Readers Respond: How do you get Web design clients to pay higher prices?

Responses: 4

When you're trying to decide on a pricing structure or even just a fair hourly rate it can be hard to convice your clients that they should pay those prices. Find out how other designers convince their clients to pay more and share your secrets to charging higher prices.

Real World Experience

I am able to apply my 18 years of experience in sales and the building industry to offer additional information to my clients that directly realtes to their customers. Also I use my current network of contacts to talk to older customers that may not have considered a website before.

—Guest Grant Bylsma

Increase your Skill Set

I am a self-taught web designer so I am constantly competing with design firms that have college educated web designers and art student interns. My solution, increase my skill-set. At least once I month I try to learn at least one new skill or software program and by the end of the year I have learned 12 new valuable skills. Since I have more services and skills to offer my clients, I can raise my prices.

—Guest RedLaceDesign

Educate your Web Design Customers.

I think education is a key factor. Web designers now number in the millions. Anyone who can put something up on the internet thinks they are a web designer, but web design encompasses more that putting up a page on the internet. If you want to get your website noticed and better Search engine placement, many factors go into this and a lot of time is required. Web site visitors should be potential clients of your business, you only have few seconds to grab the attention of your visitor and turn them into a lead. I have created hundreds of websites and the best ones, have had input from the business owner or marketing team. Layout and information have to be at the forefront of any successful web design. Many factors in a successful website are behind the scene, proper tags and descriptions, page names not to mention SEM. Education is a key to get the proper amount of pay for your times as a successful web designer. Like any other business rent, electricity, software programs, training,

—DigitalExtremeMediaGroup

I Changed Where I Get Clients

I was relying on clients I got from my mom and her friends, but I realized that they weren't willing (or able) to pay the rates I now believe I am worth. So I bought some ads in a couple industry magazines for the businesses I target and now I have some new, higher-paying clients. I'm hoping that they will recommend me to their friends, but even if they don't, the advertising was a good investment for getting higher paying clients. I would definitely keep doing that.

—Guest Maos