Working in a mostly online business, we’ve had the chance to hear a lot of project horror stories over the years. If you’ve ever had a freelance provider disappear mid project, or on the other side of the coin, had a client that stretched a two day project on for months with “just one more” items, you’ve learned the hard way that navigating the world of web-based projects its fraught with pitfalls.

Somehow, when it comes to running projects online, people tend to forget basic rules they would follow in an offline setting. Don’t let the convenience of contracting work over the internet lull you into becoming another one of these horror stories.

Get it in writing

Conversations over the phone or even an instant messenger are helpful to coordinate, but these mediums should never be your only method of communication, especially when setting down project requirements. You wouldn’t hire a company (or provide services to a company) offline without a well-written contract; working online is no different.

The devil is in the details

One of the most common online mistakes is offering or accepting a project with vague or ambiguous wording. Remember that one person’s idea of a website that is “complete” or “working” can be very different than another’s. Steer clear of generic terms – make sure your deliverables clearly spell out what you expect and when you expect them.

Set milestones and checkpoints

There’s nothing more frustrating than reaching the end of a long project and finding out the end product isn’t what you expected. As you're getting started with a project, set up milestones to assess the work and stick to those deadlines. Make sure that everyone is on the same page with features, design and other specifications from the contract. The sooner you can stop a misunderstanding, the less money and time you will spend to correct it.

Feel free to be picky

Almost everyone who's had a project go poorly will tell you they had a bad feeling long before the problems started. Trust your instincts - if something feels wrong about a project, buyer or freelancer, it probably is. Steer clear of people who refuse to use deadlines, won't commit to specifics or hedge about giving you contact details and references. When it comes to online services, you have hundreds of choices at your fingertips - if you're not completely comfortable with a situation, don't be afraid to walk away.

While being an online service provider or working with them can be a risky proposition, following the same careful procedures you'd use when working offline can help you avoid most problems. In general, just remember the old adage "If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is."