How much should I charge for a site like this?

[oboeguy]

Text

A friend has a friend, so to speak, who needs a site done at about the level of complexity of the linked site. I'm a little rusty with web dev stuff (especially graphics-wise) but I'm quite capable having done a lot of ASP stuff about 3.5 years ago and plenty of other coding since (I work with code all day).

Thanks in advance, fellas (and ladies!).

 

[oboeguy]

Bump?

 

[SelArom]

i'd like to know a price range for something like that. seems simple enough to do solo, and I'm going to start freelancing myself to do simple sites and need some advice on how much to charge.

so BUMP

as for tools, I use visual studio.net since I use ASP.NET. great stuff.

 

[oboeguy]

Thanks for the bump. I guess I'm most starved for tools for making buttons and fancy multi-piece-images. So what's different in ASP.NET from good old ASP 3.0?

Come to think of it, I don't even know if the host will support ASP or even if I'm supposed to arrange hosting. Ah, but that's what I'll find out at a holiday party or two (like I said, friend of a friend).

 

[SelArom]

Originally posted by: oboeguy
Thanks for the bump. I guess I'm most starved for tools for making buttons and fancy multi-piece-images. So what's different in ASP.NET from good old ASP 3.0?

Come to think of it, I don't even know if the host will support ASP or even if I'm supposed to arrange hosting. Ah, but that's what I'll find out at a holiday party or two (like I said, friend of a friend).

Xara webstyle 4 is EXCELLENT for making navbars like on the site. Very straightforward, simple to update and export.

I never used the original asp, but ASP.NET lets you create dynamic webpages using OOP and VB.NET or C#. kinda like a visual basic for webpages. I really like it. there's a free editor Web Matrix you can get from asp.net. good stuff but the hosting is more expensive

 

[oboeguy]

SelArom, thanks for the reply! That asp.net site and the posted app look very handy.

 

[kuljc]

I think it'll be kinda hard to find someone who knows the prices and all... you should try getting a quote from an actual company always a nifty thing to do.

P.S. please reply back at a quote you receive b/c i'm sure plenty are interested

 

[WobbleWobble]

Macromedia Fireworks is a good easy to use tool to generate basic layout/menus.

 

[skyking]

With the graphics, the dynamic menus, search features, database integration, 40 plus pages.....
I'd say around 8 to 10K.
if you are not that gifted with the graphics and logos, sub them out.

 

[Cheetah8799]

There are some old threads asking this same question. When I price out a job, here are some things I think about.

1. Is this a cash only deal. If it is, then I will charge less.
2. Is the site for a friend/family. If so, I charge much less.
3. Does the site going to require a database back end and dynamic code? If so, charge a little more.
4. If the site uses a lot of Flash or other proprietary software that you need to purchase before doing the job, then charge more.
5. Do you need to hire someone else to do the graphics or anything else? If so, figure that into the cost.
6. Figure out how hosting will be handled.
7. What is the plan for future support? Get this into a contract.

I'm sure I can think of more things to write, but this should get you started.


Basically, for simple sites that are mostly html, I'll probably charge in the $30/hr range. Dynamic sites might be $40/hr - $50/hr.


Make sure you write up a contract with your client so you don't get screwed in the end. Also plan it out before deciding on a final deal so both parties know where the project is going to go.

 

[SelArom]

Originally posted by: skyking
With the graphics, the dynamic menus, search features, database integration, 40 plus pages.....
I'd say around 8 to 10K.
if you are not that gifted with the graphics and logos, sub them out.

wow datz a lotta cheez...

i don't think I could ever charge that much, being an amateur and all. well maybe EVENTUALLY... What is a good price to charge for someone who is just starting out, but can work with functionality like database integration, search engine and BASIC shopping cart functions?

and do you keep charging after the site is done? I gotta know this stuff that's what I wanna doooo!! any thoughts will be helpful and appreciated.

 

[oboeguy]

Originally posted by: SelArom

Originally posted by: skyking
With the graphics, the dynamic menus, search features, database integration, 40 plus pages.....
I'd say around 8 to 10K.
if you are not that gifted with the graphics and logos, sub them out.

wow datz a lotta cheez...

i don't think I could ever charge that much, being an amateur and all. well maybe EVENTUALLY... What is a good price to charge for someone who is just starting out, but can work with functionality like database integration, search engine and BASIC shopping cart functions?

and do you keep charging after the site is done? I gotta know this stuff that's what I wanna doooo!! any thoughts will be helpful and appreciated.

I agree, that sounds like way too much. at $40/hour that's 200 hours for a simple site? Even at $80/hour (which is clearly too much) that's still 100 hours which I seriously doubt is needed. But hey, thanks for checking in anyway.

So, anyone else?

 

[skyking]

did you tunnel down into that thing and really look? If what he needs is not that complex, then it was a poor example. There were several links to offsite calulators and such, but there was also a custom job finding and matching search feature, and other slick little DB items to drive up the complexity.
I figured about 25 hours in the backend alone.

 

[oboeguy]

Originally posted by: skyking
did you tunnel down into that thing and really look? If what he needs is not that complex, then it was a poor example. There were several links to offsite calulators and such, but there was also a custom job finding and matching search feature, and other slick little DB items to drive up the complexity.
I figured about 25 hours in the backend alone.

OK so you must have me there. I think my friend meant that the site should look like that, not necessarily have all the fancy functionality. Otherwise, it looks like I may be making some real money.

 

[skyking]

no worries. So you figure about 10 static pages?
I would revise my estimate to around 2K.

 

[oboeguy]

Originally posted by: skyking
no worries. So you figure about 10 static pages?
I would revise my estimate to around 2K.

Cool, thanks. I should find out more in about a week at a holiday party. (I'll be sure to revive the thread)

 

[LiLithTecH]

Originally posted by: SelArom
wow datz a lotta cheez...

i don't think I could ever charge that much, being an amateur and all. well maybe EVENTUALLY... What is a good price to charge for someone who is just starting out, but can work with functionality like database integration, search engine and BASIC shopping cart functions?

and do you keep charging after the site is done? I gotta know this stuff that's what I wanna doooo!! any thoughts will be helpful and appreciated.

There is a lot more involved with designing websites then just putting pages together.
The only consideration with you just starting out is that it will more than likely take you
longer (as in learning curve), so adjust accordingly.

In the contract you should include (in extreme detail):

1. How will the SITE be organized
2. Site and Domain Names
3. If a Company Logo will be included and provided or designed from scratch
4. What typefaces should be used (preferences) and who will provide them
5. What Color and Accents are preferred
6. Navigation System (ie. Links, Colored bar images, Menus, Buttons, Frames (anybody still use these?) Search Engine (not really needed on small - under 15 page sites)
7. Basic Page Elements (ie. Page Titles, Graphics, Text, Image Maps, Email response, Copyright Info)
8. Photos, Graphics and Clipart , Sound, Animations, Video clips (and who will provide \ pay for them if not done in-house , copyright permissions)
9. Web Hosting Service
10. Will Response Forms be required?
11. Registering and Advertising the site
12. Maintenance (who will provide updates)

Just because it is a friend (or friend of friend) would be ALL the MORE REASON to have it down on paper (if you value the friendship)

 

[LordPhoenix]

$8K???

Are you joking me? I think people would kill if they could do that kind of site for $100-500.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: oboeguy

Originally posted by: skyking
no worries. So you figure about 10 static pages?
I would revise my estimate to around 2K.

Cool, thanks. I should find out more in about a week at a holiday party. (I'll be sure to revive the thread)

$2k for 10 static pages... if you're a company with overhead. If you're a freelancer... I think $30/hr is already pushing it for static content. Web app developers (dynamic languages, ecommerce, etc.) work at ~$50/hr and up. Flash developers (as freelancers) who know their stuff don't even charge > $75/hr unless they're in the top tier.

Anyway, I doubt 10 static pages takes longer than 20 hours to do either. Once you have the template/outline done for the first pages, it's quick from there. A common figure is $500 for < 5 static HTML pages... you can price accordingly (portfolio/experience) from there.

Some freelancers may be able to get away with higher pricing, but that's mostly because the clients have no idea what the actual going rates are - (same with web hosting resellers). Besides, there will always be someone on the Internet willing to undercut your higher prices. If you can get away with it, so be it.

 

[skyking]

$30/hr is already pushing it for static content

If you are good, get paid what it is worth. $30 an hour for work like that is barely a living wage, IMO.
Getting less would be fine if you went in and clocked for 40 hours, and got benefits. Freelancing, you are lucky to bill out a consistent amount of hours, week in and week out.

 

[rh71]

Keep in mind freelancing is often part time work. If you do it full time, you may as well be a company and charge as such.

 

[Injury]

Just think of how much of your free time this is going to eat up and put a price on that.

I'd say no less than a grand if you think you'll have it done in a couple of weeks, and tack on a grand for each additional week.

 

[Moohooya]

Imagine how much you'd be paid an hour if you were doing it full time. Then double that. Yes consultants get double.
Why?
Well straight off they have to pay both halves of their SS tax, so there is a 6-7% bite. As an employee you are entitled to paid vacations and sick time, that all added up may be 1 day in 10, so another 10%. Health insurance would be a little more, 401K plan more still. Hey, you'll now need to purchase your own computers, software etc. So it all adds up.

So look in the local paper and see what web guys are getting. If it is $40,000 in your area, then you should be charging $40 an hour.

Static stuff is almost free these days. You can find someone in high school who can whip up a site and will be happy to be getting $10-15 an hour. If you want a dynamic site with backend proesses, chances are you'll need someone who has been doing it for a few years, left home and requires a real wage to live on. Depending upon complexity, experience and content, they may well be able to change $100 an hour or more.

 

[oboeguy]

Thanks for the additional replies. I'm thinking of getting $40/hour because, while my skills are rusty, I'm far from a no0b, and that's about what I made as technical writer for this summer's internship (very specialiazed knowledge needed, hence the sizeable rate).

 

[papadiddydoo]

$40/hour under the table for your friend's friend?

Did you get taxed from your summer internship tho?