How much to charge?

Ralph van den Berg's picture

I've been approached by several people about making websites for them, and every time I'm really confused as to how much I should be charging for my services?

I've done a very simple website for 5,000 baht before, and I thought that money was good compensation for the little work I had to put into it, but all I've been hearing since was that it was too cheap. Now with 2 more projects coming up, 1 being of a similar simple nature as the one I did for 5,000 baht, and the second significantly more complicated (but for a charity organization) I have no idea how much I should be charging.

The first simple one is for a family friend, so as long as they let me keep it simple, I'm thinking 5 grand is fine. Then I have the dilemma with the more intricate website, where they want video (or some kind of multimedia) in the website and probably an online store too. Naturally, I'll be spending a lot more time on it, and would ask for a lot more financial compensation, but it's for a charity organization that builds secondary schools for villages in Myammar!

From my first talk today, I'm considering charging around 25 thousand, but won't I end up in hell, if that money could be used to build a school instead?!?

Help!

Ralph (http://ralphvandenberg.com)


Ralph van den Berg's picture

How much is it worth (to you)?

Here's something I've just thought of. When the issue of costs comes up, I might ask (next time) "how much is it worth to you?" With American or European clients, they might be willing to pay a lot more than you might originally ask for!

---Ralph van den Berg
visit RalphvandenBerg.com

ken's picture

$$$

This is a question which I have been faced with many times - and one I haven't practically found a good solution to. There are many variables that go into the problem; designer experience, future value in website portfolio, value of time, complexity, interest in project, opportunity cost (what else could you spend your time on?) and the list goes on...

Probably the biggest factor in this list is "Time" - afterall other factors such as complexity and opportunity cost can actually be subsumed by this factor anyway. How long will it take you to do the project, and how much is your time worth? You could produce a price from that simple equation. Perhaps with more experience you can add in some value for that experience - i.e. if you can build the website quickly because you've done it before, then up your hourly price. On the other hand, for someone just starting out building websites, don't underestimate the value of adding a project to a portfolio - this can often generate more business in the future... Perhaps this is a way to rationalise an ethical dilemma such as the charity one?

Coming up with a quote for a project is a topic often investigated in a course in Systems Analysis and Design, as there are several academic approaches to it. At the end of the day, the only approach that will succeed is "pricing to win". The only way to win a job, is to undercut the opposition!

I guess you were hoping for an exact figure? Sorry!

Ralph van den Berg's picture

Thanks

I think this is good advice... I just kind of start cheap, and then work my way up as I gain more experience. Just today, I talked to a man, and got another web project and a half.. It works well if your friend works in a computer store! Many people ask him if he knows someone who makes web pages, and he tells them all "yes, I do"

---Ralph van den Berg
visit RalphvandenBerg.com

ken's picture

And...

...If you get too much work, we can help you out!