So you took the job without any contract signed or digital trail like email ?

A couple of mistakes to avoid in the future:
1) Get a simple contract or receipt to specify the total fee and timeline for delivery.
2) Get the client to sit down with you in person and trash out a requirements document, to clearly specify the features you’re supposed to deliver and get it signed. This covers your ass when Lawyers come in or you’re accused of not delivering (I know it’s easier to just not meet them and conduct business online but that’s how you filter serious clients from jokers)
3) Take a downpayment at the start like 1/3 of the total fee.
4) When done with the project, show it to them on your own domain or localhost, and get the second 1/3
5) Control the website by having aws or other providers account to host the actual domain. This is to prove that it is live and running. Get the last 1/3 then pass the aws credentials to them.


Now your issue is the client is not paying. You can bring your case up to CASE or give them a Lawyers letter