[ZippZopp]

i know this has been talked about often, but i'm really unsure about something. basically, i've been asked to put a website together for somone's business. he basically wants an information site, as well as an area where customers can purchase his products. i'm goin to be doing the graphics and layout and a friend of mine is doing all the programming and setting up the purchasing end of the site. i have no clue though how to go about figuring out how much i should charge. this is the first site i'm creating for someone. anyone have guidelines or rules of thumb i should follow to get a price? thanks

[Nirox]

This is how I figure out how to charge people..
And keep in mind you should charge them based on how skilled you are..

ive been designing webpages for about 6 years now
and doing online graphics for about 5....
so I dont really charge that much

but here's a run down..

Concept design = 15/hour
Layout Design = 20/hour
Custom Graphics = 25/hour
Animation = 30/hour
allowed changes = 2

("changes" meaning...if they want something changed
after they approved, I only let them do this 2 times.. after I start charging them for the extra time used)

also...make sure they know you are charging them for the concept design
ive had a lot of clients ask me why the concept was so much...
(some people dont read contracts )

also..ALWAYS have a contract
its just good business

and always add some extra time on your proposal...
so if you think the job is gona take you 10 hours...
add 5 more

you never know when your gona get a computer crash
or they ask you to change something.....and you have to start all over again

just a way to save your own ass..
and if you finish before the extra 5 hours..
you look good =) speedy work...
_________________
~ Jorge "Nirox" M

[Drunken Monkey]

Nirox has excellent points. Although really low prices... Don't undercharge. Ever.

I would use this formula.

Programming an hour:

(Minimum Wage * 3)*Years of experience

where years of experience is at least 1


Design an hour:

(Minimum Wage * 2)*Years of experience

where years of experience is at least 1

[Blind]

eek! By that formula I could be charging $270 an hour for what I do?! Seems somehow unrealistic.
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-blind

[Nirox]

hahahah... no

lets say you sit down with the client...

and start coming up with concept designs...

that takes... 4 hours to come up with a concept

4 hours x 15per hour = $60

understand?

you have to break down everything you do into those sections....
_________________
~ Jorge "Nirox" M

[Drunken Monkey]

If you have 15 years of experience (i dont know in what...) then you should be making up your own formulas.

[B0b]

always go in high, and then discuss with ur client their needs for the job, if u under price ur work, they'll expect a cheap price from you for all the jobs u do..

[Ian Jones]

Nirox I think those prices are a little low.

In Australia I've been told to charge $60 per hour. It seems to work out quite well. It sounds exhorbitatnt to begin with, but at the end when your ealise how much work and time, not to mention frustrations you put into it... it pays off. Don;t forget we have to pay for expensive tools aswell.

In American dollars thats probably about $30 an hour. Anyone back this up? perhaps $25 and hour.

[Nirox]

yes it is low.. but ive noticed that unless your client has money...
anything over those prices are considered extreme...

I know that charging .. $60 an hour
would probably be more what its norm

but to get work.. you have to lower your prices =\

unfortunately everyone and their uncle can do webpages nowadays
some one who is looking for a webdesigner wants the cheapest...

=\

get used to lowering your prices... unless you have rich clients
_________________
~ Jorge "Nirox" M

[bluetraveller]

I've been a web designer since 1994. So the best advice i can offer is bill according to the affordability of your clients. If i'm working for an advertising house, the cost goes up. If i'm building something for a local gym, I bill according to their needs and expectations. Create two standards for yourself. It works for me because my reputation is based on high-end services.

Here's a link to a site which you might find helpful. http://www.aquent.com/whitepapers/

It provides a survey of 2002 salaries in the web industry (USA) by an IT placement company.

good luck.
_________________
"Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive"