Rates for updating a site...
- Started
- Last post
- 22 Responses
- ********
I am being asked by a client (that I used to work in-house for) how much i want to charge to maintain his websites i set up for him. I think I know the range I want to be paid but I don't how to make it a unit. How can i package up how long an update would take and how much they would cost per-unit?
- ********0
its a photography portfolio and a gallery/venue site
- ********0
i wouldn't do a per unit thing, I would just charge a monthly fee to manage. And maybe if they go over the monthly fee requirements an hourly wage is tacked on...
- ********0
well I might be doing more than just maintenance. for instance I will also be doing postcard designs for events. Should i charge like $100/card for those? or is that too much or what?
- If this is just a small business stuff then yes i think $100 is fair for a postcard. Maybe find cheap printers so he thinks the deal is better********
- better********
- If this is just a small business stuff then yes i think $100 is fair for a postcard. Maybe find cheap printers so he thinks the deal is better
- ********0
No--keep the maintence and design seperate...that is how i would do it.
- maintenance--I hate that word. I never spell it right********
- maintenance--I hate that word. I never spell it right
- PonyBoy0
i'd just go hourly... sounds like occasional work... sometimes detailed... sometimes would only take an hour to complete...
- ********0
thanks guys this advice has helped me alot :)
I bit the bullet and just laid out flat rates to do each of the tasks i would typically do and told him $150/week if i edit the site, $50/postcard and $100 for posters.
it is a small business.
am i ripping myself tho still?
- i mean i didnt tell him yet just laid out the spreadsheet haha. still finalizing..********
- feels cheap... you sure you know how much work you'll be getting?PonyBoy
- i mean i didnt tell him yet just laid out the spreadsheet haha. still finalizing..
- Shaney0
same here - hourly...
- ********0
@ponyboy, shaney: how much should i charge hourly?
- PonyBoy0
depends on the client really... I find myself anywhere between $65 & $125/hour... but that depends on if I'm working directly for an agency and certain things are handled or I'm working directly for a client who is slightly clueless and needs their hand held. :)
- what I'm saying is I set the number based on the client's needs, return biz... whether she's hot or not... standard biz practices.PonyBoy
- Shaney0
In London here so probably different but we have many small business clients we do this type of stuff for and we charge according to the job e.g:
simple edits, image updates: Junior Dev rates
Flash or Ajax, any code really: DEv rateetc. we have about 4/5 different hourly rates and apply depending on the job. It's not as confusing to the client as it sounds if you present to the client in a way that lets him know it saves him money on simple stuff and you don't get shafted if they try sneak stuff in on some maintenance rate.
- ********0
i am debating whether to send this spreadsheet of solutions, descriptions and their "project costs".... and instead of sending that send them an e-mail saying "my rate is $120/hour"
- hourly rates cause some bonehead clients to suddenly look for somebody "cheaper"vaxorcist
- ********0
thats a good idea shaney... diff hourly rates for each item.
- Shaney0
rates pro rata as per PonyBoy tho if it helps
- version30
it depends on what you're worth.
having a base hourly rate or minimum day rate really motivates the client to make concise decisions regarding their needs. if you are to educate them to options and advise them a course of action for you to implement over a specified time line, then you could also charge consultation fees. let it be noted, you should have the capabilities and schedule to satisfy them beyond their expectation if this is going to be your decided course of action.
I charge my hourly rate minimum 1 hour to upload a new jpg, so you better know what you want.
- Shaney0
We've found it helps. Especially even if they say they only want simple stuff at the start.....keeps it clear when they want the earth for the same price...
- version30
initial proposals should have detailed outlines of intent with the price for said work
this is helpful , as Shaney stated, in that once you receive all the content you see a different site mapping out. these differences in their delivery of their needs to you will allow you freedom to charge more for additional services needed as they arise.
saying you'll do a site for this or this for that much is a sure fire way of frustrating the client and selling yourself short
- ********0
awesome thanks dudes!
i just adjusted the prices from $100 to $100/hour ;)
I think this will make a significant difference!! hahah
- nice range!PonyBoy
- yeah... if they need me they'll pay it ;)********
- studderine0
why isnt this CMS'ed anyways?
- ********0
it is cms'ed they want me to maintain it.
- Seems to go against the concept of a CMS a little... but alright.ETM
- vaxorcist0
I've built CMS's for clients who claimed to want them, paid alot of $$ for them, then never "had the time" to update themselves so they paid me to do it... yes, use my own CMS... yes, totally against the concept of CMS, but hey, they're paying me, and I'm keeping them happy....
I think they were just overwhelmed... and too chaotic, and/or afraid to screw things up....