Is this a red flag? "Are you expecting me to give you access to the back end?"

[coerdelion]

So, I’ve been to-ing and fro-ing with this prospective client about installing a membership site and various other things on their website … and today got a message asking “are you expecting me to give you access to the back end?”

Since this has already taken the best part of a month, I was already thinking about suggesting the buyer go elsewhere.

Wonder what her answer will be …

[vickiespencer]

So, I’ve been to-ing and fro-ing with this prospective client about installing a membership site and various other things on their website … and today got a message asking “are you expecting me to give you access to the back end?”

Since this has already taken the best part of a month, I was already thinking about suggesting the buyer go elsewhere.

Wonder what her answer will be …

and today got a message asking “are you expecting me to give you access to the back end?”

Well, do you need access to the backend? (I am not even sure what that is? :thinking:)

And what did you tell her?

[lloydsolutions]

and today got a message asking “are you expecting me to give you access to the back end?”

Well, do you need access to the backend? (I am not even sure what that is? :thinking:)

And what did you tell her?

(I am not even sure what that is? :thinking:)

Neither am I. Perhaps you could explain.

[coerdelion]

[grin] A website has a front end - the bit you can see when you visit it - and a back end, where all the interesting techy stuff goes on … like installing a membership, for example …

I told her that, yes, I would need access to the back end of the website in order to do all the things she says she wants.

She was like “oh” … :🤨

[cyaxrex]

I’ve been toying with the idea of going into web design with a simple “i will create this blog for you” kind of gig. I wouldn’t do anything custom. I’d just install a copy of my pretty nice looking blog on a server and customize the site identity, color scheme, etc.

Sadly, I’m too terrified of someone without a brain ordering. Some writing and video clients are bad enough. I have a video dig which states I do not accept scripts and do not provide voice overs. I got an order today from someone saying, I know you said don’t provide a script but I’m sending one anyway and would like a female voice over.

At present, I’ve decided to just deliver with my best chain-smoking girly voice impression. After all, they didn’t say they wanted a good voice over… 😉

[misscrystal]

I wouldn’t waste a month going back and forth with anyone for any amount of money. And if the person doesn’t know you need access to the back end you are dealing with someone too ignorant of how sites operate to work with. The idea is to head off problems, not welcome them.

[coerdelion]

You know what @misscrystal - sometimes I go back and forth with these people for a while … and begin to ask: what would misscrystal do? The answer is : refuse and block …

When you’re working on the back end of a site, a certain amount of back and forth is required to understand exactly what they want … but,yes, I’m beginning to think that “doing a misscrystal” is probably appropriate …

[coerdelion]

@cyaxrex - yes, those kind of “brochure sites” are very popular at the moment. However, getting content out of the people who want them can be a major headache and cause for much swearing …

[nikavoice]

[grin] A website has a front end - the bit you can see when you visit it - and a back end, where all the interesting techy stuff goes on … like installing a membership, for example …

I told her that, yes, I would need access to the back end of the website in order to do all the things she says she wants.

She was like “oh” … :🤨

I told her that, yes, I would need access to the back end of the website in order to do all the things she says she wants.

She was like “oh” … :🤨

It sounds as if she doesn’t trust you, or anybody for that matter. Tinkering with her backend. Yikes! That didn’t sound good! 😅 Anyway, maybe show her some of the work you’ve done for other Clients to make her feel at ease. Otherwise, you can’t complete the job, if you don’t have access to her backend.

[misscrystal]

That’s such an obvious and basic thing, it shows a complete lack of knowledge on her part. I’m no expert but even I know he would need access. So yes that is a red flag that should not be ignored.