I'm in a tough spot with a project I'm working on. We started a while ago and are about 50% through, but the client has ghosted me after paying the initial deposit. They haven't settled the second payment, which is due now. I sent the second invoice when it was time to approve the content, but since then, I've had no response at all. This has been ongoing since April. I know them personally through previous work in the organization, and it's frustrating to be ignored. It seems like they may be in a financial bind, but I can't be sure.
Currently, I have a half-completed website, a temporary landing page, and email accounts set up, all thanks to the hosting I provided, which includes a year's service. However, I'm going to hit them with the bill for the second year soon. Given that they have outstanding invoices, my policy means I can't extend further services until I get paid. I'm also considering whether I should take down their temporary site since that will definitely affect their business operations. Any advice would be appreciated!
5 Answers
I had a client who went silent too, even after I delivered a lot of work. I followed up regularly but ultimately had to stop emailing and just moved on. Imagine my surprise when they finally reached out a year later! Sometimes it just takes time for people to get their priorities straight. Make sure you’re covered contractually for situations like this, and don’t hesitate to enforce your terms when it comes to payment.
This is why I always include milestone approvals in my contracts. If a client doesn’t respond, I pause the project, chase them maybe three times over a few weeks, and then move their project down the queue if I need to. I’ve disabled access to staging sites in the past to get their attention, too. If a year goes by, honestly, I just consider it dropped. Hope it gets sorted out for you!
I feel your frustration! I usually pause work once I know payments are overdue. It’s vital to stick to your terms, and if it’s been a year, sending a deadline for payment is a good idea. Turn off that temp landing page if you don’t hear back, it might motivate them to respond. Good luck!
It's pretty standard practice to pause the project until you receive payment. You should definitely send a polite reminder about the outstanding invoice, and reinforce your contract's payment terms. If they still don’t respond, consider taking down the temp site, as that could prompt them to reach out. You shouldn't extend any credit until they settle their current debt.
I've dealt with similar situations before. It usually makes sense to stop any ongoing work until the client pays what's due. It's tough but sometimes a little pressure helps get their attention. If you've reached out multiple times without a response, a straightforward message referencing your contract might be the next step. And yes, temporarily disabling their accounts could be a necessary move if they’re unresponsive.
Thanks for sharing! It’s good to know I’m not alone in this. I think I might have to pause things, too, as it’s been too long without hearing from them.
That's really interesting! I guess you're right; sometimes things just get busy. I should keep my expectations in check and stick to my contract.