From the article: What Pricing Structure Should I Use?
How do you charge for your Web design work. Do you charge by the hour or by the project? Do you have a flat fee or do you vary your rates? If you were starting over would you charge this way again? Share How You Charge
Give great value, but charge accordingly
- I (luckily, perhaps) tend to find my clients are as much interested and appreciative in my business experience, personal service and dedicated effort than they are in the web site I create for them. They are well aware a cheap web site probably won't attract the desired traffic, so I certainly feel justified in charging a high (but not top-whack) hourly rate. Our great relationship means that the clients trust me to charge honestly and appropriately for site edits too.
- —Guest Andy
Per page initially, then hourly
- I charge a per page rate for initial websites, then an hourly rate for updates. I do this because it is often difficult for clients to communicate their needs well and it ensures I am paid for the work that is done, not what I think might be done. If the site is smaller, they pay less. If it is larger, they pay more. After a certain number of pages, I reduce the per page rate, as the initial design is slightly higher to cover time to set up the site and arrange hosting, domain, etc. Fees for scripts are also charged to the client. In fact, I don't mention rates until after an initial meeting. Once I had rattled off a fee (prematurely) and when the quote ended up much higher, I lost the opportunity and the trust of the potential client.
- —Guest Peggy Shields
By the project, by the hour
- How I decide a price, greatly depends on the situation at hand. I always get a grasp on what the client wants by taking solid notes. Then I calculate hours by what I deserve I should be compensated for the job. On top of the (functionality) x (hours) equation, I always calculate in the server and domain costs. This is all wrapped up into a well written contract that is signed before any work is started.
- —Guest Corey Schario
Balance all values
- I usually start with an estimate based on a standard hourly rate and how long I expect the project to take. If that looks like it's higher than the client can / will pay, I'll start to factor in other values such as portfolio value, the long term relationship with the client, business networking value, and the important one... potential scope creep.
- —quayfee
Project Charge
- I generally charge an initial fee of setting up a basic site and server including required softwae; ie CMS, ecommerce etc. This will get the site online and to customers design ideas. I then charge an hourly rate for updates, mods etc that are outside the initial setup. Monthly service fees are also an option to some, but generally I specify max hours included with additional hours charged out.
- —Guest Dazza
By the project, plus
- The question I get often from prospective clients is, "How much do you charge for a simple 3-5 page website, with a shopping cart?" as if all sites are the same. Everything I do is custom. I give a price on the project, based upon the amount of time it will take. After so many years, it's easy for me to estimate. I set the parameters in a written contract, and then charge additionally (usually by the hour, with an estimate of the time it will take) for new things they want to add as we go along. Anything additional after the contract has been completed is charged hourly.
- —Babbsela
