Webmaster / Programming Rates?

[kevinj]

I have a meeting with a potential client tomorrow and need to get an idea of going rates for web design and for web programming. Anyone have any leads for me to see some data on this?

Thanks,
Kevin

[lZakl]

You might consider what they want.

I have a flat rate that I charge for a “pre designed” template I have in my files. Also I have a flat rate that I charge for a “static” index with no dynamic content.

I also charge a fraction more for researching and doing my best to get the site SEO’d.

Every Javascript function, (unless chosen from a pre-made set of Javascript templates I have set up for customers to flip through and view) costs.

I charge a “sliding scale” per hour charge for CGI or server-side scripting. My “sliding scale” is set up so the more complicated the script, and the longer I quote it will take, the lower the hourly charge. So the more they buy, the more they save ;0)

Also, custom graphics, if required, (by custom, I mean more than just what I can put together in Photoshop in a matter of minutes... Those I don’t charge for) Meaning things like complicated image maps, headers, personalized menu items that are personified to the company or individual, etc. I also charge on a sliding-scale.

Also the more pages, Static or Dynamic, the less I charge per-page. The work comes from getting the site templates set up and laid out. Once that is done, adding pages is easy, therefor you can charge less for them, and this makes for an enticing hook to sell your customer on. Again “Well sir, the more you buy, the more you save. The cost to you comes in setting up the site.” (Just like in the printing business, once the template is made, the plates are burned, and on the press, if the customer wants more copies, you’re only out the cost of the paper. The setup is already paid for.)

I can’t really give you rates, well because I don’t know what your work is worth. Me personally? I charge a little higher than the other local businesses, but then none of them offer databases, scripting, etc.

Just ask yourself:

If I knew nothing about the web, and I wanted a page from someone who does web pages like I do now, what would I pay? A lot? A little? I you don’t know, show yourself to a few people who HAVE purchased websites, and ask THEM what they’d pay for specific items... I did. And I have a very detailed, easy to understand pricing system because of it.

Hope this helps :0)

-- Zak

[kevinj]

Thanks Zak for such a detailed response. I currently have one hourly price for html work and one hourly price for scripting/programming. That's served me ok to this point, but I need to get more detailed and break things down more. Any idea where I can see general numbers on web work charges?