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Web designers, what should I charge for this?

by Kat Bartone
7 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
I have a client for whom I'm going to do a complete website development, and while I can do everything I've listed below, I have no idea what to charge, since this is my first real 'client'.

The job not only will include setting up the wordpress-based website, plugins, etc. but adding all content, photos, adding events, adding monthly newsletter (online), a download directory, incorporating a membership plugin and implementing it (adding members, setting up the limited access areas, etc) - and a full year of maintenance (which includes not only software updates but all content updates).

I will also be including domain registration, web hosting costs, the cost for the premium theme, the cost for the membership plugin, dlguard, etc. It's a complete turnkey solution. The only thing NOT included would be the monthly cost for an autoresponder service if they want that.

Here's the list I've provided to the client, but don't know how to price it. Can anyone guide me on this?

First Phase:

1.Registration of your domain name
2.Contracting of web hosting services
3.Creating domain-specific email addresses
4.Installation of the latest version of the WordPress content management system
5.Installation and activation of a series of plugins (add-in modules to enhance the functionality of your website). Some samples include plugins designed for anti-spam, forms creation, search engine optimization, database backup, site map, ‘sticky’ posts, and more.
6.Adding your header or logo
7.Creating 5 - 6 pages, often including the following: About Us, Contact Us, Resources, Services, and others that are relevant to your site.
8.Uploading and positioning of photos that you provide to us. These photos may need cropping, resizing, or other editing.
9.Uploading and positioning of informational content that you provide to us.
10.Adding links to external resources that you identify.
11.Creating a navigational linking structure so that your visitors can easily move around your website

Second phase:

1.Developing a contact or feedback form for your visitors
2.Creating and populating a directory structure for documents and/or newsletters that you want your visitors to be able to view or download
3.Incorporating the ability to protect your download area
4.Tracking site statistics
5.Integrating membership functionality, so as to allow approved ‘members’ a greater degree of access (to sensitive or private information)
6.Installing, configuring, and populating a photo gallery
7.Setting up, populating, and managing an autoresponder account for sending out periodic newsletters to subscribers
8.Creating an opt-in form for subscribers and linking it to your autoresponder

PLUS one year complete maintenance and content management.


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Thanks for your help,


- Kat Bartone
#charge #designers #web
  • Profile picture of the author Fred_Acker
    Hi Kat,

    It really depends on your design skills. But from what you have posted I'd say start off at $3500 + Annual Maintenance Fee.
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    Right Now. What a wonderful time to start!

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  • Profile picture of the author BrainDance
    Even though you don't have the experience necessarily, and the list is pretty much off the shelf plugins and , Id agree with 3200 plus expenses for any commerical plugins, hosting and domain name, and also factor in phone and support time for the client themselves.

    Most of that 3200 would come from the updating and managing of the site for the year, the other requirements are relatively easy off the shelf plugins, I'm not seeing any custom coding or custom templating, but am seeing a lot of invested time, both short term and long term

    Be sure to set a limit on how many hours a month are included in updating the site
    LindaB
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    ================================
    I am taking on only ecover design work for the next 90 days. Rates are 47.00 for single cover, discounts for multiple..just ask! No payment until completed.     http://www.d27portfolio.com for sample works
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    • Profile picture of the author ripsnorta2
      Kat,

      I recommend that you sit down first and cost out all the incidentals. Domain rego, website hosting costs, that sort of thing. I'd also include the autoresponder if they choose to use one.

      Those are your fixed costs and you'll need to cover them. Provide them to the customer as an itemized list if need be.

      The rest of it gets a bit harder, but the principle is simple. How long is it going to take you to do everything in the list, and how much is your time worth?

      If I was doing this, I would break each item in the list into tasks and estimate how long it was going to take to do them. I'd probably add a little slack into those times to cater for lead time, things going wrong, and other delays.

      Add all that up and multiply by your hourly rate.

      Do that for both phase one and two, and for the maintenance period.

      Maintenance is a bit harder because you don't know what issues are going to crop up. However, again it's important to get this right. You don't want to set a monthly maintenance fee of $500 and spend 100 hours each month solving problems and writing content.

      Most importantly, have a contract with enough wiggle room to increase your prices if it becomes necessary. If hosting costs go up, you shouldn't have to carry that cost. If the customer asks for more than you agreed, you should be able to negotiate a fair deal.
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      Cheers, John

      Codeboss -- Useful Software Tailored For Your Business

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  • Profile picture of the author BrainDance
    this is a groovy little quote generator, its basic but may help
    Web Design Cost: Pricing Calculator: Design Quote
    Linda
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    ================================
    I am taking on only ecover design work for the next 90 days. Rates are 47.00 for single cover, discounts for multiple..just ask! No payment until completed.     http://www.d27portfolio.com for sample works
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    • Profile picture of the author mookinman
      I'd agree... something along the lines of $3500 + annual maintenance fee.....
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      Learn in 2-3 days what most men spend a lifetime trying to figure out.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ralf Skirr
      Originally Posted by BrainDance View Post

      this is a groovy little quote generator, its basic but may help
      Web Design Cost: Pricing Calculator: Design Quote
      Linda
      That's not only a cool calculator, but also an interesting site for freelancers to get new leads.

      Ralf
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      • Profile picture of the author Jim M
        When I started out I researched other web design companies in the area which would be accessable to the client - thne worked out a competitive price that I knew would be acceptable to the client. When you're using open source stuff like wordpress or joomla you just need to be concerned with your time until you get established - if the client does a lot of advertising in magazines its easy to do price comparison - in my area the average local glossy charges about £1000 a page - but it's in the bin next month - is what I always point out - you can get x pages of a website for x from me - and it's there 24/7 - 365 - you know where I'm coming from.

        Just be sure that the client is happy - and you are happy :-)
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        Jim Montgomery www.thepublishing.press
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