Understanding the Client's Influence in Web Designing
If you're a web designer, nothing is worse than building a client a fabulous website and putting it in your portfolio, only to see the client mess up the site. If you used a CMS to build the site and showed them how to update it themselves, it's only a matter of time before they realize they can add animated GIFs, like a waving American flag, or change the font to Comic Sans.
You can restrict their access to certain functions and charge a minimal maintenance fee to update the site. This way, you can try to talk them out of a bad idea, but many clients can do damage with just the basic functions. They can add a new post and use four different font colors because they think it is eye-catching. Besides, they won't pay a maintenance fee forever.
You can show screenshots of previous client's websites, but a potential client can always Google the business name and find the current site. Potential clients often want to see your ability to create a website which functions as well as it looks. This is the chance you have to take.
You could invent imaginary businesses and build websites for them. Give the sites the functionality a potential client would want to see. This way, you know the site will always look great and function perfectly. You would have to build multiple sites to show off your skills.
No matter how much a previous client messes up their website, it is theirs to do with what they want. They paid for it and they have every right to change the site any way they see fit. Design is subjective. If they prefer an unusual color scheme or they want all the text capitalized, it's their business they will be hurting. For more information click here https://www.reddit.com/r/web_design/comments/cpa0dx/rant_im_so_fucking_exhausted_of_clients_who/.