I’m starting a web design agency that focuses on building sites for realtors and agents (Already have a meeting in place with a potential client). In order to build the website I’ll be using a theme (Houzez) which basically makes it plug andn play with their templates. The theme comes with plugins such as a dashboard and full CRM, and it allows the option to white label the entire thing.
Is there any reason not to pass the website design as my own? I feel that if the client knows that I’m using a $70 theme to build practically their entire website they’ll be extremely pissed, but at the same time if I do decide to pass it off as my own (Or at least omit the fact that I’m using a theme) there’s the risk of them finding out that I haven’t been completely transparent and also getting extremely pissed.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Why not try to setup a deal with the devs of Houzez for a white label license? Passing things off as your own will only last so long and eventually the house of cards will come tumbling down. That’s excluding the moral issues surrounding this idea. But honestly, we build sites using Elementor, don’t hide it at all, and no one blinks an eye. No one cares, as long as you get the job done.
You could charge the client for the work you do, the knowledge you bring to the table and the ability to use existing resources to build a solution for them that works and covers their needs. That way, you can be transparent about the tools you use and never need to fear getting caught for passing someone else’s work off as your own.
>…if the client knows that I’m using a $70 theme to build practically their entire website they’ll be extremely pissed
Then let them build the website (and handle everything that comes with it) themselves.
If you’re worried about them being upset about saying you used a paid theme, think about how upset they will be if they find out on their own later. Maybe when an update is made available, or a security bug comes up, or if they look at the code.
Using someone else’s theme/code is not a big deal in open source spaces, this is WordPress after all (and none of us “wrote” WordPress). Just as long as you don’t claim you’re the author for other people’s work. This is why I recommend to be honest and upfront with your client.
What may help here is re-thinking your title/role for this client. Are you the designer? or did you build a functional website by putting together the right components, the builder?
You might even gain some recurring revenue if they contract you as the website administrator (managing updates, backups, emergencies, etc..)
If your using a theme, shouldn’t your prices be cheaper than a full site build anyway. If your passing of your services as a full code build then yes I’d imagine they’d be pissed (rightly so). However if your charging for adding all the copy and the knowledge to setup the theme then that’s fine but I would expect it to be cheaper than someone who created a full custom build.
To be honest, WordPress is open source/GPL — heck, anything related to (premium) plugins and templates are GPL.
Now, that being said, as well, others have said it — be open and transparent. Let them know you “started” with a paid theme by so-in-so, however, you have done “this”, “this”, and “that. Break down the work that you have done.
Even if you use a paid theme, ALL YOUR WORK should be done via a child theme or a code snippets plugin. So you can then give credit where credit is due. I do not know of or have done any work for someone that does not require specific customization for their business needs.
My build contracts actually say exactly what theme I use for my builds, never had an issue with it. If anyone ever pushes back on you that the theme only costs X dollars, that’s a client you 100% do not want anyway – they’ll nickel and dime you to death.
Sooner or later, your clients will learn about it. There’s no harm in acknowledging CTO and GPL. Customizing the theme to address client requirements’ is more than enough, but getting credit for something you have not done is not good. Furthermore, your reputation can be compromised if another wpDev touches your client’s site.