| Price… This is a major consideration for both | | | | Web design companies that have a good image and |
| web designers and their clients. Deciding how much | | | | are known for completing high quality work are also |
| you will charge for your services is very important | | | | able to charge clients more than other, less reputable, |
| because prices that are too high will likely discourage | | | | companies. You must, however, ensure that your |
| potential clients and prices that are too low will not | | | | prices remain at a reasonable level. |
| give you sufficient repayment for your time and | | | | Web Design Factor #4: Maintenance and follow-up. |
| effort. If you work for a Web Design company, then | | | | Some clients request that you continue to maintain |
| this may not be a major problem for you because | | | | and update the site that you have created for them |
| you are most likely not part of the department that | | | | after you have completed their project. In such a |
| decides the company's pricing policy. If, however, you | | | | situation, you or your web design company should |
| are a freelance web designer, then you must decide | | | | obtain a separate contract for the maintenance |
| for yourself how much to charge for each project | | | | work, and charge accordingly. |
| that you undertake. There are a few factors that | | | | Web Design Factor #5: The current market rate. You |
| need to be considered when attempting to decide | | | | should base your rate on the current rate that other |
| how much your time is worth, a few of which are | | | | designers are charging for similar projects. If your |
| shown below. | | | | rate is too much higher than the market rate, your |
| Web Design Factor #1: Project requirements. In order | | | | client may decide to seek the services of someone |
| to determine the value of the project that you will | | | | who charges less. Try to obtain information about |
| undertake, you have to know the requirements and | | | | the pricing and salaries of web design companies that |
| details of the project, such as how much time it will | | | | operate on your a similar level to yours and work out |
| take for you to complete the project and how much | | | | your pricing strategy accordingly. |
| effort you will have to put into completing it. Here | | | | Web Design Factor #6: Your expected earnings. The |
| are some questions to ask yourself: | | | | amount that you wish to earn for the month or from |
| • What is the total number of web pages | | | | a particular project will also affect your price. If you |
| you will have to create? | | | | need to meet some financial goal or requirement, |
| • Do your clients require you to create | | | | then you can vary the amount you charge according |
| original images or designs for them? | | | | to your needs. |
| • Is the content for the project provided by | | | | Rules of Thumb |
| your client or will you have to create your own | | | | There are some things that you should always |
| content for them? | | | | consider before you decide to accept a project and |
| • Does the client require other services such | | | | also in deciding how to price your projects. Both you |
| as programming, Flash animations or other types of | | | | and your web design company should always |
| media? | | | | consider the following when accepting new work: |
| The answers to these questions along with the total | | | | 1. Always ensure that you can complete any projects |
| amount of effort you will have to spend on the | | | | that you accept in time. If you are unable to meet |
| project should provide you with a guide as to how to | | | | the deadline or any project requirements, then you |
| price your services. | | | | should not accept the project. |
| Web Design Factor #2: Deadlines. It is common | | | | 2. Always obtain a contract from your buyer that |
| practice to charge clients more if they require that | | | | clearly sets out the details of the project. Doing more |
| you complete their project in a short period of time. | | | | work than you agreed to is never a pleasant |
| The less time you have to complete it, the higher | | | | experience. |
| your price. However, it is important to remember | | | | 3. Have personal integrity. Your clients pay for you to |
| that you must be able to hand in the completed | | | | meet their requirements and if you accept a project, |
| project on time. | | | | then you agree to meet those requirements. If you |
| Web Design Factor #3: Prior experience. Any prior | | | | are unable to meet them, you should inform them |
| experience that you have that is relevant to a | | | | immediately. |
| project will allow you to price your services higher. | | | | |