WAHM Forums

Hey everyone I've been lurking on this website for about 6 months off and on. I'm looking at starting to do freelance web designing. I'm graduating from LSU in Public Relations in December and in February I will be receiving my Web Design certificate from LSU. I have created a couple of web sites for my family/friends for free, but now that I'm graduating I need to start thinking about my prices. Does anyone have any suggestions on start out pricing? I know I don't have a lot of experience compared to a lot of people designing, so I want my prices to be reasonable. What were some of ya'lls prices when you started out? Thanks so much for your help.

I used to have things priced on my site, but I found that it's better to price things per project. I am interested to see what other say about this too. :-)

I do not like to give out prices on my site either. I use to. It varies so much from project to project. I prefer to price per project than hourly. When I first started out on freelance boards, my rate was $15 an hour. <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Unless you have a good portfolio or one decent client that will spread the word about you, it's difficult to compete with foreign workers who charge $10 an hour.

I would focus on doing one free site for a non-profit. That's how I jump started my business. One non-profit referred 5 new clients, and those clients came to me because of trust and they liked what they saw from the non-profit, I did not have to skimp on my priceseven though I was new and had a very small portfolio.

Also work on residual income. This seems to be a big debate among webmasters. Do I setup a CMS system so the end user can update their site, or should I retain a maintenanceclient and just charge hourly when they need updates. I prefer to have residual income, and unless the client requests a CMS type deal, I will handle all updates on an hourly rate. I have several clients that I bill out almost 30 hours a month in update work. It's easy work that adds up.








here is a good article at sitepoint. http://www.sitepoint.com/print/freelance-pricing-1-set-rate/

Hope that helps some.

I do not post rates on my website either. I personally feel every project is client by client and what the need. I have in my mind a determined price range for each type of project I normally come across so I can always give an estimate when meeting with clients.

I also know of some designers that were tired of sending out proposal all the time and putting the time into them and get nothing in return so they like to have package deals and you purchase them right from your site. I would say it is up to you.

First I would determine who your target clients are. I personally target local business where I live because I like to meet with the clients one and one and really understand their needs. I stay away from the freelance sites because they undervalue what you are worth and really undervalue the entire design market.

When I first started I determined my target client base and then I researched what companies were charging in my area. I'm not the cheapest on the market but I'm not the most expensive either. I'm a bit higher than right in the middle which is were I want to be. After doing some research studies show that most clients get three qoutes from designers and normally when they lay them all out one will be the lowest, one the highest and one right in the middle and most of the time the client will choose the one in the middle.

One thing you can do to yourself by starting out to low is people not taking what you can do serious. I've chatted with designers who are wonderful and were the cheapest because they didn't overcharge people and were turned now on projects because they were so cheap and the client didn't think they could deliver being that cheap.

Detemine your clients, your market, your expenses and then your worth. What we do takes alot of time and effort so never under price yourself to the point that when you break down the hours spent on a project that you are not making any more.

Non-projects projects are a great idea to get the ball rolling, I'm looking for a few to do myself just trying to find them. Any tips jgsketch (http://www.wahm.com/forum/member_profile.asp?PF=50965&amp;FID=28)?

Hope that helps,

Sure,
I found my non-profit through a classified adin my paper. They were looking for a free website to go with their other non-profit company.

I've also found similar gigs by doing some research. I found one non-profit that does an annual fundraiser. In the past, they did not have a site, so i offered a site for the next event and they gave me free advertising at their event. "Sponsored By" type of deal.

You can also look into craigslist. Non-profits are always looking for freebies on graphic work for flyers or mailouts.

And one last tip. Most counties or cities have a non-profit resource center or similar type of place to help local non-profits. Or in smaller towns you could go to the chamber of commerce.

I also know of some designers that were tired of sending out proposal all the time and putting the time into them and get nothing in return so they like to have package deals and you purchase them right from your site. I would say it is up to you.
...I stay away from the freelance sites because they undervalue what you are worth and really undervalue the entire design market.


Oh my gosh! Isn't that the truth smileys/smiley32.gif. I have been trying out freelance sites and it is hard to compete with those $8 per hour individuals from overseas. Then you have the ones who say they want a 'simple site', yet it includes, custom scripting, an ecommerce module, and possibly a cms for them to update easily in the future and all that they want for under $250...are they kidding me smileys/smiley22.gif...oh and to top it off they want it all done in a week...riiiiiggght! smileys/smiley36.gif

Yup, I am agreeing with the pp, lol! That is so true.

Then you have the ones who say they want a 'simple site', yet it includes, custom scripting, an ecommerce module, and possibly a cms for them to update easily in the future and all that they want for under $250...are they kidding me smileys/smiley22.gif...oh and to top it off they want it all done in a week...riiiiiggght! smileys/smiley36.gif


I've won bids like these before and then had to turn them down after the fact for the that very reason. It's insane sometimes what people expect.

Thanks for the tips on the non-profits, I will have to try to connect with my local chamber and see what I can find out.

Do you think people just really don't understand the process of design and building a website or that they just feel they can push people around and someone will do the project for them?

I turned away from a local client just last week for these reasons.He didn't care to get me anything I needed to complete the site in three weeks once the design was agreed apone but then all of the sudden he was going on a trip and wanted the site up and running and completed in two days (which those days were over the weekend) and told me I either do it or he will find someone else do and Itold him to find someone else then. I hated to loose the jobbut Ialso wasn'tgoing to be pushed around and give up my families weekend for that. Its hard sometimes.

I think you were right not to let yourself be pushed around. And I do think that some people think they can make these demands because there are lots of other designers out there who are willing to bend and do what they want.

But you have to value yourself and your work. I'm STILL learning this. Decide right away that your time and skill are worth something.

I donated a website to a charity organization in the U.K. last summer. I had been poking around in the Wordpress forums and came across a post by their lead person asking for a free website. I wasn't busy and thought why not? Now they want me to redesign their site and this time they have funding. :)

Good luck to you!

...all of the sudden he was going on a trip and wanted the site up and running and completed in two days (which those days were over the weekend) and told me I either do it or he will find someone else do and Itold him to find someone else then.


That is just insane. I do value my skills and time, and do often give clients more than they ask/pay for. So for me, if clients are like this, I just send them packing from the onset. smileys/smiley2.gif

Man, have I missed this forum!
I have done the beginner's price thing &amp; I think it can give a misrepresentation of the design community as a whole. People start to take our hard work for granted. I had low prices, just to help me get work - but then the projects started becoming larger &amp; taking more time than initially planned. I'm actually in the process of increasing my rates for projects (which won't be listed anywhere on my site anymore - just a quote request).

I think the advice to doa site for a non-profit is great. When you demonstrate what you can do&amp; make them happy, they will spread the word for you. And you'll be able to charge what you are worth.

Kudos to photovision for standing firm!

Another thing about non-profits, they tend to be well connected or networked with other companies and supporters within your community. The very nature of a non-profit means that they have a larger network of possible referals than a normal company.

To add to the non profit suggestion, look in to your local Women Business Owners Association in your state or city if available. Offer to design a site if they don't already have one or to create an event page or even a print design for the next event.

My two cents...
When it comes to getting people to understand how much your design is worth, put a FAQ on your site. Answer questions about the process and even give information on a timeline. You steps in acquiring a client.

Some of my steps include an initial meeting to discuss client expectations. Than custom design or CMS will determine timeline. Than nothing is done until the client provides information (if a custom design). I will set out time milestones the entire time. And I will never accept a week turnaround unless it is for updates to a current site or just two or 3 pages.

Edited by: rqueen