I'm feeling really frustrated right now. I developed three websites and a custom platform for a client, generating more than $15,000 in revenue for him just over the last year. The platform is stable, fast, and obviously effective at converting visitors. Recently, his annual renewal for hosting and maintenance came up—which is just a few hundred dollars—but he asked for a full rebranding quote. He said, 'I only need to change texts. If you charge too much, I'm going back to Wix.' This feels so dismissive because it's not just a text change; it's a complete rebranding, including UX adjustments and SEO migration, and I know the true value of my work.
Honestly, this stress is overwhelming. I'm tempted to just let him go and let him try Wix if he thinks it's better. However, I don't want to just hand over all my hard work and custom logic for nothing, especially after being treated this way.
What should I do? Should I just give him everything and walk away for my own peace of mind? Alternatively, can I strip the proprietary logic before he leaves, since he hasn't paid for the full ownership of it? I want to protect my work while avoiding being seen as the villain, but I also want him to understand that moving to Wix means losing everything I've built for him.
5 Answers
Without a contract, you have the advantage; they can’t really expect to have everything you created. If it’s done, they paid for it—but you're not obliged to hand over proprietary stuff if that wasn't part of the agreement. Sit back, relax, and if they come back, charge them extra for the trouble.
Honestly, you should let them go. If they’re that eager to move, they’ll likely come back in the future. Just keep a backup of the site because they might regret their decision and realize they need you after trying to manage things on their own. Plus, you can charge them more when they do come back.
For sure! I thought Wix was a complete package too, but they need to start fresh with a lot of stuff.
If you don’t have a written contract, it’s all a bit unclear. However, if you do have something that states they don't own any rights beyond using your service, you can politely tell them it's been nice working together, but good luck with Wix. Without a contract, you're in murky waters, so you might just want to hand over the keys and move on.
Yeah, I get that. Trusting someone without a contract can really backfire. It’s a tough lesson.
Don't mix emotions with business. Make a detailed list of what it takes to switch to Wix and outline potential issues that could arise. Let them make the call, but ensure they understand what they’re getting into. If they decide to proceed with minimal changes, that’s on them. Just keep it all professional; if you worked for hire, the work is technically theirs, whether they appreciate it or not. Accept what you charged at the time and let bygones be bygones.
Great point! Clear communication really is essential in these situations.
This is spot on. Next time, definitely get a contract!
Just let them chase after Wix and wish them luck! They might think they’re making a smart move, but they’ll likely be back when they realize the hassle involved.
Exactly! Wix isn't a walk in the park, especially for a full migration. They might just struggle and end up back at your door.