Earlier today, I received a phone call from a designer friend concerning a new client of ours. Our new client is having problems with their old web developer. Essentially it boils down to this: their old developer deleted their website and their hosting account which was also linked to their domain name registration. I hear about this sort of thing all of the time.
- Designer or developer gets mad at customer for whatever reason
- Designer or developer in turn deals harshly with customer
- Customer reacts in turn to designer or developer
- Designer or developer retaliates by deleting customer's website
It's just not pretty or professional (not to mention ethical).
Here's a little tip for you if you are in the web services industry: NEVER delete your customers website! It's sad that anyone needs to even discuss this.
Your customers come to you in the first place because they see you as the expert and are trusting you to take care of their online needs.
If the customer hasn't paid you, then suspend their hosting account. If you're upset with them, zip up their site and database files and send them on their merry way. Allow them to transfer their domain.
Your existing customers won't be left wondering what will happen to them if you get mad at them. AND, sure you will be doing something that will preserve and extend your good name, but more importantly you will be doing what is right.
