Comments on: The Web Design Business Process

By: Lou

Lou — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:24:37 +0000

Good advice for the billing of any design service. As someone who has been a graphic designer of print media for over 20 years, I’m still struggling as to how best to bill for web site design and development.

I’m always amazed that a client will spend thousands of dollars for brand design or a logo mark, but when it comes to the web site, they expect it to come in at a fraction of the cost that it takes to do it. Part of this may be because I’m designing and building, which means I’m charging a similar rate for both. I like to work this way since I tend to continue to design as I build.

Is it possible to get a reasonable fee for this, or is development best left to an entry level developer once design is resolved? Any thoughts?

Thanks.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:35:06 +0000

It’s always wise to cover the initial part of our work with a deposit. And it’s only fair, you don’t want to get down the road of completing the site and then the client not being in the position to pay for it.

By: Adam Landrum

Adam Landrum — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 02:20:01 +0000

Good article. One thing I would add as well to your “figure some things about the site” (and what we do for our web design clients in Greenville, SC) should include the business results. i.e.: What do you want your site to do? What should your web site do for your business?

If the site doesn’t accomplish a business goal (if it’s for a business of course), then what’s its purpose?

By: Missy

Missy — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:12:11 +0000

Nice frame of reference. I also will look at your site design worksheet. Thanxs!

By: Jeff Adams

Jeff Adams — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:34:01 +0000

Nice little article, I use a similar method for my own businesss but we tend to use the 33% approach more often than not - it tends to keep the clients happy that you will stick around sometime down the line.

By: sandeep kakani

sandeep kakani — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:00:41 +0000

hi,
this is sandeep kakani, i have read your article and it is really helpfull for the people who are starting new web designing business. I really thank you for the Info, could you provide a info which help for a ong term business.

By: Francis

Francis — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:35:23 +0000

You know how it feels like, being new to something and you get someone pouring out his/her experience in this manner - i mean; its encouraging…
Thanks alot for sharing your knowledge.

By: Britt McDonough

Britt McDonough — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:04:35 +0000

Good article with some helpful points. It makes sense that the average business client would have no clue what CSS or PHP was!!
Getting half the money up front is a good idea, as the chief complaint I’ve heard from freelancers is problems they have getting paid (or not getting paid, as the case may be). At least with a deposit it’s not a total loss. In my twenty-three years running a wedding photography business, I had two clients with ridiculous complaints not pay the balance for my always professional work. But I had that 50% deposit, which at least covered my expenses.

By: Julia Haynie

Julia Haynie — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:33:34 +0000

This is a tremendously helpful article to me: a budding web designer in the process of creating her business site. I have relied on Stefan’s work for education and guidance throughout this process, and continue to be struck, not only by his competence, but by his generosity in sharing his knowledge with others.