JohnKelly - 2:40 am on Nov 14, 2005 (gmt 0)

If you offer custom-built sites (and not template brochure type sites), then knowing the client's budget is essential.

After getting some basic information on what they need, I *always* ask the client what their budget and timeframe are.

If the clients doesn't supply the information, then I know they're simply window shopping.

For example, two different clients are asking for an ecommerce web site. One client has a budget of $5000, the other a budget of $50,000. Both can get a site, however the one with the larger budget will get a much larger site with more features.

If a client with a larger budget tries to get a site on the cheap buy not stating the actual budget, they will be disappointed with what they received. If their competitors spent more on their sites, the low-balling client could find themselves out of business.

<added>
If you were hiring a contractor for a custom home to be built, at some point during the interview process the contractor will ask about the prospective homeowner's budget. No sense attempting champagne designs with a grape juice budget!
</added>