Are you undercharging for web design?
Lee Matthew Jackson
Platform & Strategy Consultant – Smart platforms and strategy for your toughest data and marketing challenges.
In this article get to be grumpy! And believe me I am going to be grumpy... because I believe a lot of people in our industry are not charging enough for their services!
If you feel you are not charging enough for your services - I want to challenge you today!
Whether that's graphic design, web design, etc.
WHY NOT?
Let me know in the comments before you read my rant and share with me;
‘ Why do you feel you are having to charge such low rates for your services? ’
I challenge you if you are charging low rates, and you're finding yourself struggling, or you've got no time anymore. Or maybe you're constantly having to work long hours to make ends meet. Then I’m challenging you ( Yes YOU! ) to re-consider your rates and consider how you are pricing your projects.
WHY AM I RANTING?
There was a conversation over in the Beaver Builder Group, where somebody had put forth the fact that they thought people were overcharging for web sites, and that people stating that they charge $10k are essentially ‘charlatans for web builds’
I completely disagree.
You know who you are mate!
If you are reading this, then you also already know that I completely disagree with you on this, and have openly completely disagreed with you within the Beaver Builder Group ( Join the group here to see the post I’m talking about ).
That person in question was putting forth that a lot of the build process could just be done for around $400. My argument with that ( and something you should consider ), is that it is a ridiculously low amount of money for the work.
If you are an agency, small solo developer or web designer and you've got to try and churn out multiple websites at $400 a punt, you've got to complete an awful lot of websites every single month just in order to be able to operate as a successful business.
Frankly it makes no sense!!
If, however, you were charging $3,000 for a website, then you would be able to concentrate on just two or three per month. You would also be able to do them really well, look after your clients and operate a great solo agency.
As far as I'm concerned, you have a responsibility to be running a business that is going to be there for your clients in the future.
Frankly I find it irresponsible that people would think they can charge so little for this work. And that they think so highly of themselves that they would be able to sell so many websites at $400, that they can maintain a successful and a profitable business.
They are obviously better people than I am.
As far as I'm concerned, what I want to do is make sure that I can sell one or two high-value projects every single month. Then really look after that client and deliver them something that is phenomenal, but also to ensure that I am there for them in the future to continue to serve their needs and support them further.
If I am profitable then I can be there for that client.
I can be there to support their website.
I can be there as their plans and business evolves and changes.
Only then can I be there as their safety net.
I know that if I was trying to sell tons and tons of websites at $400, then I'm just going to be too busy building those websites. Then I’m not going to be able to look after the clients I already have, and I won’t be there for them in the future. As far as I'm concerned I'll probably burn out.
That's my rant.
Are you in that bracket of charging a ridiculously low amount of money for your websites?
If so - why?
If you want to learn more on this topic, I highly recommend these podcasts;
The first is about value-based pricing and whether you agree with it or not.
Have a listen - it's helpful. ( Listen here )
The other is all about working out your hourly rate if you are in that place of working out your hourly rate. ( Listen here )
Listen to those two episodes, I hope they're helpful, and would love to hear your thoughts.
Feel free to argue with me below ( nicely ) and also let me know what your thoughts are on what I've just said about how you should be pricing in your business.
If you are not part of our Facebook group it is completely free and you can find that here;
www.agencytrailblazer.com/Group
Follow the Frank Friday playlist on YouTube here
Senior Product Manager
5 年Lee I have another website for you.. ??
Founder & Managing Director @ GO Creative // Digital marketing solutions: Website development and support, search engine optimisation (SEO) and conversion rate optimisation (CRO).
5 年There's the sustainability side (your argument, and completely valid), but the other side of it is understanding the value of your own time. Someone charging in the hundreds of dollars to build a website MUST fall into one or both of these categories: 1. Doesn't know what their time is worth; and/or 2. Will deliver a low quality product. There's simply no way to possibly invest the amount of time required to build a successful website -- by any measure -- with such a low budget.
Lifting your marketing performance and brand impact in Industrial, Engineering, Construction, Property, Transport, Mining, Energy, Manufacturing and key B2B spaces.
5 年I've hit it twice in the last week. It comes from a "solver" mindset, not a "creator" thinking. In fact my conversations were at the $400AUD level so even further down the rabbit hole. The solver believes they can 'produce' a website, fill the gap where there was 'nothing' and tick the box that says "Job Done".? It isn't unusual to see highly competent IT technicians who are brilliant at solving 'problems' approach websites with this thinking process. When asked how the website will perform, the shrug of soulders and "that's not my problem" is the expected response.? Q. "I made a website, what more did you want".? A. Define "website" The person looking at the big picture from a creator mindset knows that there is a long-term purpose to the website that must fulfil a role. In doing that it needs thought, resource, strategy, implementation, iteration, measure and repeat in order to achieve business outcomes.
Website & marketing expert. I will get you found online helping you to expand and grow your business.
5 年￡400 for a website - that’s crazy days! If someone wants to do that then be my guest, but they won’t be in business a couple of years from now or if they are they will be broke and frazzled! Great post Lee Jackson