This could be a problem that others may not be having, however, most of the leads coming to me in the past few months have been Site Optimizations/Site Tweaks. I have worked quite a few of them and the problem that I am having is that these Site Tweaks paying $250-$400 are ending up being much more than just tweaks. Before I know it, I have completely rebuilt their entire website, a job that I would have charged $1000+.
I find it very difficult to open up a Wix site designed by a client, put a band aid on their noted problem and just walk away leaving it a design disaster. After quoting a price to address their issues that turn out to be much bigger than they even knew, it is very difficult for me to say that my original price quote has tripled.
Can I get some feedback as to how others are handling these Site Optimizations jobs? And why I am receiving so many with very few full website design jobs?
Hi Michelle! Thanks for sharing this with us … I’m sure a lot of us want to make sure clients walk away with a beautiful, fully functional site and it’s hard to leave things as is when we know they could be better It’s definitely a tricky situation though! I’m curious as to what solutions others have come up with in order to align the work they’ve put in to the total price the client pays in the end.
Hi! Why don’t you offer the client two options at the starting of the project?
Full site tweaks.
Partial site tweaks.
If the client chooses a partial site tweaks, do only the agreed amount of work. If the client asks to implement additional functionality, then you can refer to option 1 and partially revise the budget.
There is a third option. Don’t take sites for revision and correction
Personally, I choose this option and now I have no problems with clients.
I’ve been getting those site optimization / tweeks leads too, Michelle. Has me thinking that the term is misunderstood by most people, or that it means something different to clients than it means to us. Most of the time I decline them without much thought when the business is not something I’m familiar with. Occasionally I’ll respond to the lead, tell them my hourly and the required 3-5 hour retainer to start if they mean just adding/deleting content and photos, and tell them that more than this is likely to require a site redesign, for which their budget is too low.
But I just had a guy this morning respond to that saying he wants to work with me and is willing to pay more to get professional help.
I’m finding a lot of these site optimization leads haven’t published their site, which makes assessing the work it’s likely to require in advance of responding and sending a cogent response impossible. I tend to reject those immediately unless intuition suggests otherwise.
I think I am beginning to see why I am receiving so many Site Optimizations. Most everyone else is turning them down, so they are sending them to me.
Well, this is a catch 22, because someone needs to help these Wix customers. We advertise Wix as a DIY but for most, it isn’t. And when they get in there and get stuck or don’t like the outcome, Site Optimization is where they go. I think what may help drill it down is to include in the Site Optimization choice, check boxes where they will have to better describe their needs. Example:
I have started designing my website.
If you have not already done so, please publish your website. The link to your website will be requested below.
Note: If you have not started your website, please change your selection and choose; Get a new website.
I am requesting an Experts help because: (Please check all that apply)
Here we will list the major issues that customers are listing that they need help in checkbox format.
There should also be a final box that says "so that we can direct you to the correct expert, please describe any other assistance that you require that was not addressed in the check boxes above.
Then a disclaimer: Please note that while we have listed a price range for this service, once our expert has reviewed your request, the prices could be more or less depending on what they find when they review your website.
Lastly, please make telephone number a requirement.
This is just thinking off the top of my head, but the attempt is to get a better understanding of what is going to be required of the job before we accept the job with a price that does not cover the work that needs to be invested.
One last thing, please either give experts access to everything that we will need to complete a website set-up. If this cannot be done, then let the customers know that in order to complete the connection of your website to the internet and it may be necessary for our expert to require your Wix Login information as well as the login to the business that host your domain name. You will be advised accordingly if needed.
It is so uncomfortable for me to ask someone who I do not know and who does not know me, for their passwords. For warning would make it a lot easier.
Great topic idea! I agree. I have to be honest. I have worked on some “hot mess” sites and left them just like they are. All I did is what was asked/paid for. The site looks like trash but the owner is making that cash.
Good point! I never thought to offer both. I usually just offer my full quote (well above their stated budget) because the “tweaks” are never what they think. I like the idea of offering either or.
It’s definitely a tricky situation though! I’m curious as to what solutions others have come up with in order to align the work they’ve put in to the total price the client pays in the end. 
