First Client!! Now.. How much do I charge???

12 years ago

Hello Andrew...first, Hosting Cost at a place like Host Gator or GoDaddy is laughably cheap. So your actual costs there are not a factor in your decision. What the client expects a site to cost, well thats another matter.

As far as the rest of it, you would need to give a lot more detail about the scope and nature of the site to get into how much....ie: What does it cost to build a house.

Hope that helps a little tiny bit.

David Rodwell

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Kingfish85

12 years ago

Originally Posted by tooAlive

I've recently jumped into the web design industry

How much to charge/estimate the cost of the site

Best way to host the site, and how to combine the hosting cost with the project cost

It's my first time getting into this business, so all help is greatly appreciated. I might not know everything there is know about building websites, but I am honest, and if there's something I can't do, I'll be sure to help my client find the right person.

Not looking to make a quick buck - I'm genuinely interested in what's best for my customer.

All feedback/words of advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

- Andrew

Your price should reflect your experience. Have you ever built an e-commerce site before? You can only base your hosting decisions off of what kind of traffic the site gets, database action, memory usage, cpu usage etc.

You could probably start out with shared hosting, but once it starts growing in size & users, shared hosting isn't going to cut it.

You mention a VPS, do you have experience managing a server? A quality managed VPS is going to set you back AT LEAST $60 a month. I personally wouldn't use any companies A. offering unlimited disk space/ bandwidth, or B. a company selling a VPS for $10 a month.

There are a few WSO threads in the WSO section, read the entire threads before deciding, and I'll leave it at that for the WSO's.

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Dan Allard

12 years ago

Congratulations on landing your first client!

For an eccomerce site I wouldn't charge less than $1,000 set up. You have to consider how much work dealing with local clients can be. They'll want revisions, they'll call you months after to change a few things or add/delete a page, you'll have to show them how to use it...I went into offline thinking I could charge $500 or less for a website but now I've realized the offline world is totally different than the Warrior Forum and online market. Local clients usually don't understand websites so they don't know what they want. That's been my experience so far anyways. Now I wouldn't even consider selling a website for $500 to an offline client, it just wouldn't be profitable. Of course if you have a solid sales funnel then it might be worth it to lose some money on the front end sale (website).

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Danny Cutts

12 years ago

wow just what the industry needs another chancer...

Are you sure you have the skills to carry out the task in hand?

If you are then you will know how long it will take you and then you should know how much to charge...

Or you could just phone round other companies that offer similiar services and see what they charge...

But please ensure that the customer is getting the best possible service and if you don't think you can pull it off don't do it....

I have picked up a lot of SEO work from companies that say they can do something charge through the nose for it and then cant get results....

Good luck

Danny

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Mike Hill

12 years ago

You should have had those variables worked out before looking for clients... including your limitations. I'm sure your client would be pissed if they saw this post of yours.

This is a classic case of "happenstance" and you should have been upfront and honest with your potential client.

Now you're scarred and want Warriors to bail you out by giving you all the answers about what to do and how much to charge...

Sorry but it's the truth!

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tooAlive

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Mike Hill

You should have had those variables worked out before looking for clients... including your limitations. I'm sure your client would be pissed if they saw this post of yours.

This is a classic case of "happenstance" and you should have been upfront and honest with your potential client.

Now you're scarred and want Warriors to bail you out by giving you all the answers about what to do and how much to charge...

Sorry but it's the truth!

Well, I didn't actually go looking for clients.

I was talking to a friend about my personal websites, and asked him if he knew anybody that wanted one, as I could offer my services to them.

As it turns out, one of his clients was in fact looking for a website, and he mentioned me.

I haven't contacted this person yet, and just know what he told me his client wanted. That's why I wanted to ask on here first, to get an idea of what I was (potentially) getting myself into.

I would never offer services that I'm not 100% sure I can deliver.

Originally Posted by Mike Hill

What should have happened was he should have offered 10 clients FREE services to build a portfolio and his skills. During this time he would have been able to work out the average time it takes to do this line of work, what he's good at etc...

That's actually what I told my friend I'd be willing to do, and is what he told his client.

But an eCommerce website is not really something I can offer for free, as it will cost me to produce. Unlike the current themes I already own and can whip up a quick sample with.

But yes, I originally had intended to offer free samples, as the only costs I was looking at were the ~$10 for the domain, and the shared hosting costs that I'm already paying for.

Thanks

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bpsw

12 years ago

Everybody has to start somewhere. But I do agree be honest with you client. Rule of thumb is be fair to your client and to yourself. Charge for your time and give your client your full efforts. If you can't handle the job then turn it down until your skill set is ready. I would suggest building a few ecommerce sites before you take on clients...

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Mike Hill

12 years ago

Originally Posted by bpsw

Everybody has to start somewhere. But I do agree be honest with you client. Rule of thumb is be fair to your client and to yourself. Charge for your time and give your client your full efforts. If you can't handle the job then turn it down until your skill set is ready. I would suggest building a few ecommerce sites before you take on clients...

Yes you're right, everyone has to start somewhere... plumbers, electricians and carpenters have to apprentice because they don't have the skill set or knowledge to do the job alone.

What should have happened was he should have offered 10 clients FREE services to build a portfolio and his skills. During this time he would have been able to work out the average time it takes to do this line of work, what he's good at etc...

Yes, everyone has to start somewhere but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to start at the middle of the road...

You have to put in your time and pay your dues ... during that time you are building your skills and your reputation. Then it's easy to talk to people and charge what you're worth for real!

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studlee46

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Mike Hill

Yes you're right, everyone has to start somewhere... plumbers, electricians and carpenters have to apprentice because they don't have the skill set or knowledge to do the job alone.

What should have happened was he should have offered 10 clients FREE services to build a portfolio and his skills. During this time he would have been able to work out the average time it takes to do this line of work, what he's good at etc...

Yes, everyone has to start somewhere but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to start at the middle of the road...

You have to put in your time and pay your dues ... during that time you are building your skills and your reputation. Then it's easy to talk to people and charge what you're worth for real!

You're wrong. You have no idea what his skill sets are when it comes to web design. You don't know how long he made his own sites before taking on clients? You don't know how intelligent he is. Most things on a computer, you can learn yourself, at home. That is your "apprentice". I disagree with the giving your services out free as well (unless you are a COMPLETE newb and plan on delivering a horrible product). The "client" is still getting a quality website, one way or another. Will he spend 10 more hours on the project than what was budgeted? Maybe. That's where you get your experience from... by DOING. I'm tired of seeing people bash people like this. (Granted there are people who do deserve it by saying "I just landed an SEO client and promised them #1 in 3 months... Now what?") But this guy is just starting out and is motivated. Go get em.

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tooAlive

12 years ago

Originally Posted by studlee46

You're wrong. You have no idea what his skill sets are when it comes to web design. You don't know how long he made his own sites before taking on clients? You don't know how intelligent he is. Most things on a computer, you can learn yourself, at home. That is your "apprentice". I disagree with the giving your services out free as well (unless you are a COMPLETE newb and plan on delivering a horrible product). The "client" is still getting a quality website, one way or another. Will he spend 10 more hours on the project than what was budgeted? Maybe. That's where you get your experience from... by DOING. I'm tired of seeing people bash people like this. (Granted there are people who do deserve it by saying "I just landed an SEO client and promised them #1 in 3 months... Now what?") But this guy is just starting out and is motivated. Go get em.

Thanks you, that was quite inspiring.

Although I do think I'll pass on this project. I currently have another job, and taking on such a big responsibility isn't something I'd like to do. Specially when there's so much learning involved.

As far as the free samples go, I thought about using them when I went to look for business. As in, "Here's what I can do for you. This could be your business, your logo, ect.. for $x.xx. What do you think?"

In the meantime, I'll be practicing setting up some eCommerce themes of my own. So if the opportunity does arise again, I'll be ready.

Thanks again guys, you've all been very helpful.

Originally Posted by everydayreviews

I'm reading everyone's responses. A lot of wise things are being said. I actually was thinking the same thing about web development. I still think of myself as a newbie, but I am very confident I can set up a small business site and sync it with social marketing to attract more customers. I set up the website YESTERDAY, made a video and stuff. Next step would be to order business cards to pass out locally, but first, I am going to make a free site for my father in law, who owns 7 dry cleaners, interestingly, he doesn't have any websites for them.
But yea, I was also planning on just putting those sites on my shared hosting account. They have been pretty reliable lately and I don't see any of the small business sites getting a bunch of traffic.
I am charging $500 for set up, hosting, domain, email, etc and $120 for every year after.
Syncplete Media | Get your business synced. I am probably going to start a new thread on this because I also need advice.

That's pretty much what I had intended to do originally, will local small businesses that didn't have websites or advertising.

Your site looks great and I wish you the best with your new venture!

Thanks
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everydayreviews

12 years ago

Originally Posted by tooAlive

Thanks you, that was quite inspiring.

Although I do think I'll pass on this project. I currently have another job, and taking on such a big responsibility isn't something I'd like to do. Specially when there's so much learning involved.

As far as the free samples go, I thought about using them when I went to look for business. As in, "Here's what I can do for you. This could be your business, your logo, ect.. for .xx. What do you think?"

In the meantime, I'll be practicing setting up some eCommerce themes of my own. So if the opportunity does arise again, I'll be ready.

Thanks again guys, you've all been very helpful.

That's pretty much what I had intended to do originally, will local small businesses that didn't have websites or advertising.

Your site looks great and I wish you the best with your new venture!

Thanks! you too. Maybe we should keep in touch since we are pretty much doing the same thing, actually looks like we're doing exactly the same thing. It'll be good to learn from each others mistakes

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tooAlive

12 years ago

Thanks for the great responses guys, definitely a lot of food for thought.

Had it not been for the eCommerce side of things, I wouldn't hesitate to take on the project. Specially since I've never dealt with any of it before. And as much as I'd like to make my first sale, I don't think I'd be doing myself or my client any good by jumping into a situation I can't chew.

Now I'm thinking about inventory, the reliability/stability of the payment processor, and the managing side of things. It makes my head spin a little bit lol.

And no, I've never managed a VPS before. I do know they're quite expensive (compared to shared hosting), but that's as far as my knowledge about VPS's go.

I also considered outsourcing part of it, but I'd hate to be caught in the middle of a client/outsourcer scenario.

I'd love to hear more feedback, but I do think I'll be passing this one up.

Thanks
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Kay King 12 years ago

I think you are wise to pass on this one - but it does highlight some things you can focus on learning so you'll be ready for the next complex project.

Honestly, most people wouldn't be able to see beyond the money and WOULD end up in outsourcing hell. Good choice.

kay
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John Romaine

12 years ago

Mate, why not spend the time and set one up in your own time.

That way you ...

1. Can make mistakes without any stress
2. Learn the process
3. Build confidence within yourself
4. Possibly use it within your initial portfolio

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skyline191

12 years ago

I also think you are wise to pass on this one - but it does highlight some things you can focus on learning so you'll be ready for the next complex project.

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everydayreviews

12 years ago

I'm reading everyone's responses. A lot of wise things are being said. I actually was thinking the same thing about web development. I still think of myself as a newbie, but I am very confident I can set up a small business site and sync it with social marketing to attract more customers. I set up the website YESTERDAY, made a video and stuff. Next step would be to order business cards to pass out locally, but first, I am going to make a free site for my father in law, who owns 7 dry cleaners, interestingly, he doesn't have any websites for them.
But yea, I was also planning on just putting those sites on my shared hosting account. They have been pretty reliable lately and I don't see any of the small business sites getting a bunch of traffic.
I am charging $500 for set up, hosting, domain, email, etc and $120 for every year after.
Syncplete Media | Get your business synced. I am probably going to start a new thread on this because I also need advice.

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