Custom Design Work - Pet Peeve

[lordbyroniv]

I have a designer building websites for me and the gentleman always adds a footer on the home page with a link to his design website. My website are usually high end travel sites and I think it is inappropriate to put a non-relevant link on my home page to a web design company

I don't know how to approach the designer and ask him to remove it. Any advice ? I could always go in and remove in myself but I am afraid the designer when doing maintenance on my site may see what I have done and he will be pissed

But its my site, right ?

 

[Johnn]

Do you have any written contract? Read over if you do.
Otherwise call and tell him that you prefer the link to be removed.

 

[lordbyroniv]

Do you have any written contract? Read over if you do.
Otherwise call and tell him that you prefer the link to be removed.

I don't look at it as a legal matter

But your point is well taken - I will just ask to have it removed

I hate confrontation with people I like :disappointed:

 

[Johnn]

Most web designers do add their links to the footer as a way to advertise.
Just call them (no need to confront) and ask to remove the link. I don't see it is a big problem.

 

[Pluto459]

I have had designers do the same and usually its because they are working really cheap and just want the link to advertise. I had them blend the link in so its there, but you have to look for it.

I am guessing since the site is high end you are paying well for the sites and I would ask him to remove it and see what he says, but be prepared if you piss him off and he wont do your sites anymore.

 

[liberator]

A nice alternative to asking them to remove the link is offer to have them on the "about us" page, or contact page.

 

[DNBA]

as a designer/developer and im taking over someones mess. i kindly ask the client if its ok to add the link in a less conspicuous place. otherwise as a client you have full rights to have anything removed. its not going to hurt anyones feelings but they should understand its not professional to add it without any agreement.

or you can change it to webmaster and not the company name.

 

[cleverlyslick]

if you enjoy doing business with him and don't want any bad vibes between you guys why don't you offer to pay to take it off? i know it's a pussy way out being that it's your site and all but to avoid problems sometimes it's good to try to find a neutral solution to keep then tension at a minimal.but after that make sure that he understands that you don't want that on any site he designs for you period.

 

[lordbyroniv]

On one hand, this designer does excellent work and I really don't want to sour the relationship, especially since he has always been accomodating to my needs

On the other hand, I am slightly miffed that he put the link on w/o even asking me - is that standard ? or usually wouldnt a designer ask permission first ?

or are there no rules of edict that govern this topic ?

 

[gafadi]

i have also done same 2-4 times, the client 3 time removed it by themselves and 1 client didnt remove it , but clients have right to remove it because they paid to make that web

 

[james2002]

You paid for the web designs. Right? In that case, should not be reluctant to tell the designer to remove the link off.

 

[Gerry]

In addition to all the wonderful advice stated above, take matters into your own hands by doing your own sites.

As difficult and hard as it may seem, I see it to the only alternative to all of these issues.

I am learning Joomla.

I have heard nothing but praise for XsitePro from Johnn and others on other forums for the ease of getting sites up.

Many others have taught themselves WordPress.

I hardly have time to do this with such a pile of domains, but each time it gets easier and easier. And there is tremendous satisfaction in doing it yourself and seeing your site actually making money because YOU monitized it correctly and did not rely on a parking company.

I depend on no outside sources for graphics, content, or influence. Planning and execution is the key. No matter what route you choose to go.

 

[BELLC1]

Ask him to change it to an affiliate link so you can both make money for the referrals.

 

[Wire]

You paid your money and he put in his link. However you can ask him to remove it - he won't be offended, just ask him what else would work for him that isn't so obvious. In the old days we used to put our backlink in the html header code where only other webmasters could see it. He doesn't want to lose you as a client so he'll find a way to work around the issue with you. All he wants is due credit somewhere but this doesn't have to be such an obvious footer. Creative webmasters always have creative solutions for this type of stuff. Even a nice blurb on the ABOUT page is good enough.

 

[jdk]

Most designers add their link on the site because most know their clients are not saavy and it will stay. Personally, I ask them to remove it if it is on the images themselves. If its in the coding, I will remove it myself.

You just have to see if there is some kind of agreement stating the link has to stay. Most do not have this in their agreement because you are paying for a service to design the layouts for you. If anything you should charge them to advertise their link on your site