The client constantly requires consultations (free of charge), what to do?

Question

Work organization

At first, at the site development stage, the client was constantly tormented by questions about the site, the engine, and hosting. Moreover, it was clearly evident that he needed these answers just like that, for interest. The man is completely unaware of all this. Now, when the time has come for search engine optimization, the client generally got on his neck with the questions “why is it so, and why is it not, explain to me what you are doing, why you are doing it, how you are doing it ...”. When you try to refuse an answer, you get a bunch of cries like “I'm your client, I'm paying money! I want to know what's going on with my site!". Now all these conversations take about 2-3 hours a day. Naturally, during this time, no one thinks to pay anything. So I'm wondering, dear habra community, how do you react to such cases?

Answer 1

If the client is key and brings a lot of money, then endure and advise.
If not so important, then state that you do not provide training services. You need to pay extra for this option. Well, before you explained everything to him out of the kindness of your soul :)

Answer 2

Why not explain the whole situation to the client? Say that you do not have the opportunity to engage in free consultations, you do your own work and provide a report at the end of the month. Say that your consultations are paid and cost n$/hour, and if the client is satisfied with the amount, then the consultations will continue.
If you perform your duties well, then the client will either stop bothering you or agree to pay.

Answer 3

The life of the site is divided into several parts:
1) Development of the site
2) Maintenance of the site (filling with text, news, minor improvements)
3) Advertising / Promotion
4) Development of new features for the site that were not agreed initially
As I understand it, the client pays for 1 and 2, maybe 3.
If you're doing the job, then the client shouldn't care how you do it. If he wants to promote himself, let him read, go to conferences, re-read a mountain of articles.
He pays for your knowledge, and just giving away knowledge is not worth it.

Answer 4

Add to the price list "Extended consultation" - $ 100 / hour

Answer 5

We need to understand the execution mechanisms. Behind the "client" there may be a narrow-minded worker who meticulously fulfills the empty instructions of his own superiors.

Answer 6

Do not communicate with the client via ICQ.
This has long been proven and verified.
I have clients. With some foolishly, I began to communicate in ICQ. Some of them I communicate with only by mail. With those with whom I communicate only by mail, we solve a lot more issues in a week with less time. It is convenient for both them and me. Even if my field of work is different.
The main thing is that the client understands that if something happens, you will read the letter as quickly as possible.
In your case, this client will soon leave you. Passed, we know. I had a client on administration - I chewed everything up and explained it to him (a la, what the hell do I spend time on chmods and database dumps). Now I don't have it.

Answer 7

Well, you can directly say that you get money for the site (the time spent on creating the site), and not for consultations. Or think that you need to run somewhere ... (for example, milk a cow ... wash socks, etc.)

Answer 8

If you feel that you could be more productive and earn more during the time you spend consulting a client, you should stop free consultations or charge for them.
In general, such "support" is negotiated in advance when concluding a contract for the development of a resource.

Answer 9

give a link to this post. I think your client will understand what and how.
there are already enough comments to understand what and how.

Answer 10

Give out a certain number of free hours - the rest is for money.