I believe that the basis of business interactions is trust; if I can’t trust my client because I’m worried they’re going to steal my work, then how can I trust them to pay me, or to not get me in trouble legally?

Now, please note, if there are other legitimate concerns with the client not wanting me to display the design and they can show me that these are legitimate concerns, then I’m fine with it. But with no reason to support why they don’t want me to help promote their site or cause – that’s just fishy.

#5 Hi, sorry it’s been a month since I responded to your email…

While I’m understanding of clients which take a long time to respond to my initial quote for a project on the grounds that I’m sure they’re shopping around for the perfect designer for their project (that’s what I’d be doing!), I feel that all emails after that should be responded in a timely manner. A week is fine, two weeks is pushing it a bit, three weeks is completely ridiculous. At least tell me what needs to happen next – tell me if you need time to discuss it with the other people at your company, or tell me if you need some time to think or will be going out of town. This design is taking up my time, too.

Besides, what about other delays in the process – you know, like payment? Considering that I don’t like to design for free, a delay in payment is well… bad. Especially if I’m really counting on the check for my livelihood.

What’re your experiences with bad clients? I’m sure I haven’t covered everything that slippery clients do – share your experiences!