Forum Moderators: LifeinAsia
The site features columns by about 10 or 12 people that need updating once or twice a month, plus other updates now & then. No forums, java, flash, or anything like that.
The site desperately needs some recoding because it is extremely slow. I would like to tell the magazine's publisher this & get paid for modernizing & recoding it to proper CSS standards.
I'm no expert but I've been doing websites for about 6 years, and have been running a medical reference website the last 4 years. I also wrote the search code in php that makes it run; sticky me if you would like the url.
I have no idea how much to ask for. I appreciate any advice you all have for me!
[edited by: stuntdubl at 2:19 am (utc) on July 2, 2004]
[edit reason] widgetized [/edit]
2. Ask for a set list of duties/responsibilities in writing.
3. Offer your own goals and objectives.
4. Finally make sure they have a profit-sharing plan, so that as you gradually improve the profit of the site, so you get a benefit of that.
Put it in WRITING
It's too ez to get stuck on low pay.
4. Finally make sure they have a profit-sharing plan, so that as you gradually improve the profit of the site, so you get a benefit of that.
Are you kidding me? As a business owner I would NEVER enter into a profit sharing arrangement with a webmaster, SEO, or other. Most smart business owners don't - employees get paid a specific wage to do a specific job. How much I make is of no concern to you.
To the original poster, ask for a specific salary based on your region, experience, and how much you want to make - if they can pay you what you want, great. If they want to negotiate go for it but don't settle for less than what you think you deserve. If they can't pay you what you want (or need) then don't take the job. But don't even suggest a profit sharing model, any business owner worth their weight in salt would boot you out the door immediately.
Since I've proven that I know how to code a website for speed, I think I should get at least as much money as the previous webmaster. I emailed the publisher back & said I thought the amount she's been paying is reasonable. Waiting to hear further.
Have you done some research on their financial side?
Verify that they are not pulling a fast one on you and will close the door tomorrow
Verify that you are not the one filling in while they are preparing for a chapter 7
Ask the previous Webmaster for his/her in depth reasons for leaving (aside $)
Good luck
So what's the problem ... the figure she quoted was really low to begin with & she acts like she doesn't even want to pay that much ... I suspect she's collecting quotes from other people, which she has the right to do. I am not going to pursue it unless she decides to pay me at least as much as she paid the webmaster who left.
Thanks everybody!
People who say this kind of thing should generally be avoided anyway ...
I go with digitalv ..ask a fair price ...percentages of profit are stupid and an invitation for one side to feel suspicious and the other to lie ...
And ..like the man said "whats it to do with etc" ..
Personally I wouldn't work for her ..sounds cheap .
So let's get this straight: They want you to do brilliantly everything the other webmaster did badly. That gets you the same or less $ as the previous webmaster? How much money is at stake at this website? Are we talking about low thousands or more? Is the website a valuable part of the company or just an ornament? If valuable, how much is it worth? If not valuable, do they want to make this a profit-center or keep it as a costly ornament? (if ornament then skip to bottom)
If it's valuable and there is the prospect of a turnaround you need to start playing some hardball. Give them some concrete examples of why you are the one to turn this thing around. What about your other site you have--does it make money? Are you a proven winner? Convince them that you are it. Get a ballpark figure of how much this is worth to them.
Get a full, long list of ALL your responsibilities. Make sure to write down how the last webmaster screwed up each item. Go through each item, about how much work it is, about why you are going to be doing a better job then the last person and your new employer will be happy because as a result you will be increasing the value of the website, make them look good etc. Get them excited. When you're done with this huge list and everything you are going to do and how great this is going to be etc. ... THEN you go back to salary.
If you do it right their salary quote will look ridiculous. Now they will be on the defensive. Say that you are willing to take a lower salary than you normally would (more than what they quoted you still) if there are performace incentives/bonuses. I guarantee that if you do this effectively you will end up with at least the numbers you are looking for (if not more) + some additional respect because you didn;t let them force-feed you an offer.
The reason is that most employers look at value not just price. Right now they feel BURNED by the last webmaster at the price they paid. That's why they want to pay you LESS, because they don't want to get burned like that again. After all, a webmaster is a webmaster right? You have to change that whole mindset around.
Good luck!
*** Then again if you are absolutely desperate ignore all that, plead for a position and consider yourself lucky to have a job. ***
*** Then again if you are absolutely desperate ignore all that, plead for a position and consider yourself lucky to have a job. ***
Beware of people who give you hard and fast rules. Everything is negotiable, nothing is for sure.
Don't take one penny less than fair market value for your services. If they won't pay, walk away and let them be someone else's headache.
