[sprynmr]

Hey there,

Just about finished building my first real client's website. You can see it at www.websterdentalgroup.com .

There is a lot of polishing to be done, and a few things they have to get back to me on, but its pretty much at version 1.0.

I need some help on how much should be charged. I have some idea of around where it should be, but I would rather not write that up here.

If you have knowledge of this kind of thing, please kindly take a look at the site and e-mail me @ sprynmr@mac.com.

I don't want to get into the prices on here, since I want to keep it somewhat private, but I wouldn't mind getting into it over e-mail. Thanks!!!!

~Robert

[godzookie2k]

that should have been settled from the get go at an hourly rate, ____$/hour x the amount of hours you worked x taxes (if they apply) = invoice total. invoices should provide (mine do at least) a break down on how much time was spent on what dates on what, and totals, eg


50 hours coding back end
30 hours designing front end

yadda yadda.

If you didn't settle this before you started see the how much should I charge thread from a few weeks ago regarding rates, though since its your first I don't think you can get away with too much especially having not settled on a price beforehand.

[andi*pandi]

You've got some bad quotes in the graphic text on the services page.

some of the yellow type is hard to read, as is all the curly type. But if the client likes it, hey.

As for charging, yeah, what he said. Yer supposed to work out your hourly rate in advance.

Looks like you did some pretty fancy stuff--and you said this was your first site--be sure that you don't charge the client for any learning time. If you had to teach yourself flash or something for a site, it's not fair to make the client eat that. I think.

anyhoo... bad quotes are my nemisis. They're in a graphic, they're in a font... use proper quote marks! In HTML, hash marks are fine.

</pet peeve>

[sprynmr]

Thanks, I'll fix those. Good catch.

Yes this is my first big client, but no there was no learning time. I was already pretty much an expert with flash/html/php.

I do realize you normally work out how much to charge by the hour beforehand, but I probably should have also informed you:
I'm looking around what would normally be charged for this kind of site, so I can base a much lower price off of it. Two reasons.

1. This is my first real client, and while I may know the technologies and skills, the process of working with a client was a new one to me, and I have to factor that in.

2. The client was a good friend of the family, and has done us favors in the past.

So it was kind of one of these "Well we'll see how much work it takes and what it comes out like, and then I'll cut you a good deal."

So I'm just looking for someone who would give me an estimate on about how much they think they would've charged someone normally for this kind of site. And from there I will decide on what kind of discount to take off of it.

Thanks for the advice though.

[wreks]

How many hours did you spend on the project and what area are you located in?

There isn't really a flat rate for doing a website. Depending on the size of the client I've know people to charge 5k for a flash rollover navigation. Then again the same person would do a website for a local business starting at $500.

I'd recommend checking out the Graphic Artists Guild's website and perhaps picking up their handbook, they have some forums over there too.

http://www.gag.org/

[sprynmr]

Originally posted by wreks:
How many hours did you spend on the project and what area are you located in?

From start to finish including planning and everything, probably about 140 hours. Located in Rochester NY (Fingerlakes Region.)

[godzookie2k]

When I was new to things I was charging like 10-15 an hour but it REALLY depends on what your client can afford, what the market can afford, and you not selling yourself (and the market) short. <= reason why this should have been settled up front, but thats a beaten horse.

[sprynmr]

Aight thanks people. Nevermind I've talked to some people and gotten a good idea.

I realize this is almost always settled up front. And as I've said, these were special circumstances, so I'm not looking for any more proper business lectures.

Thanks anyway.

[wreks]

Originally posted by sprynmr:
Aight thanks people. Nevermind I've talked to some people and gotten a good idea.

are you going to tell us how it worked out? I'm curious anyway..

[sprynmr]

Originally posted by wreks:


are you going to tell us how it worked out? I'm curious anyway..

Worked out well to what I think is a fair price. I don't want to post it on here, but if you e-mail me I'll tell you. I talked with a couple others in this field and got an estimation for the amount of hours it would've taken them in its entirety, and what they would have charged. Then I knocked off a big chunk.

The client was thrilled with both the product and the price, and are interested in continuing work with me. So I would say things turned out well.

Thanks guys,

[NeoMac]

The picture on the home page is "blown out" - faces are whited out.

Fonts appear flimsy.

Otherwise, good job! The site suggests quality, which is the most important message a small business web site can project to a potential customer.

[sprynmr]

Originally posted by NeoMac:
The picture on the home page is "blown out" - faces are whited out.

Fonts appear flimsy.

Otherwise, good job! The site suggests quality, which is the most important message a small business web site can project to a potential customer.

Yea I know the faces are washed out. That's the way the picture came out, so it needs retaken. Actually I want to retake all the staff pictures. There is also going to be significant changes in the fonts. Mainly the goldish/yellow fonts just don't work well enough, so they will be changed to the purple or blue, whichever is appropriate for the situation. Also enlarged in some cases.

List of other minor fixes are being worked on as well.

Thank you!