Opinions on Rates for Flash & Web Design?

[Denaes]

I feel like a schmuck almost, but I know there are a lot of pro's who hang out here.

I'm just halfway through college (got my 2yr degree, working for my 4yr degree) and I've had Professors ask me to make web pages for them, or refer other people to me for webservices.

Now I'm basically charging like 100 dollars for a page, but what is a good rate?

Should you break it down into initial site and then upkeep? One professor just kept asking for something, then changing it. I think I've done 4 complete site designs for him in total.

I lost a job for being too cheap also! My mother-in-law works at a doctors office and one of the practitioners wanted a site to advertise their eye surgery. I said "well 100 plus operating costs (server, domain name, etc)". It turns out that they went with someone else because they thought I was too cheap and they'd get better work with someone charging more money (but apparently not charging too much).

I just really need to find out what sort of rates are appropriate for HTML design, Flash Websites, Flash Programming, Programming (I do VB and VB.NET), Computer Recovery and minor repairs.

I honestly don't want to rip anyone off, but I don't want to be ripped off either! :eek:

[farafiro]

You will find a lotta of Q&A like this in the General Chat forums
I will move this to there also

[vilehelm]

Per usual this depends a lot on where you live.

However for your age and experience and the marketplace, somewhere around $15-25 an hour. Estimate how long it will take you to complete the job and go from there. Remember to factor in things like revisions, meeting with the client and talking, running around if anything is done. I'm not always so draconian about it but I consider the time I get in the car to drive to the meeting to the time I get home to be "on the clock".

You use up more hours than you think. Always give yourself a little padding.

[Denaes]

Thats one thing I worry about. You may THINK 300 is a good deal (especially starting off), but after you get everything all worked out... you find out you're working for like 4 dollars an hour, just off the books (maybe) and something you like as opposed to flipping burgers.

Though I'd guess sometimes connections made may offset that. Theres a reason why places have clearance sales... just to get people in the store and see whats there. Maybe they'll pick up something not so discounted as well.

[webguy]

Though I'd guess sometimes connections made may offset that

From experience I think that you should never undercut your price for a promise of the next job. Its like letting go of the bird in your hand for the one flying. Chances are if you get any additional work through your job, it will be because of the work you did and not any work that the client did.

I find that companies are easy with money when you speak of longevity. Let them know that their website will last an eternity with basic upkeep. Quote that. Companies like the one I work for, pay for quality and expect discounts for quantity. That is only where you should cut your costs. When you are recieving business from the same company. I often do sites for a local ISP, and I give them discounted rates because they then markup the price. I get mine and they get something for their troubles. The business of issueing and collecting payment is certainly another forte altogether. I'm very lucid with computers but extremely confusing when speaking with customers. Often this works to my advantage, because they aren't techinical people and normally want to hear the technical aspects if they can understand them. If they can't understand them they will understand what they are paying for.

FORCE QUIT RANT:

webG