Off The Shelf Templates

He has: 43 posts

Joined: Apr 2004

Question regarding the miriad of templates available on template sites.

If a design specification is fullfilled using a purchased template, is the developer obligated to inform the client that the site is base on an off-the-shelf template?

Opinions appreciated.

Thanks

demonhale's picture

He has: 3,278 posts

Joined: May 2005

Depending on how much you customize it, but usually you don't need to. And if you purchased it as a unique(one-off), then you don't really need to inform the client.

akopayan's picture

They have: 106 posts

Joined: Nov 2006

I don't think you have to tell about it to your client.

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

If it's unique, probably not. If it's not unique then I'd say yes. The client is hiring you assuming they are getting a custom solution. It's misleading to them to provide them with something that is not even unique to their site.

It also depends on the terms of the job in the first place, and what the cost is. What was discussed, what you said you would provide for them. If you said you would provide a custom solution and charged them accordingly then you really ought to tell them that you didn't do what was previously discussed (but explain why the template works just as well and that it will save them money).

Azam.net's picture

He has: 60 posts

Joined: Sep 2005

I would agree with the remarks above.

Generally I believe it is better from a moral perspective to let a client know if a template was used.

He has: 43 posts

Joined: Apr 2004

Thanks everyone for the responses.

With my luck, one of my clients competitors would end up using the same template too, then I'd have to try and explain that!!!

Cheers.

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