pfmarconi wrote:

 

1. Having tested it on different browsers should  I simply hand over the code and images etc for the owner to upload himself.

 

2. Upload it and make absolutely sure there are no flaws in the different displays, then hand over the code etc. This may mean the owner having to physically be by me to buy the domain and hosting, sorting out his passwords etc so he has total control.

 

3. Retain the code etc and ask the owner to pay for his own domain / hosting then pass onto me the login details, so that I can access the site should I be asked to.

 

Many thanks for any help.

 

PFM

Typically I think you are better off recommending registrars and hosting and leaving that with the client.  No need to get caught up in that, unless you want to do the initial setup.  As far as your points are concerned.

1.  I wouldn't recommend this.

2.  If you are uploading to your own test server for them to see, then figure out the rest, that is ok.  If you are uploading to a live server to test, I wouldn't recommend it, except for a final stage of testing.  Then leave them with the site online at their account and move on.

Don't be afraid to ask for the money up front.  Domains and web hosting are cheap so I wouldn't bother making your profits there, make them in the design and/or programming.  That's what they want you for.

And retain a copy of the code just for your records and in case the client comes back 1 week later and says, "I messed it up".  Then you can just do a quick upload and it's not a problem.

I resell hosting but,as the previous poster says, it is not exactly a money maker so I just tell clients that I can provide the domain registration and hosting, for a price, or I would be glad to upload to a host that they contract on their own. I tell them that I will just need to have a username and password for ftp upload and the ftp url, which is generally but not always just the web address. Many do not feel comfortable setting up the hosting & domain themselves and are glad to pay me to do it. Others go ahead and get it themselves.

The only problem I have had is where a client was just using the free hosting provided with their email service. the hosting level was so basic that it did not even support php. So if you are designing a site to be hosted at  the clients hosting you need to make sure that the features you design do not exceed the hosting level capabilities.