I wrote my own CMS that can do a few things really well and was marketing it. Found a client and I'd been charging a client a few South African Rand every month to host a website for their business. Really low cost, in my error.

Then i started getting asked to do more work on the site.

Then they wanted a site design and they were complaining they needed more business from the site so I didnt charge. I went out of my way to redo their design, meet with them, find the correct demasque background, logo redesign and content updates.

Then another small site I was running for them at a lower cost suddenly needed changes. So I barked a bit and they backed off.

Then they came back and said that on the first website they needed more business because another channel was failing them. someone had suggested they setup a blog to get new clients. Would I help?

I replied back and said for the monthly fee I was being paid i couldnt support more work or blog integration, not at that rate. We could discuss a retainer for that kind of work...

They turfed me on both websites - Gone to someone cheaper they say that also allows them to update the website as they choose and setup a blog.. So can I give them a backup of the sites? Sure cuz it was in my terms of service.

So I thought I was doing them a favour- low costs, possibility of self maintaining the site, a new theme design, managed hosting and email.

Turfed. My wife is pissed at the time I put into them.

I on the other hand have realized this - 1. Small business dont want to pay a lot of money for anything 2. Small business dont want to pay anything for services. If you ask for payment they will balk and possibly not enter an engagement 3. Small business will want everything done, plus the clothes off your back. And when you cant anymore they'll say you suck and move on.

Im now not even marketing the web dev side of my skills anymore.