Need end of website gift/card suggestions

[rafiki55]

What do you do/give to a client after you finish designing / launching a website for them?

I'm thinking a well designed thank you card. Is that enough or add a small gift?

Any suggestions?

[johntabita]

I'm not sure why a card or gift would be appropriate. They've paid you in exchange for the development of their website. What exactly are you thanking them for?

[Shotsy247]

I don't think a simple thank you card would be out of order. Although, I would create an online card that could showcase your compnaies talents and perhaps inspire them to hire you for more projects. Have the card show them things you could do for them, that they haven't even thought of.

_t

[johntabita]

I'd suggest a congratulations card rather than a thank you card. IMO, at this point, the time for "thank you's" is long past.

This also is a good stage to continue building the relationship. You can do a follow-up meeting to wrap up the project. Ask your client questions such as, "What was the best/worst thing about working with me?" Assuming your client was satified with you, all of this is leading up to asking for a testimonial and/or a referral. Here's an article that talks about surveying your customers to determine which ones are most satified and will actively refer you.

[Shotsy247]

A congratulations e-card is a nice touch. Good thinking John. Although I'm still not sure why you are so against thank you's. There is nothing wrong with thanking someone for doing business with you.

I agree that whether it was done with a congratulations or thank you it would really be an excuse to further the business relationship and solicit materials that you could use to your advantage.

Of course this does all depend on how happy the person was with your work. If they were not happy, I wouldn't thank them or say congratulations. I would stay far away. Don't poke the mad lion.

_t

[johntabita]

A congratulations e-card is a nice touch. Good thinking John. Although I'm still not sure why you are so against thank you's. There is nothing wrong with thanking someone for doing business with you.

I guess I am a bit adverse to it. Here's why: I'm of the opinion that clients ought view you as an equal. By sending a card, thanking someone for doing business with you, what you're saying is, "Thank you for allowing me to work for you." I'm sure many people will disagree, but, IMO, it sends the subtle message that they did you a favor by hiring you, and that you need them more than they need you. But in a relationship of equals, each party benefits equally. The client benefits from my services and I benefit by being paid to provide that service.

What I prefer to focus on is, not the business itself, but the relationship. I do send cards, but I tend to express appreciation rather than thank you's. I'll write that I enjoyed working with them, getting to know them, etc. Thank you cards are appropriate when someone does you a favor, but someone paying you for work performed is not a favor, so why act like it's one?

[Shotsy247]

I like your idea of the congratulations card. It's a great way to get the client excited about the work you have done and further the relationship.

I disagree that a business relationship ought to be viewed as equal. Very rarely are business relationships equal. If you are the hottest talent in town and have more clients than you know what to do with, you will be treated in a special manner by your clients, and you would expect this special treatment. Adversely, if a client had a huge project with deep pockets, they would be given special attention.

For example, when big clients come in for a session, we always put out a nice spread of pastries and coffee for them. However, when we go into their offices for whatever reason, there is no spread of pastries and we wouldn't expect there to be.

While I don't think the client expects pastries and if there were none, I doubt they would storm out, the pastries make them feel special and help to assure that they enjoy working with us. After all not only do we provide top notch product, they are always put in a comfortable atmosphere where their needs are attended to.

To thank or not to thank should be decided on a case by case basis. If the thank you card would advance the business relationship further than a congratulations card, it is in order. By setting out pastries or sending a thank you we aren't groveling at the feet of our clients, we are simply trying to make them feel special. If that gets us more business, then that's the way to go.

_t

[johntabita]

I disagree that a business relationship ought to be viewed as equal. Very rarely are business relationships equal. If you are the hottest talent in town and have more clients than you know what to do with, you will be treated in a special manner by your clients, and you would expect this special treatment. Adversely, if a client had a huge project with deep pockets, they would be given special attention.

Like I said, not everyone will agree with me. I'm just repeating what I've learned and put into practice from some top sales professionals. (I figure they probably know a bit more than me on the topic.) It's not about clients giving you special treatment. It's simply that they treat you as an equal, not a subordinate. They value you as much as you value them.

As for it being "rare," IMO, it's only as "rare" as you allow it to be. So for me, it's the norm, not rare at all.