Is this un-ethical?

suarve · 4 Feb 2010 at 15:55

Have just finished updating our company web portfolio and removed a few old designs from last year - as we've done some much better sites since then.

Have just recieved an email from a client whose site we decided to remove. Basically, they want to pay another £100 to be be 'featured' on our portfolio. Now I've never even thought of this and have always just selected the sites we like the most really and I get the impression the customer has got the wrong end of the spoke as our web portfolio isn;t some sort of affiliate scheme

Would it be totally un ethical to say 'sure, we'll feature you for another for £100'.

NB: the client is absolutely loaded, if that affects anything. :rolleyes:

GravyMonster · 4 Feb 2010 at 16:05

I wouldn't say it's unethical at all. It's advertising.

However, if you think the site is a bit gash and you don't really want it on your portfolio age, I wouldn't put it on there. At least not for £100

AJK · 4 Feb 2010 at 16:12

If it's going to harm your business having a "crap"/out of date/old fashioned/whatever design that you did ages ago highlighted prominently on your site... is that worth £100?

apatia77 · 4 Feb 2010 at 16:31

£100 is hardly anything for them and for you. Put the site you like the most or check with your management.

suarve · 4 Feb 2010 at 16:33

The sites not crap by any means, it's just that we've done a lot fresher looking stuff since

mrthingyx · 4 Feb 2010 at 16:35

Let them know that for an extra £X you can do them a new, better website and have them as a centrepiece...

£100 is great advertising for them and potentially damaging for your company.

suarve · 4 Feb 2010 at 16:43

All good points. Think I'm going to just say we selected only our newest sites

BFCTom · 4 Feb 2010 at 17:41

I wouldn't do it for £100.

£1000 maybe! It's not unethical at all imo.

Tripnologist · 4 Feb 2010 at 20:41

I'd push them for a design refresh at the least. They get to be in your portfolio along with having a better/more modern/whatever website and you get more money and a better piece for your portfolio.

Draeger · 4 Feb 2010 at 21:09

Tripnologist said:
I'd push them for a design refresh at the least. They get to be in your portfolio along with having a better/more modern/whatever website and you get more money and a better piece for your portfolio.

^^This. If they can understand and see the long term benefits, then it's a win/win for everyone. :cool:

fez · 4 Feb 2010 at 21:12

Yeah, just say that you like to feature your most recent work as it is representative of your current style, skills and clients. If they wish to have a freshly designed site then you will be happy to oblige for the normal rates. £100 isnt that much unless there is another site that looks worse than theirs.

nolimit · 4 Feb 2010 at 21:39

Check your Google Analytic or equivalent tool for number of visitors getting referred to their website.

It might not be worth having their link on your site for £100 if they have lower page rank then your site and you are loosing your visitors.

Charge them much more based on traffic.

mk17 · 5 Feb 2010 at 01:09

If you're talking ethics you should probably consider adding it as a "Sponsored" link in it's own section. At least your users would know it's paid for rather than selected on mere merit.