Prices or no prices!

Pixels Ink · Jan 25, 2008

When I am looking on the web for things, it could be printing, promotional items, personalised clothing etc I like to see prices on the sites. If a site has ' CONTACT US FOR PRICING' I will tend to dismiss that website and move on to one that has prices and buy from them.

Its like those shops where there are no prices on the items in the window and so I presume its a case of "If you have to ask, you can't afford it!"

I know prices change depending on quantity etc but surely even a guide price could be listed. Are people just being protective of their prices from competitors?

Curious Col

directmarketingadvice · Jan 25, 2008

I agree with you.

I put prices on my sites (though, sometimes, it's just an hourly rate as the amount of work varies so much).

However, I've never tested no prices v prices, so maybe leaving them off works well in some circumstances.

Steve

Simon-M · Jan 25, 2008

No, I think people like that try to over value the true worth of their product.

Everything has a market value and the market is king at finding it. Just imagine how much business you leave on the table trying to make yourself look better than the market price can stand.

Sure, you will pick up scraps from people who like to THINK they are getting better quality. If your quality is already as good as it can be though where is the added value? It's percieved and the old saying that a fool and their money are easily parted rings true here.

When I shop I like to know the price. Even if I can't afford it.

Simon

Pixels Ink · Jan 25, 2008

My new website (when it FINALLY goes live) will have example prices for generic stuff like Logo, stationery, flyer design etc but it will not be exhaustive. It will give a potential client an idea of what the cost is 'likely' to be for an item. I'm not bothered if competitors see my prices and try to undercut them, I sell on my design abilities and not on price.

I do understand though that in other markets like printing, promotional items, etc margins are really low and folk may want to protect their costs from competing businesses.

I'm really busy and I don't usually have time to send off for prices from a 'blank' site and so a site with prices listed is much more likely to get my business for the sake of me waiting on a quote in order to save a few quid.

Col

RayB · Jan 25, 2008

Everything we do is priced in our online shop. Not just print - even graphic design is fixed price for online order. Best thing I ever did. The alternative is a bit like having a shop that's shut IMO

Pixels Ink · Jan 25, 2008

RayB said:
The alternative is a bit like having a shop that's shut IMO

Exactly what i thought.

pvcprinting · Jan 25, 2008

Ray,

Agree with you again - note to self 'stop it'!
I feel it is better to be transparant with your pricing that way you appear more genuine and are more likely to secure sales

We have alsways had a clear pricing structure - only thing we have not done thus far is to update site with the other stuff we supply such as garment printing - this however is something we have not been doing or long and was really done as an experiment.... at the minute the revenue generated does not warrant the extra expenditure to update the site

Regards

Pete

beverleymoore · Jan 25, 2008

Agree with all above.

Research suggests that if you don't put prices people commonly assume the product/service is more expensive that it actually is. And on the web, people won't bother to call for missing info, they'll just go somewhere else.

Beverley

am:pm graphics · Jan 25, 2008

Yeah I prefer seeing prices or I tend to go elsewhere thinking they are too expensive.

If your business has good fair prices I think its best to show them.

Pauline

CKG · Jan 25, 2008

I always publish my prices in my marketing and on the web and it does improve responses when we're talking about selling new boilers and central heating systems.

None of my competitors publish prices though.

Though I think it's more a case of a lack of understanding of basic marketing and probably pricing rather than a desire to protect their prices.

Calibre Designs · Jan 25, 2008

I think it depends highly on your level, your market position, type of clients and even your type of business.

It would never work with us if we placed prices on the site and besides, everything we do is bespoke.

Simon-M · Jan 25, 2008

Calibre Designs said:
I think it depends highly on your level, your market position, type of clients and even your type of business.

It would never work with us if we placed prices on the site and besides, everything we do is bespoke.

Everything we do is bespoke too. Works plenty for us.

Simon

Calibre Designs · Jan 25, 2008

You have a great business Simon and a good website. I read an article in one of the FSB issues some time ago about Logoquality. Great achievement!

We work closely with Avon/L'Oreal with some branding work. These clients will agree on a rate but will not approach just any agency especially with prices plastered everywhere. That was my main point really.

SK Virtual Assistant · Jan 25, 2008

I most definitely pass by any website that doesn't provide some reference to pricing. I don't need to be told exactly what it's going to cost me but I do like to have an idea or a guide. If I find I'm being asked to contact the owner of a site for a quote, I tend to move on. If I'm researching pricing for a service, I want to do it quickly, not spend half my life on the phone or waiting for emailed responses.

Just my opinion

charcinders · Jan 28, 2008

Yes, I agree with most of the replies here - any website that features a company's products should have at least a rough guide to pricing.
A number of times I have found a component, instrument or piece of software that seems like it might be useful to me, no prices on the website, so I send a long and detailed description of what I want to do with it, then their sales rep calls or emails and I find out that it costs 10 times what I was expecting, or I have to buy 1000 of them when I only want one. Waste of my time and theirs.

Chris

Peterborough Business · Jan 28, 2008

I recently did a lot of shopping around online and the number of sites not displaying prices drove me mad.

Some gave estimates and implied there was a deal to be done. I didn't mind this so much.

Often I chose a supplier who wasn't cheapest, but appeared to offer a better service (transparent delivery charges, clear contact details, customer testimonials/reviews, indicated stock levels etc).

RayB · Jan 28, 2008

Another way to look at it: You search for something you need to buy and find a site with prices/online ordering and another without. In a lot of cases you're likely to order online without contacting the other site

PIGDOG · Jan 28, 2008

Calibre Designs said:
I think it depends highly on your level, your market position, type of clients and even your type of business.

It would never work with us if we placed prices on the site and besides, everything we do is bespoke.

Definately depends on your market/type of business. We offer a brokerage service & a part that costs £1 today could cost £100 next week. Internet pricing suits companies with a standard product/service range.

INDIZINE · Jan 28, 2008

I think its easy to add a price to something that is fixed/flat rate but when bespoke it becomes difficult or even impossible.

Sometimes when I have bid to a client, if I think they are focussed on cost, I will show a link to a site we have done and say what one like this would cost. This at least gives them some kind of idea because its not far off the type of site they are wanting.This works if you have something similar to what they want, but not if you dont.

Jan 28, 2008

SteveGibson said:
I agree with you.

I put prices on my sites (though, sometimes, it's just an hourly rate as the amount of work varies so much).

However, I've never tested no prices v prices, so maybe leaving them off works well in some circumstances.

Steve

People may not be to concerned if you are a funeral director but there is little else I can think of where price is not the guiding factor as to getting a sale or supplying a service.

Even consultants and graphic designers should have prices from.......

you never know whether your viewer has a fiver in his back pocket or 50 million.:|

Earl

Deleted member 3454 · Jan 28, 2008

Pixels Ink said:
Are people just being protective of their prices from competitors?

Certainly in the case of Virtual Assistants prices are left off sites because some VAs will trawl round competitors' sites, even contacting them with bogus jobs, in order to check out their prices.

Like you, I will click away from a site if no prices are displayed.

RayB · Jan 28, 2008

coxadmin said:
Certainly in the case of Virtual Assistants prices are left off sites because some VAs will trawl round competitors' sites, even contacting them with bogus jobs, in order to check out their prices.

If everybody worried about that, e-commerce wouldn't exist surely?

office man · Jan 28, 2008

i take the stance that your website should answer ANY question sthe user may have, if they have to contact you for prices then surely your costs involved in running your operation will go up.

creospace · Jan 28, 2008

Some service driven sites have no need to display prices, we are not a price driven business so we don't display prices, it's almost impossible in web development at our level as everything is bespoke.

People contact us because they like the designs, they may not like the prices.

Calibre Designs · Jan 28, 2008

creospace said:
Some service driven sites have no need to display prices, we are not a price driven business so we don't display prices, it's almost impossible in web development at our level as everything is bespoke.

People contact us because they like the designs, they may not like the prices.

Exactly the kind of thing I was trying to explain but I could not find the right way of explaining it. Would like to add word of mouth and previous experiences with working with us makes clients choose us.

Thanks Gary!

creospace · Jan 28, 2008

Would like to add word of mouth and previous experiences with working with us makes clients choose us.

I was going to mention that but when I thought about it people call us cos of a recommendation and amazingly they've not even looked at the site so price/no price isn't relevant.

Matt1959 · Jan 28, 2008

I always want to see prices as cost is always a consideration for me. I also like to display prices - it shows you have confidence in your product/ service. If people buy on price alone, I'm not sure they are the best sort of customers anyway, so no harm iin putting prices on display even if they are indications only.

creospace · Jan 28, 2008

Easier said than done - how long is a piece of string?

I do agree though if you're buying something material then prices must be displayed.

Polly · Jan 28, 2008

Hi all

I have had my rates on my site for the last 6 months or so - best thing I did. Prior to this I had it in my mind that I shouldn't disclose the prices until they called. I used to get calls from people who thought a luxury apartment would be the same price as a bed-sit and choked when I quoted them! Now I know that all the enquiries I get usually just need 'closing'. I'm happy for my competitors to see my rates - they can just see how much more I offer than they do and usually for a better rate!

Thanks

Polly

Alcsl · Jan 28, 2008

I think that displaying pricing is paramount on a website. Like others have said, if there's no price you tend to either dismiss the site or assume it's more expensive than you'd care to pay - and head over to a competitor whose pricing is clearly shown. Try naming a large product-driven sales website that doesn't display its prices, imagine what would happen if you had to contact pipex or amazon (for example) each time to get prices?!

In my opinion, a website should answer all the questions the user could have, and enable them to make their buying decision on the spot. The easier that process is for them, very often the greater the sales that website achieves.

Al

EnrageEnterprise · Jan 29, 2008

What about B2B companies/sites, that use economies of scale when pricing? Would you prefer to know the increments, i.e. 1-10 £xxx, 11-20 £xxx etc... or would you simply want to know 'prices from £24' for example, with the need the contact them for an exact quote.

Changes when its B2B rather than B2C IMO.

Calibre Designs · Jan 29, 2008

From this discussion alone, it has highlighted two distinct points. For a website to promote a physical product for sale then I agree, its good to place your prices on the site. However for a service related business, its not as easy as it seems.

RayB · Jan 29, 2008

EnrageEnterprise said:
What about B2B companies/sites, that use economies of scale when pricing? Would you prefer to know the increments, i.e. 1-10 £xxx, 11-20 £xxx etc... or would you simply want to know 'prices from £24' for example, with the need the contact them for an exact quote.

Changes when its B2B rather than B2C IMO.

In this scenario price every option but keep the interface simple IMO. We have about 50,000 prices on out site

PIGDOG · Jan 29, 2008

It's clearly different for each business. If you rely upon the internet to generate sales then of course you need pricing. However in a business such as mine it's just not possible to give standard prices because of the daily price fluctuations. And whilst we do generate some sales leads on our website, most of our business is repeat business from customers that have been buying from us for 10+ years.

Promise Clean · Sep 14, 2008

Pixels Ink said:
When I am looking on the web for things, it could be printing, promotional items, personalised clothing etc I like to see prices on the sites. If a site has ' CONTACT US FOR PRICING' I will tend to dismiss that website and move on to one that has prices and buy from them.

Its like those shops where there are no prices on the items in the window and so I presume its a case of "If you have to ask, you can't afford it!"

I know prices change depending on quantity etc but surely even a guide price could be listed. Are people just being protective of their prices from competitors?

Curious Col

NO, I think it's the owners trying to be smart.

Sean & The Brush

www.promiseclean.com

Eagle · Sep 15, 2008

I don't show my fees on site because to do so would be counter-productive for both myself and my clients. I'm not about to broadcast to the world how a client benefits from working with me. So... if I were to put pricing info on my site, a potential client would probably think "why is he charging that much?" - with no real idea as to why.

What I'm trying to say is that although my prices aren't a secret, my working practice certainly is 'commercial in confidence'. That alone precludes me from displaying prices.

I also find that the clients who make the (very small) effort to enquire are more likely to be interested in their project and are qualified as a 'serious' lead. All is then revealed (to the person who actually matters).

Promise Clean · Sep 15, 2008

Eagle said:
I don't show my fees on site because to do so would be counter-productive for both myself and my clients. I'm not about to broadcast to the world how a client benefits from working with me. So... if I were to put pricing info on my site, a potential client would probably think "why is he charging that much?" - with no real idea as to why.

What I'm trying to say is that although my prices aren't a secret, my working practice certainly is 'commercial in confidence'. That alone precludes me from displaying prices.

I also find that the clients who make the (very small) effort to enquire are more likely to be interested in their project and are qualified as a 'serious' lead. All is then revealed (to the person who actually matters).

Thats fine for a business like yours.

Sean & The Brush

www.Promiseclean.com

AdamJ · Sep 15, 2008

We're another 'no price' site, (B2B services provider). I did try having a price guide once, including clearly showing the discounts for increased volumes, etc. but it caused far more hassle than it was worth despite it being nice and clear. We had people insisting on the cheapest rate we charge for 2000+ tests when they only had 20 to do, or wanting us to do 60 hearing tests a day, (which is based on continuous testing from 8am to 3am) despite them only working 9 to 5, and then complaining "but the price on your website is X and you're quoting me more".

It was all very clear on the website but people:

a) don't read much on the web all that thoroughly and if pricing isn't simply 'it costs this.. ' then they often don't understand, or more likely bother to read it, and:
b) everyone always wanted to cheapest rate and grumbled when they didn't get it.

In the end we got rid of the pricing and saw no change in volume of business, but the quoting process became a lot smoother. Only exception is off-site training as the prices there are firmly fixed so we display those.

That however is for us as B2B services. If I'm buying something from an e-commerce site then its a simple case of no price = no sale and I go elsewhere.

Pab · Sep 15, 2008

We split-tested this on PPC landing pages (we're a B2B language service providor). We used identical landing pages with the only difference between one had a guide price and a 'get in touch for an accurate quote' type statement, the other had a 'get in touch for a quote' with no price information.

There was a noticeable difference in the number of website quote requests between the two as we received far less quotes when showing prices. We work in a fiercely competitive industry so we tend to win business because we show a real interest in the needs of our customers. Without getting quotes we weren't able to do this and missed out on that vital customer interaction.

No prices is by far the best option of us. But as AdamJ mentioned, this is for B2B services and it's a different situation on consumer/e-commerce sites.

Prices or no prices!

Simon-M

RayB

pvcprinting

CKG

Calibre Designs

Simon-M

Calibre Designs

SK Virtual Assistant

RayB

INDIZINE

Deleted member 3454

RayB

office man

creospace

Calibre Designs

creospace

creospace

Polly

EnrageEnterprise

Calibre Designs

RayB

Promise Clean

Promise Clean