Too many times, we have had contracts that involve populating with content without the content.
What I mean is, we are done the rest of the job, and waiting on the client for the copy.

I have seen 3 to 7 days pass waiting to get copy from a client to get the job completed on time,
and many times waiting so long, that the completion date has past and needs to be rescheduled,as mentioned in our contract.
When I job is taken on by Verve Development, the project is put into a schedule, and worked in and out to fit smoothly in with other projects as not to overload our developers.

The schedule

A schedule is set for every project and gone over with, with the client.
If a client starts running behind on getting us content, images and such, it starts to bleed into other scheduled projects, which then starts a nasty wheel of playing the ‘catch up’ game.

We give a very fair amount of time for the client to gather information that we need to complete the project,
and all too often, it’s the client that contacts you tomorrow with the copy but complains that the job should have
been done yesturday. When we take on projects, right from the beginning, we ask that all copy,
navigation structure, images, etc, be gathered and ready to be passed to us. Again though, all too often
the client does not follow through and it forces us to reschedule around other projects.

Read the contract

We understand that sometimes there is going to be a delay, from unforeseen or uncontrollable situations,
on the client’s side and the developer’s side. For this reason, we have a section covered in our contract for this,
under Section 5 – Notice of Delay.

To try to keep the flow going, we refer to section 6.4 – Client Deliverables, yes, this would be the section that
covers the deliverables from the client to the developers, such as the long awaited content and menu structure
in so many cases.

To make sure we keep everyone on track, we also have section 6.5 – Timing for development of the
final website.
Again, I stress, everything is put into a schedule, so things like running around at the last minute gathering
your content and figuring out your navigation is a bad idea, for everyone.

This experience, over and over again, has driven me to write this little ‘tidbit’ and make up a quick list
(giving and taking what each project entails) of what a client should have together to help keep the
development of the site as smooth as possible.

• Logo with source file if possible
• Any images needed in the design
• Source files of templates and images if possible
• Menu structure and page names
• Content for all pages
• Contact information
• Payment gateway information if its an ecommerce project
• Shipping account information if its an ecommerce project
• Tax information if its an ecommerce project
• Logins to ftp, CPanel, plesk and admins of any 3rd party applications that might be already be installed
• Copy of any third party of application involved if purchased
• Alternative email if required

That sums it up for now, thanks for listening.

Remember, if you become a client if Verve Developments, please, read your contract.