How much do you charge?

[I, Brian]

Does anyone here do any serious webdevelopment for businesses?

If so I'd like to get an idea of how you structure your pricing.

It's not so much exact figures I'm after, as much as relative price ranges.

It's almost certain now that I'll be going self-emplyed after Christmas. My target market is overwhelmingly the local business market, and I intend to sell content SEO as a basic part of the design package - but also offer additional SEO services on top.

But I'd like to get a take on the webdevelopment issue from those who actually trade in that market, even if in the USA.

If you'd rather not mention pricing in public then feel free to PM or e-mail me - I'm happy to be sworn to confidentiality.

[John Scott]

$3,000 to $5,000

[as_scripter]

$50/h

[LazyJim]

JS what does that get you?

as_ what do you do in that time - drawing and Flash work for Flash anims/intros/sites?

[John Scott]

Basic website design.

[AcRoNym]

when i get to know flash my prices are going up

[LazyJim]

why does flash cost more?

[as_scripter]

$50/h is the low end, High would be $125/h. Thats not just for Flash, thats for everything. Coding HTML, PHP, graphics or even advising someone what font to use(yes, I have actually done this.)

Also if the project is small and may only take me an hour, I'll charge more than $50/h, takes time to get myself educated about the product/service/theme so I can best serve the client.

People do complain about my prices, but I still do get enough work to keep me busy.

-Mike

[South]

If you're going to be selling your local area, where you're located is going to play big into your final pricing structure. A good starting point might be to contact some local media and ask for ad rates (as if you might be interested in buying advertising).

This is true because media outlets have already tested and studied the area to find out what local businesses can afford to spend based on sales. This will hold true in web services as well. Standard businesses allow 5% of projected quarterly sales for advertising, and I've found that that most businesses will pull from thier alotted print budget for web (they relate the two because they're both visual I guess).

John has his rates set up at $3,000 to $5,000. While he obviously sells areas outside of Vegas, that's his base of operation and it's a big income city. We're in a smaller, poorer area where businesses sell less and earn less. For full design we charge $700 to $1500. Huge difference, but if I tried selling those bigger rates down here in a minor market I'd starve.

One quick only partially related item. Pay attention to what potential clients are selling and plan your quarterly sales calls around thier business. Bridal shops make most of thier money doing second quarter weddings and prom in the fall. They have small sales potential first quarter so you'll be hard pressed to sell them in fourth quarter.

This won't be true for every case but that's my two cents worth.

[LazyJim]

good advise
I was just discussing seasonal markets with my business adviser today, I was already thinking that businesses will wan't their web site operational before people start researching the product, and people start researching the product before the time of year they will need it.

So it can get offset a lot.

For example, the moment Christmas day is past, the summer holiday adverts come out in force.
Anyone promoting summer holiday related products will need their site operational before Chrstmas so the www adress can be shown on the ad, and also to make sure their site is visible when people start searching the web for related topics (prompted to do so be the afore mentions summer holiday promotion and the fact that they have a few days holiday after Christmas).

As for price -
You do need to scope out your market, and each client too.
You wan't to charge as mcuh as you think you can get away with.

[AcRoNym]

lj how much for a site like this www.johnnyhollow.com

[AcRoNym]

billions....

[LazyJim]

Originally Posted by LazyJim

As for price -
You do need to scope out your market, and each client too.
You wan't to charge as mcuh as you think you can get away with.

Of course don't go below the minimum your prepared to do the work for, if they can't afford either you or they (or both) will be losing out though. So unless u have enough clients knocking on the door that you can pick and choose, keep costs low!

[AcRoNym]

depends a who ur clients are b how good ur sh** is.. i mean if nike rang me and were like 'yo we need a pimped out site', id wouldnt be like ok $1000 all in , it be like ok gimme months erm $500,000

[AcRoNym]

not like i coud do it tho... grannies corner sweet shop gimme $200

[LazyJim]

yeah facters are:
- maximum the client can afford;
- minimum you can afford;
- current rates competitors charge;
- your ability;

anything else?

[LazyJim]

Originally Posted by AcRoNym

lj how much for a site like this www.johnnyhollow.com

WOW....

OMG WOW

that site is worth the wait even on my 24kbips!

I can see a massive amount of time and effort was spent on the design of that site, as well as the production.

The site is based on good content, and is brilliant terms of user experience.

It is a wonderfull example of appropriate use of Flash.

p.s. Why ask me?

[I, Brian]

Good call folks - funny, I almost forgot to even check the prices of potential local competitors.

Btw - good post Southnow - much appreciated.

[AcRoNym]

dunno lj just wondering... dont have A clue how they incorporated the lady bug

[AcRoNym]

or the fricking riddles when u type and it says nooooo....how they do it lj ... i have an idea it uses a layer above an image the parchment.... but the ... wow teach me .. i need to learn flash