Re: Need help with quote

I'm new to all this, but I've got to agree with you,
Lisa. Seems there's nowhere that gives any kind of
guidelines as to what should be charged for services.
As a result, lots of new folks (myself included)
really aren't sure what's reasonable. We're forced to
hunt around on the web to try to get an average as to
what others are charging. Then we've got to try to
figure out how our abilities and creative talents
match up with the competition and determine what we
should charge from there. That's one of the reasons I
haven't set up a website for services yet. I'd like to
have a better idea of what to reasonably charge for my
services. Plus, I may need to contract out for some
services and want to know ahead of time if I'm being
overcharged.

I understand that this is the basis of competition,
but it'd be nice if there was some kind of definitive
reference as to what's considered a "reasonable rate".
HWG used to have pricing guidelines, but they pulled
'em before I joined. I really wish they'd put up
something along those lines - especially for new
designers/start-up businesses.

People who are looking for a web designer should be
able to tell from the price that they're getting
cut-rate services. It's great that the business isn't
regulated like the phone company, but it would be nice
if businesses had a way to compare pricing -- like
when you buy a gallon of milk. You know when it's
over-priced and you know when it's really cheap. 

Even car prices have a consistent range. You know when
you're buying a luxury vehicle that has all the bells
and whistles and when you're buying an economy model.
You also know that when you buy a used car, you're
really taking a chance that the buyer has been
completely honest with you about the condition of the
vehicle. You just don't have that with web design and
devlopment charges right now.

Just felt the need to put my 2-cents in on the topic.

Michelle Bennett



--- Lisa Bradshaw <zibbler(at)web-design-cs.com> wrote:
> I may be mistaken, but from what I've read, the
> Business list is the ONLY
> list that money is allowed to be discussed on, which
> is why I posted to this
> list. Please let me know if I'm wrong, and if I am,
> please forgive me.
> 
> Thanks to the folks who replied both on list and
> off. I really don't wan't
> to lose any work as it's so scarce right now, but I
> also don't want to GIVE
> my services away if you know what I mean. It just
> seems to me that there are
> way too many people out there with a wysiwyg editor
> of some type that have
> thrown together a few web pages, then decide to call
> themselves web
> designers and charge chump change for their
> "services", which really hurts
> the real web designers by taking clients away from
> them :-(
> 
> Lisa.
>
........................................................
> : Lisa Bradshaw                                     
>   :
> : Web Designer/developer                            
>   :
> :                                                   
>   :
> : Crescendo Web Design -
> http://www.web-design-cs.com  :
>
:......................................................:
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "PG Music Webmaster" <webmaster(at)pgmusic.com>
> To: "HWG Business" <hwg-business(at)hwg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 8:16 PM
> Subject: Re: Need help with quote
> 
> 
> > Hi Lisa,
> >
> > Although Judith will probably email you, please
> read the FAQ, no $$ are to
> > be discussed on the list...
> >
> > "Discussion of pricing is NOT allowed on any HWG
> Mailing Lists."
> >
> > Taking a neutral tone however, customers often
> don't understand pricing
> for
> > web document development.  Itemize it, break it
> down, show the client an
> > hourly rate, etc.  Provide estimates for time
> spent.  Either the client
> will
> > buy what you're selling, or they won't.  You can
> also ask the client what
> > price they feel is adequate, and describe the
> services they'll get for
> that
> > price.  Tell the client to shop around if they're
> not convinced, and even
> > provide competitors contacts if you are
> agressively competitive.  Doing a
> > money losing job rarely makes any sense.
> >
> > Cheers and good luck,
> >
> > David Godfrey
> > Net Decorator
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Lisa Bradshaw" <zibbler(at)web-design-cs.com>
> > To: <hwg-business(at)hwg.org>
> > Sent: July 17, 2002 4:32 PM
> > Subject: Need help with quote
> >
> >
> > > I have a potential client that wants a quote for
> a new website. Here's
> > what
> > > he wants:
> > >
> > > Total of 33 pages. Four pages will have 6
> thumbnails each. Each
> thumbnail
> > > will open a new window with the full size
> picture on it. He is
> submitting
> > > all pictures and content electronically. He
> wants a custom feedback
> form,
> > a
> > > custom logo, search engine optimization and
> placement and reciprical
> > links.
> > > In addition, he wants me to train him to do his
> own updates using a
> > wysiwyg
> > > editor, graphics program and thumbnail program,
> which he doesn't know
> how
> > to
> > > use any of them.
> > >
> > > I quoted him $3430.00 and he nearly fell out of
> his chair. Am I way off
> > base
> > > on this? How would some of you quote this? I
> want to give a fair,
> > affordable
> > > price, but I also want to be paid fairly too.
> Suggestions?
> > >
> > > TIA,
> > > Lisa
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> 


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