Display Actual Rates or Not?

[coxadmin]

I am a Virtual Assistant offering administrative services to businesses and am revamping my website.

Would you expect to find an indication of rates on the site or would you be happy to contact for a quote? Please can you give me your reasons, too. At the moment I don't display any indication of rates but am unsure how effective this is.

[YEM]

If I was impressed by your website/company and it told me what I can expect from using your services, the fact that your rates are not online wouldn't bother me.

[Top Hat]

I would say you should display your rates.

Who exactly are you hiding them from?

Chances are I don't want a quote, what I want is a rough estimate, can it be done for £x

A quote = commitment

[YEM]

I would say you should display your rates.
Who exactly are you hiding them from? Chances are I don't want a quote, what I want is a rough estimate, can it be done for £x A quote = commitment

But it depends on whether you have set prices or tailored solutions to each client.

In my opinion, a quote doesn't mean committment and sometimes (depending on the services) what people ask for and what they want is not necessarily the same thing

[Coding Monkey]

In my opinion, a quote doesn't mean committment and sometimes (depending on the services) what people ask for and what they want is not necessarily the same thing

This is a very good point. I was talking to another member only a few hours ago about their decision to remove their rates. I feel that the harsh competition that I face, I win clients with trust, quality and proof of this, which you cannot fully appreciate via our website. They need to pick the phone up, and I'd be surprised if most of them would if they saw a 4 figure price given to them from a complete stranger.

[autolycus]

Tom,

I think it may vary from one profession to another. But for the line of business you and I are in, I fully agree that it makes far more sense to talk to people before you give them a price. That way, before you quote a price, you get to find out exactly what they need and they get to find out what a great service you offer in return for your price.

Dave.

[YEM]

Tom,

I think it may vary from one profession to another. But for the line of business you and I are in, I fully agree that it makes far more sense to talk to people before you give them a price. That way, before you quote a price, you get to find out exactly what they need and they get to find out what a great service you offer in return for your price.

Dave.

Exactly, instead of spending time quoting, only to find out that they want something extra that they failed to mention - and wanting it free o charge because of your quote!

[annethedonn]

Lynn

I list some of our charges, from an hourly rate, but most are bespoke, so I'd agree with Tom and Lucy.

Anne

[DuaneJackson]

We didn't publish our prices for Streaming Media at Key One - the idea being that if I can get them on the phone I can do a better sales job.

Since we published prices enquiries have shot up.

[coxadmin]

This is an interesting debate I've started - I've researched UK and international VA's and it varies, so it appears there are no real protocols for VA's.

Currently I have a basic hourly rate and there are often variables like paper, envelopes, etc. Some websites I've seen for other UK VA's list their rates right down to per page.

What do you think?

[annethedonn]

I feel it would be best to give them a tailored quotation based on their actual requirements/budget etc that way they'll feel they're getting a more personal service.

[fastfences]

Lynn

I list some of our charges, from an hourly rate, but most are bespoke . . .

Anne
Precisely! You can put a price on a 'retail' site because prices are generally expected. When providing a service with many options or variables one expects to call for a price - if the site is GOOD enough to drive them to such a call. Mine is one such site - no prices, but stimulating! :wink:
Cheers, Nigel

[annethedonn]

I'm in the market for a fence soon Nigel, but I doubt you cover Farnborough!

[fastfences]

A fence because I agreed with you? Is that farnborough, Hants 2 1/2 hours away?
Cheers, Nigel

[annethedonn]

No, I'm buying a new house and the fence is only about 4ft high and I have 2 GSDs so don't want them jumping in my neighbour's garden. Yes it is Hants.

[autolycus]

Maybe a useful compromise is to put "Prices start from £x". That way, you weed out the timewasters who want a website for £10 but the people who are serious can still ring you to get your full sales job and a properly tailored quote.