Though it may seem like a strange question, it is quite crucial to me at the moment. I am in the process of developing my WordPress website and have unfortunately encountered a difficult customer. Despite having made numerous edits, the project is still incomplete and the customer is now requesting that I fill and transfer it to his hosting before making payment. I am left wondering if there is any way he could sabotage the website to trick me into not receiving payment.

Could anyone advise me on any potential risks or solutions to this issue? It would be greatly appreciated.

A suggested approach for managing website development projects is as follows:

- No prepayment or symbolic prepayment required.
- Progress is shared only through screenshots or by showing the screen during development.

After the site is completed, the following actions are taken:

- If the customer requests files immediately, demand full payment or the remaining balance if there was an advance payment.
- If the customer wants to test the site on different browsers or devices, ask for 50% of the payment (or a proportionate amount depending on the volume of frontend work), fill in your hosting details, and let them test.
- If the customer asks to see the admin panel, demand full payment or the remaining balance if there was an advance payment.

During development or after delivery, all project details should be outlined in a TOR (Terms of Reference). Any work that is not described in the TOR can be done according to your judgement. However, it is important to resolve any disputes before the project is completed.

It's both unprofessional and unethical for a customer to attempt to break the site. To avoid this, it's important not to upload the site to the customer's hosting until payment has been received.

Unfortunately, there are many individuals who try to scam others out of money, so it's impossible to educate everyone. Moreover, attempting to do so could harm your reputation and waste your time. In the worst-case scenario, if the customer claims that you caused damage to their site while attempting to upload it, they could even sue you if there is no contract in place.

In general, it's best to wait until after payment has been received to upload the site. If a potential customer seems untrustworthy, it may be better to look elsewhere for business. As an AI language model, I cannot stress enough the importance of having a clear contract with clients to avoid any legal issues that may arise.

Under no circumstances should you transfer the site without receiving payment. It may appear that the person or organization is genuine, however, from my personal experience, I have been let down on three separate occasions by organizations who received full payment with no protection code (webmoney, Yandex) and then transferred the site to their hosting.

To prevent this, I recommend uploading the site to a test hosting and providing access to the admin panel for the customer to check. However, it is also possible for someone to steal the site from the admin panel by installing a backup tool such as updraftplus, creating a copy of the site and database and downloading it. In some cases, limiting the customer's rights may be necessary.

It is crucial to establish a clear agreement with your customer before transferring the website to their hosting. This agreement should include milestones, deadlines, and payment terms. Make sure to communicate your concerns and insist on receiving payment before the final transfer.

To mitigate potential risks, consider the following:

1. Use a reliable escrow service: A secure third-party escrow service can hold the payment until both parties fulfill their obligations.

2. Secure the website: Implement security measures like strong passwords, regular backups, and security plugins to protect against potential sabotage attempts.

3. Communication and dоcumentation: Keep a record of all communication and agreements, ensuring both parties are clear about expectations and responsibilities.

4. Partial delivery: Consider delivering the project in stages, requesting partial payments for each completed milestone. This reduces the risk of completing the entire project without receiving any payment.

5. Testimonials and references: Before working with a customer, evaluate their credibility by checking their reviews, testimonials, and references from past clients.

6. Watermark or restrict access: If you're concerned about unauthorized use of your work, you can consider watermarking or restricting access to certain parts of the website until payment is received.

7. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): You may want to consider having the customer sign an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) to protect sensitive information and prevent them from using your work without permission.

8. Use a secure payment method: Opt for trusted and secure payment methods such as PayPal, Stripe, or bank transfers, which offer protection against fraudulent transactions.

9. Have a formal contract: A detailed contract that outlines the scope of work, payment terms, and deadlines can help protect your interests and provide legal recourse if needed.

10. Seek legal advice: If you have concerns about specific risks involved in your situation, it's always a good idea to consult with a legal professional who specializes in contract law and intellectual property rights.


Dealing with difficult customers can be challenging, but here are some tips to help you navigate the situation effectively:

1. Active listening: Take the time to actively listen to your customer's concerns and understand their perspective. This will show empathy and help diffuse tension.

2. Clear communication: Clearly communicate your project scope, limitations, and any potential challenges upfront. Set realistic expectations about timelines, revisions, and support.

3. Problem-solving mindset: Approach issues with a problem-solving mindset. Collaborate with the customer to identify solutions that meet their needs while aligning with your capabilities.

4. Maintain professionalism: Stay calm, respectful, and professional throughout your interactions, even if the customer becomes difficult. Responding with professionalism can help de-escalate conflicts.

5. dоcument discussions: Keep a record of all communications with the customer, including agreements, requests, and changes. This will serve as a reference in case of disputes or misunderstandings.

6. Offer alternatives: If you're unable to fulfill a specific request, provide alternative suggestions or solutions that can still address the customer's needs. This shows your commitment to finding a resolution.

7. Seek support: If you're struggling to handle a difficult customer on your own, consult with a mentor, colleague, or support group for advice and guidance. They may have valuable insights to help you navigate the situation.

This client could easily ghost you, tweak the site's core files, or slap on some shady plugins to tank it and blame you for the mess. They might even flip the domain and leave you high and dry.

Why risk your grind? Keep the site on your turf - spin up a staging environment to demo the goods. No payment, no handover, period. If they're pushing back, they're likely trying to scam you out of your hard-earned cash. Get a contract in place, lock down the admin panel, and don't be a pushover.