Re: yikes! how much do i charge?

Liliane--

For a 25-page site, $1000 isn't even in the ball park. My advice: don't
condider this project at that price.

>From your description, it sounds like this potential client is looking for
someone to put up a site and to maintain and develop it on a long term
basis.

Reading between the lines, it also sounds like this client may not be
someone easy to deal with on a long term basis, so be on guard.

I'd suggest that you offer to put up a smaller site -- part of what they
ultimately want -- at an agreed upon price. Say, for example, 5-7 pages. If
that works out well for you and the client, then you could proceed to Phase
II. Otherwise, sayonara.

Some designers set up a fee schedule that specifies in detail what items
and how many: e.g, how many buttons, how many links, how many graphics,
etc., etc.. Others prefer a more global approach. Go with whichever you're
most comfortable, but be sure it's not open ended. That is, be sure it's
clear what is/isn't included. For example, a "page" can be 500 pixels long,
or 5,000 pixels long. Also, you may find that you can't adequately re-touch
the digital photos, or that it would be easier to create new images than
touch up their old ones.

Also, you may want to make inquiries regarding what some of the specialized
services would cost. For example, you could find a service that scans
photos for X dollars per image. Then, you could either have the client
outsource that part of the work, or you could do it (at a separate charge
or as part of a global charge), or some combination. Again, don't make it
open-ended. Give yourself an out. Your main focus is designing the web
site, not necessarily dealing with all these components which can be done
elsewhere.


Regarding search engines, there are several services that will submit URLs.
Some will do a limited submission without charge, and an extensive
submission for a fee. I'd suggest getting that info and then letting the
client decide whether or not to use the service. Also, be sure not to get
caught in the middle: e.g., don't give any guarantees that their site will
end up high on a search list. If a comapmy that specializes in this area
wants to guarantee it, fine; but your job is designing the site, not
dealing with search engines.


Also, I would advise not using copyrighted material without permission. If
you want to use something from another site, ask the owner's permission,
etc.. And make this policy clear to your client.



--Jeff


>Ok, I've come to you guys seeking advice with another very important
>question...here's the background:
>
>I just got my 1st  "real" paying client and am intent upon delivering a
>great professional site for them.   Get this:   they've been waiting since
>October for this high school student to finish  a very rudimentary one he
>started for them.   He had taken the navigation graphics and layout off
>someone else's site, was going to scan their info, post it to  the pages
>(10 at most I think), and  charge them $600 for it.    They finally gave up
>on him.   Interestingly, this is the second such story I've heard in the
>past few months.
>
> At the initial meeting I found that they needed not only "Web Design" but
>for me to virtually design their internet marketing plan, author/edit
>informational and sales text,  take and re-touch digital photographs, create
>interactive elements, image maps, style sheets, frames, 3d creation and
>animation;  create custom images and clean up some they already had, and lay
>out a customer service plan and messages/forms/orders routing.   This, plus
>they want me to do the magic webposition  thing and submit to the major
>search engines on a regular basis.   The site would be about 25 pages to
>begin with  AND they saw the site expanding rapidly.   Oh, and they want me
>to host it too (I'm a reseller).
>
> Now, I can know I can roll up my sleeves and give them what they want and
>more,  but how the heck much do I charge them for it? The clients waiting
>for my proposal  and I don't have a clue!   This kinda happened faster than
>I expected and I'm not quite prepared.
>
>Can you seasoned pros help me out here?.   The last thing they said was that
>if I could do it for $1000 they knew the owner would agree.   Is this a fair
>price for a professional site which would include all of the above?
>Remember, I am just starting out...HEEELLLPPP  PLEASE GUYS.
>
>Thanks again...
>
>Liliane

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