Website design for local businesses: how much should I charge?

4 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
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Hi all,

I've gone through the process of setting up a self-hosted website using Wordpress a couple times now. In the process I've created a couple of decent-looking websites. Recently a friend of mine decided he wanted a website, and I set it up for him - I charged $200 as a flat fee for the whole project. I had the site running in a few hours and my friend was happy with the site.

It occurs to me now that I have a skill that can be monetized - setting up websites for local businesses. I will be using free Wordpress themes, so I can present the client with hundreds of different looks for their website. Using wordpress should enable me to add whatever functionality the client wants - contact form, twitter feed, shopping cart, etc.

So if I start advertising "website design for local businesses" on Craigslist, how much should I charge for the whole service? Does it depend on the required functionality of the site?

Thanks!
#businesses #charge #design #local #website
  • Profile picture of the author warrior2003
    I would suggest research your local competition. Also, depends on the niche you go after. I would definatley target a few niches at first to build up your portfolio.

    Good Luck
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    • Profile picture of the author doodlesack
      Definitely depends on the business. But I would say make a couple different levels of creation like Basic, Deluxe, Pro or something to give them some options and something you are able to create value from and upsell.

      Definitely quote higher for someone like a dentist or chiropractor Vs a pool hall or mom and pop shop...

      Steve
      infusionpros.com
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  • Profile picture of the author taylormarek
    I'd agree with researching the local competition first. Find what they do best and market your separate strengths. Price competitively, usually $300-$800, and see how it goes from there.
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    • Profile picture of the author Webthings
      I can't comment on prices in USD as I'm in UK, but I can talk in general terms.

      When you're quoting prices to a prospect make sure you "add value" at every possible opportunity. For example, you will produce a site which is SEO optimised for their chosen keywords, and includes full analytics and tracking.

      If you're doing this with WordPress then all you need for that is two free plugins:
      • All in One SEO Pack
      • Google Analytics for WordPress

      We've used them on loads of sites, so know they work well.

      If you use your own analytics account for the tracking then you can additionally charge a (modest) monthly fee to produce a number of monthly reports and email them to your client. This gradually builds you a passive income where the web-design is otherwise potentially a one hit wonder, and gives you an excuse to talk with them on a regular basis to see if they need stuff like autoresponder, offsite SEO, PPC etc.

      They may even want to "add a blog to the website" at a later stage, which is simply achieved for you with a few changes on the dashboard, but offers you the opportunity to help them further by ghost-writing some articles for them.

      HTH.
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