In this business, clients come and go.
Sometimes they outgrow your services. Sometimes they want to try something new. And sometimes, life just shifts. We’ve learned not to take it personally — and more importantly, not to take it out on the relationship.
At DisplayGround, we’re in it for the long haul. That means treating every client with the same respect on the way out as we did on the way in.
It’s Not Always About Us
When a client parts ways, it’s easy to assume we did something wrong. But more often than not, it’s just business. Budgets change. Strategies pivot. A new marketing lead brings their preferred team. Letting go of the need to control that has helped us keep things in perspective.
Long-Term Thinking Beats Short-Term Ego
There’s a short-term satisfaction in getting defensive or cold when a client leaves — but that burns fast. We’ve seen more return on being gracious.
Just this past year, a former client came back to work with us after years apart. They’d tried another direction, found it wasn’t the right fit, and reached out again. Not only did we pick up right where we left off — they referred another client a few months later. That kind of full-circle moment doesn’t happen if you shut the door on your way out.
Learn From the Loss
That said — every client departure is a chance to reflect.
Even when it’s not “our fault,” there’s usually something to learn:
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Could we have been more proactive in communication?
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Did the scope slowly drift without enough clarity?
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Were there signals they were unhappy that we missed?
We take time to revisit those questions after a client moves on. Not to beat ourselves up — but to get better. Every project leaves a breadcrumb trail of insights if you’re willing to look for it.
Sometimes, those reflections turn into small changes: tighter onboarding, clearer pricing structures, or better expectation-setting up front. It’s part of the process. And we believe that mindset — curiosity instead of defensiveness — is what keeps our work getting sharper year after year.
We Hand Things Off Like Pros
When a client leaves, we make sure they’re set up. They get full access to files, documentation, admin rights — whatever they need to succeed. We don’t hide anything. We don’t hold on out of spite.
That’s not just about being decent — it’s smart business. People talk. And how you make them feel at the end of a relationship sticks.
The Energy Exchange
We’ve learned that letting go gracefully frees up energy — for ourselves, our team, and the work that matters most. We’d rather focus on the projects and people who are aligned with our values than hang onto a grudge or play the blame game.
The Bridge Might Come Back Around
One of our favorite stories is from a client we lost early on. We haven’t worked together since, but they’ve sent multiple people our way over the years. We parted on good terms — and that goodwill came back around.
Closing Thought:
In web development, relationships are everything. How you say goodbye can sometimes matter more than how you say hello. At DisplayGround, we don’t burn bridges — we build them, even when we’re walking away.