Hey everyone! I run a web agency, and I'm trying to understand how other agencies manage the offboarding process when a client decides to end their relationship with us. Here's the context:
- The websites we build are on WordPress.
- We commonly use premium themes or template kits from places like ThemeForest or Envato.
- The hosting is managed by our agency.
Now, when a client decides to leave, I have a few questions:
- What steps do you take to protect yourselves?
- Do you transfer the entire site (files and database) to the client, or do you keep ownership and just provide them with a license to use it?
- Is there a final buyout payment required to transfer ownership?
- What types of technical or contractual safeguards do you have in place?
- How do you manage the theme licenses if purchased by the agency?
- Have any of you faced disputes regarding these issues, and what solutions worked best?
I'm not looking for legal advice, just sharing real-world experiences and practices within the industry. Thanks in advance for the insights!
2 Answers
I think if you don't give the client full access to their website's code and database, it comes off as unprofessional, unless it's a custom SaaS setup. They should own it, but it's fair to ask them to purchase their own licenses for any premium themes. Just make sure that's clear upfront.
In my current experience, we have clients pay for all their licenses when we develop their sites, including themes and plugins. If a client decides to leave, we package everything up, including the database, and hand it over. It's straightforward, and they own the licenses since they paid for them.
Totally agree, holding onto the code without proper agreement feels wrong.