[Spex]

Hi there, I'm a low-level aspiring freelancer and I have one question that I can't seem to find an answer to.

Let's say I'm designing a site for ABC company. I have to do everything from registering a domain, to finding a host, to ultimately designing the site and making it live on the Net.

The question I have is what do I do when it comes to registering the site and hosting it? Do I use the Company's name in all the transactions? Do I ask them to give me their credit card number to sign them up for the various services?

English is not my first language, so if you require clarification on anything, please let me know.

In a nut shell, I'm asking if I should use my own credit card to get everything active, then change all the info once I transfer everything over to the client.

Thanks

[Tom_E]

Should have gone to Spex-Savers!

[Spex]

Thank you for your serious response, forgive me if I ignore you from now on

[cjgraphix]

It all depends... if you want to be the middle man for hosting than just register it all under your company and then send your client an invoice for it. Otherwise, set it up for them, with their information and don't think about it.

From personal experience, find a hosting company you like and have your clients sign up with them. If you are the middle man, than you have to deal with support issues, which can be costly in the long run.

[Spex]

Thanks CJ

[paper_box]

Transferring everything to them after you purchase everything will be a good choice. You save much time playing the waiting game when it comes down to the tiny bits. I bet the client will appreciate you doing that as well!

[Digital]

It depends but its probably better to sit with the client by the computer, let them choose the domain and ask for their credit card and register everything while they are there... But if business grows and more serious deals and clients come then perhaps it is better to have them fill out a form with the domain and features they want, have them sign an agreement and then purchase domain and everything with your card, finish the site and then bill them with an invoice. Usually its good to have a deposit or half/part of the payment made in beginning then the rest when project is complete...

[Spex]

Thanks again for all your help guys. I'm really impressed by this(these) forums.

[pgo]

Generally, they want to be in control of their own stuff (or should). That means they should register their own domain and procure hosting. You can, of course, help them in these tasks as part of your contract price!

[Snazzbum]

They either register it all themselves, though I will help and advise by email/phone/im etc if they need it (some need a lot of hand holding though so be careful of that - you can spend hours just helping them register a domain with a few), or if they want me to do it yes they have to give me their credit card number to do it - it's all theirs once it's registered though of course they an always come back to me for more help and advice (not always charged - sometimes it's just good CS and PR)

[roo]

You could be the middleman and put a small markup on it for your time in handling it all - could keep a regular income coming in if you get enough... also, you could even get your own virtual server and shift it all to that eventually if you got enough clients on board.