Never send the final product until the check clears on a new customer. Never work without a contract. Always check the client to make sure they're reputable. I've been burned a few times myself. Now I play hardball. My work is worth what I charge, and if someone wants something done by me, they will pay. Period. Just because an organization is large, sometimes it can be a complete pain getting paid. A major west coast university system held me and my partner up for almost a year after delivery of a product. They used it, they loved it, but there was always something holding up the check. I finally contacted the University Burser's office and filed a complaint. I was paid in 2 days. The database is a good idea, but the logistics and legal ramifications will increase the cost to the point where it probably won't be worthwhile. What if there's a dispute between a member and a client. The member can turn them in for non-payment, you give a bad review so someone else refuses a contract siting the review, and suddenly you're libel.