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Anything Goes: How much should I charge?

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthoraaroncooke
    • CommentTimeDec 15th 2006
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    Hi i'm from the UK and currently creating a website for someone. The job is for a custom web design with a shopping cart and I have no idea what I should charge.

    I've estimated £300. Do you think that's a reasonable price or am I overcharging/undercuting myself?

    Thanks in advance.
  2.  permalink
    Hi Aaron,

    I guess it depends on how long you think it will take you to do the work. If I understand you correctly, you're doing an interface design, coding and integrating e-commerce functionality. If you think that you can complete all of that work within about ten hours and you're pretty new to the web design & development game (which I will assume you are based on this post), then that's probably a fair price. I have a feeling that ten hours will be far too little time for you to complete the project though, and you should probably reconsider the project price.

    There are always extenuating circumstances though. If you're doing a site to build up your portfolio, for a friend, for a non-profit, etc. there are times when you will offer a reduced rate. Just keep in mind if you do a complete website for that little money, any referrals you receive based on that job will expect similar rates.

    Good luck.
  3.  permalink
    Hi!

    It varies from client to client.
    If it's a bigger company you might charge more then from an individual that has less budget to work with.
    It's the game and you need to learn to play it.
    Thought having a fix rate not always work in your advantage.

    Best, DS
    •  
      CommentAuthormringlein
    • CommentTimeDec 15th 2006
     permalink
    I wrote an article on this topic:
    Freelancers, how to determine our rates?


    Pricing is about two things -- experience and confidence. You have to have the experience to warrant the price and you have to have the confidence to ask for that price. Here is my personal opinion on what is fair market value:

    • 0 to 1 yrs experience and a weak portfolio = free to $10/hour
    • 1 to 2 yrs experience and a strong portfolio = $25/hour to $35/hour
    • 2 to 4 yrs experience and rock solid portfolio along with strong client list = $45/hour to $65/hour
    • More than 4yrs experience, inspiration worthy portfolio along with a strong client list = $80+/hour to {the sky is the limit}.


  5.  permalink
    Although I highly respect Martin's opinion, I think that working for free (unless you're doing something pro-bono for charity) is inadvisable.
    • CommentAuthormista3
    • CommentTimeDec 16th 2006
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    Aaron I think you are undercharging massively.

    Lets say you charge £30/hour. That gives you 10 hours to design and build the site and setup the shopping cart. Unless you are just skinning a ready-made cart?
    •  
      CommentAuthormringlein
    • CommentTimeDec 16th 2006
     permalink
    I hear you Scott. I think the whole "free" thing can definitely be debated. I personally never took a gig without pay -- but I know some people that started on that route and found it successful (so, I like to say it is an option). If you are "starving" for creativity to add to your portfolio, taking a free gig might not hurt -- I learn best through application. So actually designing and building a site is going to help me more than Google'ing or reading a few books. I think there are better ways to build your portfolio, but I know taking cheap or free gigs is by far a popular method.

    One thing to consider outside of freelancing is "internships" -- if you can get in with a big name (Apple, Sony, Nike, Discovery, etc.) and all they are offering is an unpaid opportunity; TAKE IT! People love big names and your career will benefit in the long run.
    •  
      CommentAuthoradjustafresh
    • CommentTimeDec 17th 2006 edited
     permalink
    I'm with Martin as far as the learning by doing ethos. For free portfolio building exercises though, I would recommend new designers work on their own portfolios--making it as kick-ass as they're capable of, as well as a WordPress theme, CSS Zen Garden or CSS Shuffle (wink-wink) entry. I've gotten a ton of exposure from my CSS Zen Garden entry that I made a few years ago.

    Internships are definitely great if you can afford it. If your parents are still supporting you, you're living off a trust fund or you can survive on welfare by all means try an internship. Not only can the work experience be valuable, but you can also make some good contacts which we all know is as important as your design skills.

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