who would buy domain? client or myself?

[ecolodge]

I am just starting out as a freelance designer and I need to know exactly the process of buying a domain and hosting for a client.

Basically, do I buy the client the domain with my own money as well as the hosting and charge them the cost of that in the overall invoice? Or do I let them buy the domain and hosting with their money and I just design the site and get it up going?

Would like to hear previous experiences with either way! Oh, and wondering if after you design the site do freelancers usually contribute to site maintenance for a period of time? One more, if the client is completely computer illiterate, does the freelancer then act as a webmaster and update the site as needed or try to teach the client on how to update their site?

Thanks in advance!

[KDLA]

I prefer to handle the designing separately, and have them deal with the domain/web hosting purchasing. That way, if they turn out to be "bad" clients, I don't get stuck with those additional bills.

Rarely do clients want to maintain their site; they'll want you to do it. And, unless you've got the site set up in CMS, don't try to teach them to update it. They'll only screw it up. :D

I charge on a month-to-month basis, billing at the completion of each month's projects (rather than in advance).

KDLA

[ecolodge]

maybe ill try to use CMS's for most of my clients, since I really dont want to be bothered by them again unless they want a redesign. thanks for the info... cleared up a few things.

btw, is there a certain CMS like Joomla, Drupal, etc. thats easier for a client to understand the backend into managing their content?

[sae]

Joomla seems to be popular but I have no experience with it. You might have to disable certain features as by default they may have access to screw stuff up that you wouldn't want them to.

[webfinity]

I buy the domain and register it in my name until final payment is received. After that I transfer ownership to the client.