How much should I pay for a Wordpress install with...

55 replies
How much could I expect to pay for a Wordpress install with 8 - 10 plugins (the free kind) loaded but no custom template?
Just a template or group of templates out of the free download section at wordpress.org

I'm doing market research and would be grateful if people would share their experiences getting this type of project done.

I need to get a price range of what to expect to pay for the setup - no customization or custom template.

Thanks for sharing your opinion.

Debbie
#install #pay #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Maria Gudelis
    Hi Debbie - I've paid on average $25 to $50 for this type of work (including creating an rss feed over at feedburner and putting the feedburner subscribe button in top right corner of my blog) at - $25 when I have the person do more than one...

    Make sure they put in the xml sitemap for you and change the permalink structure to custom

    /%category%/%postnamne%/

    help you for SEO purposes...
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  • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
    Since wordpress can be installed in minutes and plug-ins are just basically uploading I would not think it would cost very much at all..

    I have done several installs on here for free for people because it only took a few minutes to do...

    James
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Songster
    Thanks James
    But it still takes up someone's time. How much would you charge to install and setup?
    A lot of times we say - oh this only takes a few minutes but in reality it doesn't.

    miaroman - thanks for the advice
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff B
      $20 tops, it's a 30 minute job at most.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
        At LEAST : $50 for a simple install with the additional plugins you are describing... testing and making sure all plugins were installed properly take up quite a bit of time...

        Just my 2cents...

        - Jared
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    • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      Thanks James
      But it still takes up someone's time. How much would you charge to install and setup?
      A lot of times we say - oh this only takes a few minutes but in reality it doesn't.
      That's such a true observation... It may only take a few minutes to upload to a server, but to install, setup a new database, make sure the database name, passwords, etc match, some simple mistake with one of those many variables that are necessary to complete a proper installation, well that can lead to hours of frustrating de-bugging.

      Not to mention adding plugins to a wordpress system... making sure they are the latest versions, double checking each plugin after installing and checking to make sure they function properly...

      To do the job right, it takes at least a full day to properly install and beta-test each function within the Wordpress application...

      I beg to differ with anyone who disagrees... So, what is a day's pay worth to you?


      - Jared
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      • Profile picture of the author Jeff B
        Originally Posted by webdesignhq View Post

        That's such a true observation... It may only take a few minutes to upload to a server, but to install, setup a new database, make sure the database name, passwords, etc match, some simple mistake with one of those many variables that are necessary to complete a proper installation, well that can lead to hours of frustrating de-bugging.

        Not to mention adding plugins to a wordpress system... making sure they are the latest versions, double checking each plugin after installing and checking to make sure they function properly...

        To do the job right, it takes at least a full day to properly install and beta-test each function within the Wordpress application...

        I beg to differ with anyone who disagrees... So, what is a day's pay worth to you? $50, seems a bit low, but if you have other projects going, and are an expert with wordpress, it could be very lucrative...

        Your thoughts???

        - Jared
        It'd take me about 3 minutes to install WordPress through fantastico. Most of the plugins she probably wants, plus many more useful ones, I already have in a plugin folder on my desktop. It'd take me a few more minutes to FTP this folder to her server. It'd take a few more minutes to activate the plugins. Then I could spend the next 20 minutes making sure it all works properly.

        Of course, I've installed WordPress a couple hundred times and have the process streamlined to the max. But, if it takes you a full day to install and test a WordPress site, then maybe you should leave it to someone else.

        Debbie, go to Scriptlance.com and you could probably get the job done for $10-$15.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
          Originally Posted by Jeff B View Post

          It'd take me about 3 minutes
          wow... 3 minutes does not sound like it would satisfy any client...

          P.S. It'd is not a word... I think you were looking for 'It would'
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          • Profile picture of the author indexphp
            Originally Posted by webdesignhq View Post

            wow... 3 minutes does not sound like it would satisfy any client...
            Duhhh... to you it takes a whole DAY, stupid.
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          • Profile picture of the author Jeff B
            Originally Posted by webdesignhq View Post

            wow... 3 minutes does not sound like it would satisfy any client...

            P.S. It'd is not a word... I think you were looking for 'It would'
            it'd - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

            Second of all, I wasn't insulting you, merely suggesting that if it takes you a whole day to install wordpress and some plugins and test them then maybe you should stick to something else.

            As far as satisfying a client with a 3 minute fantastico wordpress install... I don't even know what to say to that. Why waste time doing something manually that fantastico can have done in minutes.

            Even without fantastico, haven't you ever heard of the famous 5 minute wordpress install?

            Installing WordPress WordPress Codex

            WordPress is well known for its ease of installation. Under most circumstances installing WordPress is a very simple process and takes less than five minutes to complete. The following installation guide will help you, whether you go for the Famous 5 Minute Installation, or require the more detailed installation guide.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
          Originally Posted by Jeff B View Post

          It'd take me about 3 minutes to install WordPress through fantastico. But, if it takes you a full day to install and test a WordPress site, then maybe you should leave it to someone else.
          Thanks for the negative comments... very helpful... :rolleyes:

          Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

          I'm doing market research and would be grateful if people would share their experiences getting this type of project done.

          Thanks for sharing your opinion.

          Debbie
          I'm simply trying to help share my knowledge and experience... without being bashed or insulted.

          - Jared Alberghini
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    • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      Thanks James
      But it still takes up someone's time. How much would you charge to install and setup?
      A lot of times we say - oh this only takes a few minutes but in reality it doesn't.

      miaroman - thanks for the advice
      Debbie,
      Thats the thing it really is a few minutes job.. Ok if you have dialup maybe 20 or 30 minutes... But I dont have dialup. I have been building and developing custom built websites for over 15 years so it is not a very hard job at all..

      Login the server = 30 sec
      Setup database = 1 minute
      Upload without Fantastico = 1 minute
      Install = 1 minute
      Upload Plugins = 20 sec each
      Activate Plugins = Wow One Click Takes How Long ?

      I personally would not be interested in doing the job because I would feel as though I am ripping someone off just to do a few minute job that anyone can do very easily. Again I have done it for free for several people on this very forum..

      Now if you want to say "how much would you charge to install, and configure 30 wordpress blogs with 10 plug-ins each" then I would say Ok this is a days job -- $300.00

      James
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  • Profile picture of the author indexphp
    Uhhhh.... I'll do it for free Debbie, because I am a nice person and don't want your money.
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Songster
    Jared - thank you very much for your input. I do agree with the others that it isn't a whole day job but it isn't a 3min job either.

    Just for the record I've installed plenty of Wordpress systems. I'm just trying to find what an acceptable rate is.

    The last one I just did took me about an hour and that was with a little Adsense tweaking. It also contained a couple of plugins that needed to be set up after activating. Also that wasn't using Fantastico - I set up the database.

    So in reality I know how much time it takes. I just need to know what others think is a fair range for rates.

    Lets all play nice. Everyone has an opinion and thats what I am looking for.

    By the way Jared, nice Pumpkin!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      Jared - thank you very much for your input. I do agree with the others that it isn't a whole day job but it isn't a 3min job either.

      Just for the record I've installed plenty of Wordpress systems. I'm just trying to find what an acceptable rate is.

      The last one I just did took me about an hour and that was with a little Adsense tweaking. It also contained a couple of plugins that needed to be set up after activating. Also that wasn't using Fantastico - I set up the database.

      So in reality I know how much time it takes. I just need to know what others think is a fair range for rates.

      Lets all play nice. Everyone has an opinion and thats what I am looking for.

      By the way Jared, nice Pumpkin!!
      Thank you Debbie,

      I think people are not understanding my view on 'it takes a day' to make a client happy...

      From this I mean, it takes a few hours to first seal the deal, then it takes a few hours to get a reply from your client with their ftp username/password... then it takes a few hours to setup and test all the plugins... then you need to tell your client it's all installed and ask them to test it out... then you wait another few hours for a response... then you finalize the deal... if that doesn't take at least one simple day, well, that's where people have been bashing me... and I don't know why...

      Of course it doesn't take all day to install, that should have been obvious, but I was trying to explain everything else that goes along with providing a service to a client...

      - Jared
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      • Profile picture of the author Jeff B
        Originally Posted by webdesignhq View Post

        Thank you Debbie,

        I think people are not understanding my view on 'it takes a day' to make a client happy...

        From this I mean, it takes a few hours to first seal the deal, then it takes a few hours to get a reply from your client with their ftp username/password... then it takes a few hours to setup and test all the plugins... then you need to tell your client it's all installed and ask them to test it out... then you wait another few hours for a response... then you finalize the deal... if that doesn't take at least one simple day, well, that's where people have been bashing me... and I don't know why...

        - Jared

        I wasn't really bashing you, but if you think I was then I apologize for you thinking that.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael D
    The range could be all over the place. If you give them a list of plugins and not the actual plugins then they would have to go dl them all for the installation. If you provide the plugins then that would save a bit of time. So, with plugins - $30 is fair and without - $40-50.

    You also have to factor in exactly what you need done. If it is just an instal, activate plugins, and test then the $30 to $50 dollar range. But, if you need pages created and widgets setup, ect then obviously more. So it is sort of tough to get a general price range nailed down because all jobs will be a little different.

    Even though it doesn't take a ton of time to do you shouldn't skimp people on this it is like anything else. But you would probably be able to find someone pretty cheap on the bidding sites.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jakehyten
    Free. You can find people on here to do it for free. Have them do it in camtasia so you can see it being done. I would do it but I'm working on another project that is taking ALL my time. But its something you should learn so you can do it to all your blogs. It only takes 5 mins after you learn how to do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Songster
    Jared - You bring up really good points - the contact with the customer.

    I could install dozens of Wordpress "systems" all day long but throw in the client communication and it doubles or triples your time. Thanks for bringing that up. Its still not an all day job but I get your point and its a good one.

    James - Does this mean if I need 30 Wordpress systems you will install them for me for $300? Do we have a deal? I just might ask you to do that.
    Also just activating the plugin by "flipping the switch" isn't going to be enough for a couple of them.
    I created an install that contains most of the plugins I recommend and several extra templates so the install will be as fast as humanly possible. Would you do 30 for $300 - I'll be nice and take the client factor out of the equation. You would get login info - no client contact
    Deal???

    Great info guys - keep the opinions coming. I like what I'm reading
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    • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      Jared - You bring up really good points - the contact with the customer.

      I could install dozens of Wordpress "systems" all day long but throw in the client communication and it doubles or triples your time. Thanks for bringing that up. Its still not an all day job but I get your point and its a good one.

      James - Does this mean if I need 30 Wordpress systems you will install them for me for $300? Do we have a deal? I just might ask you to do that.
      Also just activating the plugin by "flipping the switch" isn't going to be enough for a couple of them.
      I created an install that contains most of the plugins I recommend and several extra templates so the install will be as fast as humanly possible. Would you do 30 for $300 - I'll be nice and take the client factor out of the equation. You would get login info - no client contact
      Deal???

      Great info guys - keep the opinions coming. I like what I'm reading
      Before I make that commitment I need full details on the exact plugins to be installed. You mention a few themes also, so I would need exact details .. Send me a PM if you wish not to display this information in public..

      James
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      it never is just a simple WordPress install, in my experience...the client will always want this tweaked, or that tweaked, an explanation on how to use this and how to use that...so the 3 minute job can turn into hours. I charged and got with no problems, $30 per hour..and I told the client it would take 1 or 2 hours depending on what else they required besides a simple install.
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Songster
    Actually I have already created the site, installed the plugins and themes and then zipped up the created site to be used as the install model.
    Everything is self contained in the zip file.
    Create database, Unzip, install (change the config file), import system info (I have the file) - Done! You won't be able to use Fantasico - but it will be just as fast if not faster.

    I may or may not need a hand with this project. It all depends on how many web sites I can give away. I just don't want to be caught with more than I can handle. A free Wordpress web site & install is going to be a "loss leader" for a product I'm selling

    Let me know if you are interested.
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    • Profile picture of the author Francis Chan
      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      Everything is self contained in the zip file.
      Create database, Unzip, install (change the config file), import system info (I have the file) - Done! You won't be able to use Fantasico - but it will be just as fast if not faster.
      Debbie had already mentioned that using Fantastico is not an option and if all 30 installs are done with different hosting companies there might be some unforeseen hiccups with some hosting companies during the creation of the DB and paths. I personally came across an un-cooperative helpdesk of a hosting company when the default wp config needs to be changed. This waste a lot of time.

      Yes, installing WordPress is a breeze, even with plugins and many will do it for free for a friend but don't forget that Debbie had said she is doing a survey (from her initial post) and how much would one expect to pay.

      I think a fair price to the service would be between $30. And yes I would do it free for a friend.

      And yes Debbie if you need someone to help in installing I would be interested. I have free time next two weeks.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      Actually I have already created the site, installed the plugins and themes and then zipped up the created site to be used as the install model.
      Everything is self contained in the zip file.
      Create database, Unzip, install (change the config file), import system info (I have the file) - Done! You won't be able to use Fantasico - but it will be just as fast if not faster.

      I may or may not need a hand with this project. It all depends on how many web sites I can give away. I just don't want to be caught with more than I can handle. A free Wordpress web site & install is going to be a "loss leader" for a product I'm selling

      Let me know if you are interested.
      Debbie,
      This is not a problem ... But before making a commitment I need the following.

      1. A copy of the zip to test and see exactly what needs done.

      2. Any and All servers for install must have SSH setup.

      This is not a job I would normally do but would be happy to do 30 installs for $300 (depending upon that zip file) just as long as ftp and ssh details are ready, setup and sent to me...

      If you want each install to be Secured (as we all know wordpress itself is not secured) and to have WordPress Secured implimented then there would be an additional cost of $65 per install (this price is only good if you do 30+ installs)

      James
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    Debbie,

    I'm with Jeff and James on this - It's a VERY simple job.

    The biggest factor is the hosting. If it has C-Panel then anything but a token fee is a con.

    I could install 30 with plugins in a hour.

    If it's YOU that needs these doing just get yourself a mass blogging tool like Blog Matrix or Voodoo Blogger or similar and do it all from one centralised place.

    Installing a blog on a Cpanel host is a couple of clicks of the mouse and deciding what to call it and the name of the directory. The plugins are just a quick FTP and then login and click 'activate'.

    In reality this is so simple that I would never pay anyone to do it unless they were also going to do a bunch of extra work on the blog on top of that.

    Andy
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  • Profile picture of the author Andy Fletcher
    As with everything I think you get what you pay for.

    I'm sure someone could do this in a couple of minutes for a few bucks but it depends how well you want it tested. Not all Wordpress themes are compatible with all plugins. Do you want the person installing them to test that kind of stuff? If so, you need to factor in more time and more expense.

    What about configuring the plugins. Pretty much all WP plugins work out of the box but many of them work better with some time spent configuring them. It may also depend on the look at feel of the site for how you want it to behave.

    Don't get me wrong. If all you want is a basic install with one of the most popular themes and the most well used/tested plugins its a few minutes work
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Songster
    Ok Andy this is getting crazy - now you are saying 30 with plugins in one hour?!?!
    Thats silly. That means 2 min for each.
    Ok Andy give me a price - how much would I have to pay you for 30 installs AND if you read my post above you will see I've made it really easy by giving you a "custom zip" that contains everything I need.

    These will be on individual domains so I am sure it will take longer than an hour.

    Should we have an install competition???
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    • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      Ok Andy this is getting crazy - now you are saying 30 with plugins in one hour?!?!
      Thats silly. That means 2 min for each.
      Ok Andy give me a price - how much would I have to pay you for 30 installs AND if you read my post above you will see I've made it really easy by giving you a "custom zip" that contains everything I need.

      These will be on individual domains so I am sure it will take longer than an hour.

      Should we have an install competition???
      I'm not interested in competing with anyone. If you want me to do it - I will happily just to help you out. You want 30 - $200.

      Andy
      p.s. if you do want me to do them I need to know soon as I'm traveling.
      If you need them done at random times - get someone else who can do them in your required timings. I wouldn't normally do such jobs but I like helping people (in this case you).
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  • Profile picture of the author Mohsin Rasool
    Hi Debbie,

    From my own experience i can tell you that for service like this
    it will cost you $25-$30 if your host has fintastico....otherwise
    it may cost upto $50

    For repeat clients or with volume work, you may go special deal
    i.e. even for manual installs you may get each install for $30


    Best Wishes,
    Mohsin Rasool
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  • Profile picture of the author Andy Fletcher
    If all the installs are on the same host then WordpressMU ftw
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    • Profile picture of the author Mohsin Rasool
      Originally Posted by Andy Fletcher View Post

      If all the installs are on the same host then WordpressMU ftw
      Hi Andy,

      It is recommended that WordpressMU would not be used non-tech user at this stage...
      so simple wordpress will be good option to go in my view as it is very stable,
      user friendly and most of the users online know to work with WORDPRESS or
      they can find many many online resources with all HOWto info about wordpress...

      Regards,
      Mohsin Rasool
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      • Profile picture of the author Andy Fletcher
        Originally Posted by Mohsin Rasool View Post

        Hi Andy,

        It is recommended that WordpressMU would not be used non-tech user at this stage...
        so simple wordpress will be good option to go in my view as it is very stable,
        user friendly and most of the users online know to work with WORDPRESS or
        they can find many many online resources with all HOWto info about wordpress...

        Regards,
        Mohsin Rasool
        Since we're talking about getting someone in to set it up I'm assuming they would be a technical user
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        • Profile picture of the author Wakunahum
          Surely there is some benefit for expertise.

          While you could find someone to do it for free, someone charging $15-20 isn't extortion or anything.

          I've known people who have charged $10+ to install scripts which take them a minute or two to do, but part of the cost is their expertise in my opinion.

          I've paid $50 for a minute or two of my doctor's time.
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  • Profile picture of the author ragnartm
    I used several hours simply because the server of my new host is so sloooww, couldn't even upload 1/5th of all the WP files in one go without being logged out and having to upload the rest after relogging in. With a fast ftp server like.. 30-60 minutes i'd say.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kang
    I have full-time help now so I guess that's the best
    thing I would suggest to anybody; leaves you with
    just the thinking and planning part of things, which
    is really cool.

    I never use CPanel to install my wp blogs; I always
    do it the manual way because I want the ability to
    name the dbs properly as I have SO many of those so
    I don't want them all named generically.

    When you outsource the task, make sure you specify
    that they install it MANUALLY, if that's what you're
    looking for.

    Price-wise, I'd think $20 per blog is pretty reasonable.

    Of course, I'm sure you can find people in WF who will
    do it for you for free, but $20 to HIRE someone to do
    is something I would be willing to pay. (IF I need help
    with that.)
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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
    Webdesign...

    I'd, we'd, they'd, and it'd are perfectly legitimate contractions, I believe. But I could be wrong. Anyhow, it'd be interesting to research it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bearded
    It takes much longer to find someone to do it (for free or otherwise) than it takes just to do it.

    I can't see any reason for anyone to hire someone just for this purpose unless they're installing wordpress on 20+ sites.
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Songster
    I want to think everyone who participated in this thread. There are some really good points.

    While everyone here appears to know how to install Wordpress and set up the plugins and themes, there are plenty of people out there who don't.

    Part of my reason for asking in the first place was to determine what the service is worth in the open market.
    There is a difference between what I would pay (because I am quite capable of doing it myself) and what a newbie would pay.

    The newbie price is what I am looking for. I know that I started the thread asking how much I would have to pay and perhaps that led people down the wrong path.

    What I'm really trying to do is establish VALUE
    Whats it worth on the open market?

    If you take Fantastico out of the equation - the install requires the creation of a database, knowledge of FTP, knowing how to handle a zip file on the server, knowing how to and what to modify on the config file. etc. Everyone on this thread obviously knows how to do those things. But there are a lot of newbies out there that don't.

    The value of something is related to the availablilty of the product, the desire to own, and the skill of the purchaser.
    So in the case of a complete Wordpress install.
    • Availablility = wordpress with functional plugins and extra themes (an all in one package) No time spent hunting for plugins etc
    • Desire to own = Do they want a Wordpress web site? Do they want the convience of someone else doing the work?
    • Skill of the purchaser = can they do the install themselves, do they know about creating a database, do they have ftp software to do the job, etc
    Some of you correctly pointed out that while its easy to do an install for a "friend" on WF - usually thats someone who knows how to do it but just wants to farm out the job, when dealing with a newbie there is the extra time invested communicating with them and getting the login info etc.

    So when determining the price and time value of something you have to take into consideration all the factors.

    When I sell a physical products - there are many factors that go into determining the price.
    • Wholesale price
    • shipping cost (for me to get it)
    • cost of CC processing when it sells
    • cost to ship to customer (materials, packing, etc)
    • cost to process the order - my time
    • cost of the store - either online or brick and motar
    • cost of advertising
    There are more factors - but all these things go into determining what the retail price of something should be.

    A service is really not much different. In the case of the wordpress install the scripts and plugins (that I'm using) are free and so are the templates but the time taken to pick them isn't. Nor is the time spent to install it all.
    There is also the time spent dealing with & communicating with the customer.
    The time spent on the install and the skill used. Don't forget there will be a wide variety of hosting enviornments to install on and there maybe some problems with some. Not every install goes smoothly.

    If you have spent time and money learning a task - don't sell yourself short. An electrical contractor doesn't give his knowledge away - its factored into the job.

    So lets try to determine VALUE
    What is that service really worth?

    Bearded
    I can't see any reason for anyone to hire someone just for this purpose unless they're installing wordpress on 20+ sites.
    Reasons can be
    • lack of time
    • lack of skill
    • would just prefer to have someone else do it
    Your statement just undid the sale before the sale was made. Who cares why someone would hire it done?
    Don't ask why someone wants to buy something - just sell it to them
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  • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
    I still stand by my words and prices... I deal with thousands of clients and I fully understand what kind of time it takes..

    I have built website from Free (non-profit orgs) - $35,000.00 and one thing I have always maintained on my scripts is Free Support For Life. I have clients from 8 years ago that I still talk with and provide support and nope they don't pay a cent.. Am I the first one they come to when they want a new site ? Yes!!!

    So I still stand by every word I said ...

    James
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Songster
    James
    I understand your position
    I build ecommerce stores (among others) and I offer free support and training. Those sites are a lot more complicated then Wordpress.
    However I don't build them for free and from what you stated above not all your installs are free either.

    So once again whats the Value of a "ready to go" wordpress site?


    Actually James - You've already stated your idea of value. You are willing to do it for $10 per site but want to do 30 all together to make it worth your while. Am I correct or was that a special friend price?
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Debbie -

      Now that you've defined the reason for the question, I'd say charge the higher end as with those totally new to blogs you will have customer service and questions to answer.

      I've paid $25-$50 for a WP install with and without using Fantastico.

      It comes down to what your time is worth and an install with an hour of customer service is worth more than a simple install and activation of standard plugins.

      You might offer two options - one with a list of resources where they can learn to manage their blog and one at a higher price with personal customer service available.

      kay
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      Sometimes I just want someone to hug me and say...
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    • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      Those sites are a lot more complicated then Wordpress.
      However I don't build them for free and from what you stated above not all your installs are free either.
      I install all of my scripts for my clients free of charge (these are my scripts though and not some free open source code)

      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      Actually James - You've already stated your idea of value. You are willing to do it for $10 per site but want to do 30 all together to make it worth your while. Am I correct or was that a special friend price?
      This would be correct as long as my conditions are met and ftp & ssh is ready to go on the server..

      But I still also suggest security too ...

      James
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      • Profile picture of the author Eric Lorence
        Wouldn't Wordpress MU be better for so many blogs on one server?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Pereira
    As per your opening post - a standard Wordpress install with no customization and 5-10 plugins... If there is Fantastico installed (all my servers have Fantastico, so this is not a problem), I usually pay $5 for them, in bulk of course with a custom logo costing me $2 more on top.

    For the stuff in your opening post without Fantastico, you should aim to pay around $10. Note, this is me looking at it as a webmaster, and with experience of how much I've wanted to (and usually) paid for it in the past.

    Of course, you can charge businesses, or web-unaware users much, much more.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheRealDomainer
    I will do it for you free debie. Just PM me
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      She didn't ask for someone to install a blog for her - she's valuing a product to offer.

      Part of my reason for asking in the first place was to determine what the service is worth in the open market.
      There is a difference between what I would pay (because I am quite capable of doing it myself) and what a newbie would pay.

      The newbie price is what I am looking for. I know that I started the thread asking how much I would have to pay and perhaps that led people down the wrong path.

      What I'm really trying to do is establish VALUE
      Whats it worth on the open market?
      Pricing a service for newbies - and making it profitable - would require charging enough to pay for the time required for customer service issues that will arise in that specific market.
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      ***
      Sometimes I just want someone to hug me and say...
      "It's going to be OK - here's a horse and two million dollars."
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  • Profile picture of the author obiswill
    As you can see the price fluctuates across the board. If you have the time, spend a weeknd leaning wordpress or joomla. Either can easily be learned in a weekend. Once you know it for yourself you will have the option to:

    1. Always do the work yourself (saving money)
    2. Know the value of the work to be done and post a price accordingly (save your time)

    Hope this helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author Debbie Songster
    Thank you Kay

    Thats what I need - although I did enjoy the way the thread developed. I hope to have more installs then what I want to do myself so its nice to know who I can hire to do them for me.

    I'm not worried about the customer service part as this "product" will be attached to a membership - on going support will happen via the membership along with the other material.

    I'm going to attach the free blog to the first months membership but I still need to be able to give it a value.
    Basically its worth more than one month of the membership fee so its a win all the way around for the buyer.

    Thanks again Kay
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    • Profile picture of the author Chri5123
      It is not a very big job at all if you know what you are doing.

      It only would take about 30 mins, don't pay more than $40 for this.

      Just my 2 pence.

      Chris
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    • Profile picture of the author InfoAcademy
      Just a couple more things come to mind (that have eaten up a lot of my time with clients!)

      -- Do they need email set up that will work through their Outlook installation?
      -- Do they want a privacy policy and terms of use?
      -- What tweaks needs to be made to the template? Footer/Sidebar/Etc.
      -- If every page shows up in the menu tabs, you may have to edit the template to disable certain pages (your terms of use wouldn't be a tab). I've found different templates handle this different ways so it can vary how long it takes.
      -- Are you including any kind of autoresponder/email capture?
      -- I also spend time changing the permissions on the different files/folders so they can be edited and then changing them back to be more secure.
      -- Do they need a contact us page configured?

      Hope that helps!

      Best,
      Julie
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    • Profile picture of the author JonathanBoettcher
      LOL

      Originally Posted by Debbie Songster View Post

      although I did enjoy the way the thread developed.
      For a newbie price, I would think $47 fits the ticket. To them it will seem to be a monumental task, and well worth the $47. You can then outsource it for $10 or $15 on Scriptlance and pocket the change.

      Nice deal!
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  • Profile picture of the author rlnorthcutt
    I think its important to note the difference between knowing EXACTLY what you want, and have a rough idea...

    If you know exactly which modules (and why), and are giving someone a list, then it shouldn't take them long (especially if they can use fantastico).

    On the other hand, if you don't know exactly which modules you need, then there should be some time the developer spends with you to help you figure out what you need... and that time needs to be paid for.

    Personally, I charge $50/hour for my web dev and consulting work, and I have had some clients tell me just what they want and others who have spend several hours "learning", brainstorming and coming up with a marketing and content creation plan.

    Never underestimate the importance or value of project planning, even on "small" projects
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  • Profile picture of the author chokyiooi
    Hi Debbie,

    I am interested in your project and would appreciate your consideration.

    I personally have installed 40+ Wordpress systems. With or without Fantastico, a Wordpress install with 10 plugins (no template customization) may take roughly 30 minutes to 1 hour. I have broadband connection, but it still depends on how much work involved to configure those plugins.

    If you are looking for long-term partnership, I am available to work with you immediately full time. My offer is US$10 for each install without minimum order quantity. Will send you a PM and hope to hear from you soon, Thanks!


    Best regards,
    Chokyi Ooi
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