Yep! That’s the question that I believed most freelance designer should never stop asking around… How to determine the rates (with show a little respect to web design) become a serious problem to me already, for past 6 moths I am doing freelancing works (I have a day-time job) like creates webpage for someone, software interface for corporation etc. Usually I charge them from 100USD to 300USD, it depends on vary projects. As matter of fact, I’m still confused on this issue just like you are. Do you think that’s a reasonable price or am I undercutting myself?
I read a post that replied by Bob Tulloch and I agreed with him. Pricing is about two things: experience and confidence. You have to have the experience to warrant the price and you have to have the confidence to ask for that price. Here is opinion on what is fair market value:
* 0 to 1 yrs experience and a weak portfolio = free to $10/hour.
* 1 to 2 yrs experience and a strong portfolio = $20/hour to $30/hour.
* 2 to 4 yrs experience and rock solid portfolio along with strong client list = $40/hour to $60/hour.
* More than 4yrs experience, inspiration worthy portfolio along with a strong client list = $80+/hour to {the sky is the limit}.
I don’t agree with an entry level designer doing work for free or $5/hour — almost for free. The important part of being a designer is the ability to indicate business professionals how to communicate effectively with design… I am afraid that providing design services for free devalues our profession. Unless you already driving a BMW with a blonde gal in some palm-island, doing design stuff just for killing time… before that, we should back to this and take it very seriously. So what do you think?
4 Responses so far.
This seems like a very realistic charging-timeline.
Dec 20th, 2006 at 4:22 pmNice article …. but what about the HOUR…. How you describe an HOUR job?
Dec 21st, 2006 at 4:10 pmI agree with the Munna
I never charge web design work by the hour. I’ll always estimate what the job is worth to the client, what their budget is and a whole lot of other factors. Then, I’ll present the client with a fixed quotation and proposal for the work to be done.
I find that this approach makes my clients feel confident that they know all costs beforehand, and there aren;t going to be any difficult situations around budget blowouts.
This can work two ways, depending on what challenges the project presents. Either the client wins out and gets more for their money, or the other way round if a job goes smoothly, I win out, because I’ve been able to complete a job quicker, therefore making more $$$ for my time.
That’s my approach anyway, and it’s worked for me for the last 5 years, so I aint complainin’ !
Dec 22nd, 2006 at 10:54 pmneat site man, and neat article.
Nov 4th, 2007 at 3:53 pmLeave a Reply