Pricing on Website?
- Thread starter Richard Franklin
- Start date
It really depends on the product/ service and the selling process.
You could offer a priced 'base package' and move forward from there.
In my business I feel it would be actively misleading to talk price since there are so many variables in what the customer will be offered. That said I have competitors whose 'offer' rates from 4% -personally I'd say it is misleading, bordering on deceitful.
You could offer a priced 'base package' and move forward from there.
In my business I feel it would be actively misleading to talk price since there are so many variables in what the customer will be offered. That said I have competitors whose 'offer' rates from 4% -personally I'd say it is misleading, bordering on deceitful.
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What's the service, and what level are you aiming for? I offer different types of service on my website. Some have prices and some don't. Dog walking has prices, which are higher than most other people in my town, but my website is usually the first one they come across and I'm most responsive to returning calls. My other services are much more premium (one to one training), so I like to speak to people to offer the benefits and build a relationship so they buy from me.
I listed prices on one of my premium services last year that was my BUSIEST on the training side as an experiment. I was so busy working on the dog walker training side as well for a few months as having to dog walk after 2 staff left at once that if no one called it wasn't a disaster. I haven't had very many calls, and not really any bookings. Yet it used to be my busiest... I have still been selling that service, but people are buying it under another guise (if that makes sense). I'm redoing that page of my site and will be removing prices.
I listed prices on one of my premium services last year that was my BUSIEST on the training side as an experiment. I was so busy working on the dog walker training side as well for a few months as having to dog walk after 2 staff left at once that if no one called it wasn't a disaster. I haven't had very many calls, and not really any bookings. Yet it used to be my busiest... I have still been selling that service, but people are buying it under another guise (if that makes sense). I'm redoing that page of my site and will be removing prices.
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S
Scott@KarmaContent
It's different for different businesses/industries but personally, if it's the sort of service that should be able to give me a set price (or at least an idea of a price) and they don't publish it I'll tend not to bother with them as there's always the suspicion they're charging what they can get away with.
Some people see publishing prices as a risking getting less enquiries about their services. I actually see that as a positive. There's no point patting yourself on the back about how many quotes you're sending out if only a small number become customers. Publishing prices immediately filters out a LOT of time-wasters and your quote to conversion ratio should go up.
Some people see publishing prices as a risking getting less enquiries about their services. I actually see that as a positive. There's no point patting yourself on the back about how many quotes you're sending out if only a small number become customers. Publishing prices immediately filters out a LOT of time-wasters and your quote to conversion ratio should go up.
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From a business standpoint, it's always better to show pricing on your website. But not all businesses are same.
In case you don't want to show pricing publicly, then ask users to contact you for pricing.
Another good option is, ask users to sign-up with a Username, Email Address and Phone number etc, to download pricing list. In this way you will get details of interested users and can contact them one-on-one for further discussions.
Do you like this suggestion? Love to hear from you!
Need further help? Let me know what is you business niche, so I can figure it out in better way.
In case you don't want to show pricing publicly, then ask users to contact you for pricing.
Another good option is, ask users to sign-up with a Username, Email Address and Phone number etc, to download pricing list. In this way you will get details of interested users and can contact them one-on-one for further discussions.
Do you like this suggestion? Love to hear from you!
Need further help? Let me know what is you business niche, so I can figure it out in better way.
Upvote
0
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Nochexman
It is really helpful to buyers if you can define your service so tightly that there can be no doubt what you are offering. And, if you can define it tightly you can price it. Much more effective than leaving it to consumers to contact you to work out how much something they want will cost. Much easier for you to market as well.
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Nochexman
What did you decide to do Richard? Always interesting to hear how people used the advice they were offered.
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If I was looking for someone to preform a service for me, the chances are |I would fist look for a site that showed prices. I would then compare those sites with prices and narrow it down a bit. Then I would contact a few at discuss further. Those with no prices would not get a look in for no other reason than they did not show a price. They may be the best business to do what I want, but because for what ever reason there was no price, they would not be considered.
I think if you can show a price of some sort it is better than showing no price. Now that I have said that, you must be careful not to scare new customers away, or to show a price that has no relation to what people that are looking for your service would expect to pay.
I think if you can show a price of some sort it is better than showing no price. Now that I have said that, you must be careful not to scare new customers away, or to show a price that has no relation to what people that are looking for your service would expect to pay.
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As most salesmen know, someone asking for the price is one of the strongest buying signals.
Someone who looks for a website that provides prices isn't necessarily 'buying on price alone', or even necessarily that interested what that price is.
I don't choose women by the size of their breasts, but it may still be the first place I'd look.
Someone who looks for a website that provides prices isn't necessarily 'buying on price alone', or even necessarily that interested what that price is.
I don't choose women by the size of their breasts, but it may still be the first place I'd look.
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For me fixed pricing in web design and development is impossible. Absolutely impossible. It's like putting a fixed price on someone asking "I want you to build me a house".
Would you fix price in that? Do they want a small house, do they want a large house? Does it need a swimming pool? You could fix price on 120,000 when the house and work load is worth beyond 500,000.
You cannot fix price website design and builds.
Instead, when they make an enquiry have something prepared for them to build a picture of what their website might contain in terms of pages, functions and content. This could be a written document, a blog post, audio content or a video.
Always assume that this is the clients first website project, that they know nothing about website design and development, treat them with respect and provide them with direction to build that bigger picture. Once you do that, you'll have great success and will be able to quote a lot better and make more return.
You can actually find a document on my website if you Scroll to the blue section on the homepage and add your details and you'll see a document that provides this information.
Good luck!!
Would you fix price in that? Do they want a small house, do they want a large house? Does it need a swimming pool? You could fix price on 120,000 when the house and work load is worth beyond 500,000.
You cannot fix price website design and builds.
Instead, when they make an enquiry have something prepared for them to build a picture of what their website might contain in terms of pages, functions and content. This could be a written document, a blog post, audio content or a video.
Always assume that this is the clients first website project, that they know nothing about website design and development, treat them with respect and provide them with direction to build that bigger picture. Once you do that, you'll have great success and will be able to quote a lot better and make more return.
You can actually find a document on my website if you Scroll to the blue section on the homepage and add your details and you'll see a document that provides this information.
Good luck!!
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I agree totally with the above. Speaking as just a consumer, I will often look up the price of an item on the internet, just to find out roughly how much that item costs, without any intention of buying it online, and then use that price as a guide to buy in a bricks and mortar shop where I am often able to negotiate a good discount. I did it yesterday where I am afraid the Screwfix website and a few other online websites provided me with just the information I needed, thank you very much, before walking into a shop and walking out with the item at a lower price than I could find online.
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This is quite a good point. You can get some time-wasters who have no intention of buying any of your services when they contact you. However, the conversation usually runs out with them and they quicly go away after a few uncomfortable silences once you realise that they have called in bad faith.Showing prices can also deter tyre kickers
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Another useful point of displaying prices on a website is to define what it is you sell, and how.
If you sell a product or service that the buyer is likely to be a first time shopper for most of the time, then they may not understand how that product or service is priced or packaged.
People look at the price list to understand much more than just the price.
If you sell a product or service that the buyer is likely to be a first time shopper for most of the time, then they may not understand how that product or service is priced or packaged.
People look at the price list to understand much more than just the price.
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I think a few people are the same but I've been criticised by some big agencies for having cost illustrations.
d
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I generally believe if you have a set price it can stop those who wouldn't pay your fees calling you, saving you time taking lead calls which are pointless. I'd agree with the above, create 2 versions of the page you want the pricing on and carry out a split test (can easily be done in Analytics) that way you have the exact data to back up your final decision
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R
Root 66 Woodshop
Products - YES
Services - No.
How you can suggest that a company which provides a service would not get your work because they didn't show prices on their website is beyond me... Seriously think about what you've just said... you expect a company... let's say for instance a Locksmith... (Which I am) provide you with a price for an installation or replacing a security product without knowing what kind of doors or windows you have?
That is completely ludicrous and you deserve to be ripped off... seriously, the only companies out there that put up prices are a quick fix, man and van jobsworth who'll take your money and run... pretty much like the national companies out there that charge stupid prices to people that either don't have a clue or vulnerable people like Grandma's, our parents etc. rather than ring around and have done work by insurance approved companies...
We refuse to put pricing on our website because until we get to site we cannot justify a price.
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R
Root 66 Woodshop
Let's look at the perspective of the installation of a product, i.e. my company providing you with a service...
Let's say for instance you buy a new house - you go out and get a quote for insurance... insurance states that your dead locks need to be a minimum of BS3621
You go online and see two websites
Website one
states installation cost being £85 (non VAT registered company)
Website two - a Master Locksmith Association approved company (insurance approved).
doesn't state any pricing however states all installations conform to BS3621
Which would you go for?
you then find another website... which is a national company
Website 3
all installations conform to BS3621 - price states £150 + VAT
We've been called out to so many dodgy installations - Mech failures that hadn't actually failed - non BS locks installed on external wooden doors - Night latches installed on UPVC doors - incorrect Cylinders installed on UPVC doors which don't work! the list is endless to be honest... (Majority being done by National Locksmiths)...
FYI - A Wooden door lock change costs with us £75 + VAT - depending on what is already on the door - you can't expect to pay that price when you have a Chubb 3K74 Mortise lock on the door which costs £60 + VAT - no other lock would fit in it's hole therefore a Locksmith would replace it like for like... or even offer to re-lever
This is just one example - I can pretty much guarantee that there's 100's if not 1000's of examples where folk have gone online seen a price - paid for it only to not get what they were expecting, simply because they couldn't be arsed to research the company or what they want is within their budget.
Each and every job is different, irrelevant of the similarity.
Let's say for instance you buy a new house - you go out and get a quote for insurance... insurance states that your dead locks need to be a minimum of BS3621
You go online and see two websites
Website one
states installation cost being £85 (non VAT registered company)
Website two - a Master Locksmith Association approved company (insurance approved).
doesn't state any pricing however states all installations conform to BS3621
Which would you go for?
you then find another website... which is a national company
Website 3
all installations conform to BS3621 - price states £150 + VAT
We've been called out to so many dodgy installations - Mech failures that hadn't actually failed - non BS locks installed on external wooden doors - Night latches installed on UPVC doors - incorrect Cylinders installed on UPVC doors which don't work! the list is endless to be honest... (Majority being done by National Locksmiths)...
FYI - A Wooden door lock change costs with us £75 + VAT - depending on what is already on the door - you can't expect to pay that price when you have a Chubb 3K74 Mortise lock on the door which costs £60 + VAT - no other lock would fit in it's hole therefore a Locksmith would replace it like for like... or even offer to re-lever
This is just one example - I can pretty much guarantee that there's 100's if not 1000's of examples where folk have gone online seen a price - paid for it only to not get what they were expecting, simply because they couldn't be arsed to research the company or what they want is within their budget.
Each and every job is different, irrelevant of the similarity.
Last edited by a moderator:
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Just because a say average price range is shown on the web site this does not mean you have to be fixed to it until you agree a price, I think most of us who want prices shown accept things can be different but a indication puts your mind at ease you are not going to be ripped off
You could for instance say our BS3621 approved locks start at £70 plus fitting, if old lock is of a different design then there may be additional costs
You could for instance say our BS3621 approved locks start at £70 plus fitting, if old lock is of a different design then there may be additional costs
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R
Root 66 Woodshop
Hi Chris,
Why would we lie like that? that wouldn't get us anywhere... BS Locks start at £15 + VAT - there are some BS locks out there which are £100 + VAT - but as I said earlier, if you've got the most expensive lock on your door - then we couldn't possibly state that we charge X on a website when your lock has a retail value of our normal installation costs...
If you contact a national locksmiths one who claims to have Locksmith's all over the country - but obviously sub-contract the work out then there will be shown pricing, hell they even quote over the phone... that is without a doubt - locks changed for £90 + VAT however once such companies arrive and "assess" the job I can guarantee you one thing... you're paying over double the amount for no reason at all.
It is very rare for a national locksmith company to charge list prices shown or quoted over the phone - which is why we refuse to be associated with such companies.
MLA Locksmiths are DBS (CRB Checked)
MLA Locksmiths are vetted
MLA Locksmiths install what you need for insurance purposes
MLA Locksmiths WILL NOT rip you off
Some MLA Locksmiths are even SIA and SSIAB approved companies giving you complete understanding of who we are and what we do.
Don't get me wrong, there are some good old honest lockies out there - but when it boils down to nationals - it's not their fault... it's all down to cashing in on vulnerable people and taking whatever they can whenever they can.
If people want a price from any industry that involves work on a home or business - Call the company... it's easy! They need to assess before giving a price out either on a website or over the phone.
Example 1.
A customer called yesterday asking for a price to fix their UPVC door as it wasn't working correctly.
After just 3 questions about what was happening I was able to determine the issue and suggest to the customer to pop in to the shop I can show them how to change the cylinder in under 2 minutes thus saving them our call out charge/labour charge for doing it for them.
They came in, bought the cylinder and left knowing that what I'd just done for them had saved them a lot of money.
Example 2.
A customer called yesterday asking for a price to fix their UPVC door as they'd had someone else out who had quoted over £300. After asking them to describe the issue I was able to determine that all they needed was a new mechanism - we stock a retro-fit mechanism which means we don't have to charge extortionate prices we charge £160 + VAT for a complete new mechanism to be installed.
They had it fitted at 6.30pm last night.
Our website directs people to contacting us - the best service we can give is to treat each and every customer with the same respect but each and every job completely different.
We've been doing this for the 9 years that I've been here - we've never had an issue with getting customers - we probably never will as we're also an approved company by local councils.
Why would we lie like that? that wouldn't get us anywhere... BS Locks start at £15 + VAT - there are some BS locks out there which are £100 + VAT - but as I said earlier, if you've got the most expensive lock on your door - then we couldn't possibly state that we charge X on a website when your lock has a retail value of our normal installation costs...
If you contact a national locksmiths one who claims to have Locksmith's all over the country - but obviously sub-contract the work out then there will be shown pricing, hell they even quote over the phone... that is without a doubt - locks changed for £90 + VAT however once such companies arrive and "assess" the job I can guarantee you one thing... you're paying over double the amount for no reason at all.
It is very rare for a national locksmith company to charge list prices shown or quoted over the phone - which is why we refuse to be associated with such companies.
MLA Locksmiths are DBS (CRB Checked)
MLA Locksmiths are vetted
MLA Locksmiths install what you need for insurance purposes
MLA Locksmiths WILL NOT rip you off
Some MLA Locksmiths are even SIA and SSIAB approved companies giving you complete understanding of who we are and what we do.
Don't get me wrong, there are some good old honest lockies out there - but when it boils down to nationals - it's not their fault... it's all down to cashing in on vulnerable people and taking whatever they can whenever they can.
If people want a price from any industry that involves work on a home or business - Call the company... it's easy! They need to assess before giving a price out either on a website or over the phone.
Example 1.
A customer called yesterday asking for a price to fix their UPVC door as it wasn't working correctly.
After just 3 questions about what was happening I was able to determine the issue and suggest to the customer to pop in to the shop I can show them how to change the cylinder in under 2 minutes thus saving them our call out charge/labour charge for doing it for them.
They came in, bought the cylinder and left knowing that what I'd just done for them had saved them a lot of money.
Example 2.
A customer called yesterday asking for a price to fix their UPVC door as they'd had someone else out who had quoted over £300. After asking them to describe the issue I was able to determine that all they needed was a new mechanism - we stock a retro-fit mechanism which means we don't have to charge extortionate prices we charge £160 + VAT for a complete new mechanism to be installed.
They had it fitted at 6.30pm last night.
Our website directs people to contacting us - the best service we can give is to treat each and every customer with the same respect but each and every job completely different.
We've been doing this for the 9 years that I've been here - we've never had an issue with getting customers - we probably never will as we're also an approved company by local councils.
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M
MarekBober
Diverse prices for B2B, B2C, for price comparison services, market places, eBay, Amazon... please remember you need tool which makes it easy and keep you on top of the things. When you have 100 products in catalogue it is not difficult but when you have 30000 products spreadsheet is not enough to keep prices updated...
In Idosell Shop this problem has been solved in professional way, even you can sync your catalogue on daily basis with automatic repricing and supplier availability checkup.
Happy to help
Marek
In Idosell Shop this problem has been solved in professional way, even you can sync your catalogue on daily basis with automatic repricing and supplier availability checkup.
Happy to help
Marek
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Nochexman
Hi Richard, we seem to have come a long way from your original question!
It seems that there is a general concensus here that in principle if you can publish prices on your website, even if they are just indicative that is a good thing.
However, if you are a locksmith then other rules apply.
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I'm afraid you missed the point of that comment. Put another way, agencies who are big and successful have suggested to us, a smaller agency, they don't put prices on their site and don't think it's a good idea. I disagree with them.
d
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