I've knocked out a couple of websites gratis for local non-profits, but have had inquiries on how much I'd charge to create websites for other folks with actual money. I want to create a fee structure, but don't have a clue as to what to charge and "whatever the market will bear" is little or no help to me as an answer. I need specifics, if anyone can give me some guidance, it would be appreciated.
-Mike

I'd say the best thing to do is find out what other people are charging in your area, and adjust your rates accordingly.

I know when I was looking for an answer to that question, I managed to find quite a lot of information by Googling "how much for a web site" and similar. Never easy when you start charging the first times. But if you are confident in your skills, don't undercharge, but be prepared to discuss "discounts" for special circumstances - eg.charity sites and similar. They are still a good way to get yourself known and for people to pass the word around...

I created a fee structure based on "design quotes" calculator (just google web design calculator). There are two ways I go about this. First, I created a form that lists all of my services. I have them fill out the form, then I give them a free quote. There is no market in web design so forget that idea.

On average here is what professional design firms charge (you can evaluate your skills based on these numbers)

E-commerce: Remember that most e-commerce companies charge per month. That is great for us with CC software. We can advertise that we charge only one time with no hidden charges. (1-100 products) 25.00 a month. (100-250) 40.00 a month. (250-1000 products) 60.00 a month (unlimited) 75.00 a month.

You could probably get away charging for a store of 250 products, 800.00 (as long as you add some extras).

Web design:

This is a bit more difficult. How I charge is different from most. I start very low and use templates at or around 299.99 for a five page site. If I have to customize something from scratch, then I usually double or more the price depending on how many pages they have. From there I have applications listed for additional costs (these are your money makers). They can add or subtract depending on what their budget allows.

Some tips:

Ask in your initial questions what their budget is, then ask yourself if you think you can create something for what they can afford. This will mean that at times you charge one person more than another for the same work. But, its how you make money.

Hope this helps. Feel free to visit my site to see how I have things organized.

I found this site very useful.

http://www.sprucepinedesign.com/index.html

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this package goes well on our site (NZD)

3Rings Easy CMS Template Package $600 + GST (tax)

Our Easy CMS Package includes everything you need to get your message out to the world....
• Basic Graphical template design
• Template Build
• Database Build
• Admin interface for content editing
• Search Engine Optimisation and submissions
• Flash Contact form
• 1 hour training & support

with any additions (specialised databases, forms, flash movies, photogallery etc) quoted separately - usually as x many hours @ $80/hr - 1/2hr minimum charge

Some sites i just quote an hourly rate straight up - like the ones where i have to deal with design companies (grr - no you cant have that font for all the text) for the bigger corporates - some of those can come out around the $5G+ mark

ecommerce sites i custom code starting at $1000

Many of the bigger design companies hereabouts start their quotes at $10G uneditable and go up from there - so i'm the cheap end of the market...

and like Janys says - word of mouth is where most of your work will come from - i've never advertised beyond our website - but i always have work on...

Is your 3Rings CMS based on an open source CMS or did you hand code the entire CMS?

I hand coded it - so i'm able to very easily adapt it to any design or data needs

Your site is very nice. I actually made a site based on the same color scheme once.

lol - our site is sadly in need of an overhaul - bit like a mechanics car... - it still goes and i'm too busy keeping other people on the road