Client pays deposit for website, client disappears into thin air. This will be fun

Ask them a question. Think of something sensible to ask, that you need an answer to.

If they dont reply, you dont do any work :-)

Have same issue with work. Client has bought hosting. It's been up for >100 days and they've not even set up the DNS. All emails and calls get ignored. At least it's paid for I guess?

@spl0 will try that, paused dev work already

@DanBennett the bad part is when they come back with whole new requirements

yep got one now, payed half up front. site is finished all is needed is pictures for the content.

Luckily for you they left before you have them anything. Happened to me that the client took off the second I uploaded their website and they were supposed to pay the second half.

@yarwest that is horrible

We moved to phased payments at key milestones. 40 - 30 - 30 split. That way you don't end up doing 100% of the work for 50% of the money and you don't progress until you get feedback - and payment - at each stage. So for websites: 40% deposit gets them to initiation, planning, set up and content insertion. 30% concept / styling. 30% final fixes, launch and post launch stuffs. (Analytics, seo submissions etc)