Website cost

aracaris · 03-08-2010, 02:27 AM

I think that the recession probably has a big role to play in sites going for so little. But I also just think it's that people whom need a website built just have no idea how much education, and time it can take to build a decent site.

A lot of people are really just getting desperate work, and many are willing to take pay cuts, even steep ones because it's either that or just not having work. I know I've kept my prices on the low side both because I'm just starting to break into the industry, but also because it seems like a lot of people are finding they have to drop their prices to keep/gain clients.

Still, I'm only willing to go so low, if I wanted to work for minimum wage, I'd go work at McDonalds! This takes a lot of training, and isn't just something you learn and then are for the most part done with your learning, you'll fail eventually if you approach the business in that way, you have to keep learning continually. Plus starting a freelance business does cost money.

I know several times I've quoted somewhat small sites at around $200 only to get told that's too much, or not hear back from the person after that.

3dmagicaldesign · 03-08-2010, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrenfox

I'm shocked to see sites going for $200.00. It is prices like that which make it difficult for this industry to make what it is really worth.

Totally agree!

What about the revisions to the work?
What about the normal extra work that you have to develop on any project?
What about a nice support for your client after you finish the project?

A price like this really makes it difficult for our industry.

expo09 · 03-08-2010, 10:54 AM

One of the problems is that people see adverts for websites for $100 so they think this is all they should pay. What they don't always realise is that a $100 website is VERY basic: maybe a homepage, an about us page and a contact page only.

A professional looking site costs a lot more. It's a problem when you lack experience though (even if you are good), because those who are wiling to pay more will go to someone with a good reputation.

aracaris · 03-08-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expo09

A professional looking site costs a lot more. It's a problem when you lack experience though (even if you are good), because those who are wiling to pay more will go to someone with a good reputation.

Yes I agree, even when you're a freelancer you can get stuck with that old catch 22 of needing experience to get the work you need to get experience. Really though, I think this is less of an issue with freelancing than with getting hired by most companies now a days, whom will likely want you to have years of professional experience all ready. Yes, a lot of people will want someone with a good reputation, a lot more work samples in their portfolio, and good references, but at least as a freelancer you might be able to start off doing work for friends and family and branch out from there.

mrandrei · 03-09-2010, 02:02 AM

It really depends on the niche of the site and the type of website you're designing. Is it static or dynamic? Is it information-based or business? I think the normal price for a static website with standard pages should be around 300-400 USD.

brynmuzika · 03-09-2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrandrei

It really depends on the niche of the site and the type of website you're designing. Is it static or dynamic? Is it information-based or business? I think the normal price for a static website with standard pages should be around 300-400 USD.

@mrandrei: The type of website I was designing for my client was a dynamic one. Those are coded without using any CMS applications. I made their websites coded with XHTML, CSS, MySQL and PHP all by myself(database driven). And this only costs $100 each for each website. It took me 3 months to finish all. By the way I was the one who started the thread in this forum.

It's a very frustrating experience.

Here are my projects:

http://www.edzguitarworkshop.com/
http://www.soundhire.edzguitarworkshop.com/
http://www.redsunledtech.com/

Guys, I would like to thank you all for your replies coz' it's a big help for me. Please give some feedback, comments, or suggestions in my works if these really worth to cost for only $100 per website.

Thanks

3dmagicaldesign · 03-09-2010, 02:42 AM

I can't believe it!! did you develop each one of these website per $100 each? from now on you will be my developer, are you interested? lol

aracaris · 03-09-2010, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brynmuzika

@mrandrei: The type of website I was designing for my client was a dynamic one. Those are coded without using any CMS applications. I made their websites coded with XHTML, CSS, MySQL and PHP all by myself(database driven). And this only costs $100 each for each website. It took me 3 months to finish all. By the way I was the one who started the thread in this forum.

It's a very frustrating experience.

Here are my projects:

http://www.edzguitarworkshop.com/
http://www.soundhire.edzguitarworkshop.com/
http://www.redsunledtech.com/

Guys, I would like to thank you all for your replies coz' it's a big help for me. Please give some feedback, comments, or suggestions in my works if these really worth to cost for only $100 per website.

Thanks

OK, after reading this post I'm convinced you have seriously been ripped off, that sounds like A LOT of work for only $100, unless the standard pay for web-designers where you live is very significantly lower than it is in the US. It really looks like you put in a whole lot of work for very very little in return. Even I would be charging a lot more for sites like the ones you've listed, and in my opinion I charge on the lowish side.

3dmagicaldesign · 03-09-2010, 02:58 AM

Where are you from? I think not even a guy from the cheapest part in India would have developed these projects for that money. To be honest, it is very difficult for me to believe this.

brynmuzika · 03-09-2010, 04:15 AM

yeah guys, very UNBELIEVABLE right?? hugh... After a very vast work that I made, I only charged them for that very small amount. When we negotiate about the proj. cost my client asked me for that BIG discount because I'm still a newbie for this business and a fresh graduate of BS Information Technology. lol

@3dmagicaldesign: I'm from the Philippines. very shocking really shocking and yes you should believe this. I'm not joking, even my friends who are in this kind of industry were shocked also. Thanks for viewing my works by the way.

Well, I've got nothing to do at all. Better luck for me next time.

03-08-2010, 02:27 AM	#11
aracaris Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 71	I think that the recession probably has a big role to play in sites going for so little. But I also just think it's that people whom need a website built just have no idea how much education, and time it can take to build a decent site. A lot of people are really just getting desperate work, and many are willing to take pay cuts, even steep ones because it's either that or just not having work. I know I've kept my prices on the low side both because I'm just starting to break into the industry, but also because it seems like a lot of people are finding they have to drop their prices to keep/gain clients. Still, I'm only willing to go so low, if I wanted to work for minimum wage, I'd go work at McDonalds! This takes a lot of training, and isn't just something you learn and then are for the most part done with your learning, you'll fail eventually if you approach the business in that way, you have to keep learning continually. Plus starting a freelance business does cost money. I know several times I've quoted somewhat small sites at around $200 only to get told that's too much, or not hear back from the person after that. __________________ My Portfolio Samantha Dale Hairstylist Portfolio Last edited by aracaris; 03-08-2010 at 02:30 AM.

03-09-2010, 02:02 AM	#15
mrandrei Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 367	It really depends on the niche of the site and the type of website you're designing. Is it static or dynamic? Is it information-based or business? I think the normal price for a static website with standard pages should be around 300-400 USD. __________________ Celebrity Addresses

03-09-2010, 02:42 AM	#17
3dmagicaldesign Gold Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 268	I can't believe it!! did you develop each one of these website per $100 each? from now on you will be my developer, are you interested? lol __________________ 3D MAGICAL DESIGNS Custom Web Designs \| 3D Architectural Renderings - Follow me on Twitter

03-09-2010, 02:58 AM	#19
3dmagicaldesign Gold Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 268	Where are you from? I think not even a guy from the cheapest part in India would have developed these projects for that money. To be honest, it is very difficult for me to believe this. __________________ 3D MAGICAL DESIGNS Custom Web Designs \| 3D Architectural Renderings - Follow me on Twitter

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03-08-2010, 10:54 AM	#13
expo09 Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 30	One of the problems is that people see adverts for websites for $100 so they think this is all they should pay. What they don't always realise is that a $100 website is VERY basic: maybe a homepage, an about us page and a contact page only. A professional looking site costs a lot more. It's a problem when you lack experience though (even if you are good), because those who are wiling to pay more will go to someone with a good reputation.

03-09-2010, 04:15 AM	#20
brynmuzika Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cebu City Posts: 36	yeah guys, very UNBELIEVABLE right?? hugh... After a very vast work that I made, I only charged them for that very small amount. When we negotiate about the proj. cost my client asked me for that BIG discount because I'm still a newbie for this business and a fresh graduate of BS Information Technology. lol @3dmagicaldesign: I'm from the Philippines. very shocking really shocking and yes you should believe this. I'm not joking, even my friends who are in this kind of industry were shocked also. Thanks for viewing my works by the way. Well, I've got nothing to do at all. Better luck for me next time.