So you’re ready to provide website design and maintenance as a service – smart move! There are millions of users on WordPress and it’s popularity is constantly growing. That means the opportunity to earn good money providing WordPress services is wide open.
Before you can offer your services for hire you must choose your rates. Here is a checklist to help you decide what rate to charge:
Consider Your Market’s Budget
There’s no point charging a rate higher than your market can afford. It can also be a bad idea to highly under-charge in a market that expects a certain price point. If you are lower or higher than they expect it can cost you in lost clients.
Consider How Much It Will Cost to Reach Your Market
Consider to the cost of reaching your market and build that into the return on investment you need to make through your rates. You’ll need to advertise to reach your market.
Research Your Direct Competition and Their Rates
Of course one of the first places you should look at to determine your rates is your competition. Check out what they are charging and determine where you fit in comparison.
Estimate a Project Start to Finish in Time
You need to understand how much time a project is going to take you from start to finish before you can accurately determine how much to charge. If you’ve never done a start to finish project before it would be a good idea to do some practice runs or even volunteer or do highly discounted projects so you can track the time it takes to complete. Or even trade services to gain the experience.
Consider Additional Costs Such as Graphics & Stock Photos
If you are hiring a graphic designer or buying stock photos, etc for the site design you need to build them into the costs.
Consider Admin Time For Emails, Phone Calls, Etc
Many website designers or freelancers don’t consider the time they’ll spend consulting with clients over the phone or through email. Build these into your rates.
Determine Your Rate Structure: Hourly or Per Project
Will you charge hourly or for a full project. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Interview Potential Clients to Determine What They’re Willing to Pay
Can you connect with people who’ve already paid for the services you want to charge for.
Determine Your Minimum Expected Rates
What is the minimum you are willing to work for – this is your starting point.
Determine Your ‘Beyond Expectations’ Rate
What is your dream rate. What would be a rate that is greatly beyond your expectations. Keep this in mind and go for it in by creating a high value package.
Determine Your ‘Standard Rate’ While Leaving It Open For Additional Services
Some potential clients won’t be able to go for your full package so create a standard rate for those who need a taste of your services.
Determine Your Ideal Client & Create a Questionnaire to Qualify Potential Clients
Don’t forget to figure out exactly who you want to work with. Then create a questionnaire that will allow you to decide what potential clients will be best to work with you. This will help you find your ideal clients and allow you to recognize clients who are not your best fit.
Determining your rates as a website designer can be a frustrating process. Just be aware that you can change them later. Sometimes the easiest way to figure it out is to just get going and test out what works for you.
Before you can offer your services for hire you must choose your rates. Here is a checklist to help you decide what rate to charge:
Consider Your Market’s Budget
There’s no point charging a rate higher than your market can afford. It can also be a bad idea to highly under-charge in a market that expects a certain price point. If you are lower or higher than they expect it can cost you in lost clients.
Consider How Much It Will Cost to Reach Your Market
Consider to the cost of reaching your market and build that into the return on investment you need to make through your rates. You’ll need to advertise to reach your market.
Research Your Direct Competition and Their Rates
Of course one of the first places you should look at to determine your rates is your competition. Check out what they are charging and determine where you fit in comparison.
Estimate a Project Start to Finish in Time
You need to understand how much time a project is going to take you from start to finish before you can accurately determine how much to charge. If you’ve never done a start to finish project before it would be a good idea to do some practice runs or even volunteer or do highly discounted projects so you can track the time it takes to complete. Or even trade services to gain the experience.
Consider Additional Costs Such as Graphics & Stock Photos
If you are hiring a graphic designer or buying stock photos, etc for the site design you need to build them into the costs.
Consider Admin Time For Emails, Phone Calls, Etc
Many website designers or freelancers don’t consider the time they’ll spend consulting with clients over the phone or through email. Build these into your rates.
Determine Your Rate Structure: Hourly or Per Project
Will you charge hourly or for a full project. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Interview Potential Clients to Determine What They’re Willing to Pay
Can you connect with people who’ve already paid for the services you want to charge for.
Determine Your Minimum Expected Rates
What is the minimum you are willing to work for – this is your starting point.
Determine Your ‘Beyond Expectations’ Rate
What is your dream rate. What would be a rate that is greatly beyond your expectations. Keep this in mind and go for it in by creating a high value package.
Determine Your ‘Standard Rate’ While Leaving It Open For Additional Services
Some potential clients won’t be able to go for your full package so create a standard rate for those who need a taste of your services.
Determine Your Ideal Client & Create a Questionnaire to Qualify Potential Clients
Don’t forget to figure out exactly who you want to work with. Then create a questionnaire that will allow you to decide what potential clients will be best to work with you. This will help you find your ideal clients and allow you to recognize clients who are not your best fit.
Determining your rates as a website designer can be a frustrating process. Just be aware that you can change them later. Sometimes the easiest way to figure it out is to just get going and test out what works for you.
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