First Post

[delboy1875]

Hey everyone this is my first post and it was really just to get as much advice as i could about a topic. I am just really starting out doing some freelance web design work. I am looking to undertake some projects but the only problem is well pricing and marketing. I have been reading alot of the things on the forum all of which valid and interesting points. Alot of people are saying that charging cheap will attract time wasters and can give you a bad reputation which i agree it could. The only problem is i am learning and i have only designed about 3 or 4 websites, which are coded well enough and dont look too bad, however i dont feel i am in a postion to charge anything over 200-300 pounds. Although charging more would attract more respectable and reliable clients, they would ofcourse respect a higher quality and more professional or very professional quality of work, which i am not really confident of producing at this stage. Obviously everyone has to learn and you only get better through experience and practice. I am aiming to try and target small businesses imparticular and was just wondering if anyone has tips on how i could target them, market my product and enhance my reputation. Any help greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[GlennLindley]

As you are nw to this and like you stay still learning you are not going to be able to attract new big clients and charge more.

Do a couple of sites for people on here for free or real cheap build a small portfolio and grow from there. The other option could be in your local town, there is probably loads of small businesses that don't have a web presence, drop some flyers off or go and talk to them.

People are not going to pay you until they see a portfolio of good work to compare too.

 

[delboy1875]

Thanks for your advice. I have designed about 3 to date and they are coded well. I think like you say the best option is to target small businesses firstly. At least i have some evidence of work which is positive and I was thinking of charging somewhere in the region of 150 - 200 pound for a 5/6 page site. I suppose that is quite cheap compared to a lot of web design companies. Also small business owners may find dealing with large corporate businesses a bit daunting especially if they do not know much about the web and hopefully they may feel more comfortable discussing the prospect of a site on a one to one basis. I was also considering making my cv available to download on my portfolio as this would provide assurance of who I am and the qualifications that I possess.

 

[eddavishofbauer]

Hi,

My wife and I are planning to start up as designers, me on the web, her more focussed on print.

I am facing similar thoughts as you. The way I see it though is that it easier to lower prices than to raise them so if you are feeling unconfident about pricing simply price a project as you were thinking but say that it is discounted rate.

i.e. you think you're only worth £300 - tell clients that this is a 50% discounted rate as you're starting out or because of the credit crunch.

Or if you're feeling more positive price yourself as a competitor with more experience then discount. Either way when you feel more competent you can work at the rate you deserve.

Just an idea.

Ed

 

[BusinessIdeas]

Its probably best to offer a range of prices. You could do sites from a template at a much lower rate than a fully bespoke site with unique logo design for instance..

 

[delboy1875]

Thank you for the advice, I will certainly consider that, the credit crunch discount is a great idea, it allows me to charge reasonable prices, whilst not getting a reputation for being cheap. Also in a couple of years when the credit crunch is hopefully resolved, i can charge standard rate and hopefully my skills will have developed to a more advanced stage by then.