Your Ultimate Guide To Pricing Web Design! [Freelancing]

Are you a freelancer pricing web design? If so then read on as this guide is for you. Freelance web design is one of the most popular freelance jobs to do these days.

More and more start-ups are choosing to outsource their work to designers instead of hiring an in-house team of engineers and programmers.

We’ve all been there, confused about how much to charge for our services and feeling like we’re being ripped off by every other designer out there. We then think that surely they know more than us and so they are definitely worth what they are asking. In some cases it is true, but generally, the price is decided by the client, not the agency or freelancer.

So what’s the solution? I’ll tell you one thing for sure, “Never job-hunt any longer!”

How Much to Charge for a Website: Web Design Pricing Guide

Key Takeaways
Web design freelancers should establish a pricing strategy based on their skills, experience, and target market.
Factors such as the scope of the project, client budget, and timeline should also be taken into account when setting prices.
Offering package deals and implementing value-based pricing can help web design freelancers increase their revenue.
Freelancers should be confident in their pricing and avoid undervaluing their services to attract clients.
Constantly evaluating and adjusting pricing strategies can help freelancers stay competitive and profitable in the long run.

Table of Contents

1. Do Your Research

How to price your services properly? By doing your research. Research the market and your competitors. What is the average rate in your area of expertise? How much will you charge for a website design project?

Before you decide on these questions, think about who’s going to hire you and what are they looking for?

Here are some questions you need answers to before starting a new project:

Do they have experience with this kind of work?
If not, be prepared to spend more time getting them up to speed

Are they well-funded?

Asking about the budget can be embarrassing or uncomfortable, but it’s definitely better than wasting time – both yours and theirs – on something that won’t get off the ground anyway. Don’t ignore this step! Make sure it’s worth it. If they don’t like your price, ask yourself if this is a person or company you’d like to work with (or not).

Are they flexible or do they want only a very specific solution?

Setting the right price for your web design services can be a challenge, but it can make or break your business. Our guide on the shocking truth about pricing your web design services reveals the secrets to setting the right price for your services and maximizing your profits.

2. What’s Their Worth?

Your worth is how much you’re charging for your time. Your client’s worth is how much they can (or want) to pay for your services. This comes down to budget and expectations; if you’re a freelance designer, it’s not difficult to find clients who are willing to pay $500-$1000+ for a website.

And while these might be the ones who make it easier on you financially, they may not necessarily be the best fit. Even if you have enough experience that this price range is appropriate for what they’re getting, it doesn’t mean that it’s appropriate for them.

If they only have $200 or $300 set aside for their site, by overcharging them you run the risk of wasting both theirs and your own time on a project that will never come to fruition (which can happen).

3. Set A Full-Time Wage Goal

A common mistake that freelancers make is underpricing themselves. This can happen in a multitude of ways: working too many hours, not charging enough per hour, or neglecting to charge for tasks like client meetings and revisions. A great way to price your work as accurately as possible is to determine what you would be paid if you had a full-time job with benefits.

First, figure out how much salary you need per year by adding your annual expenses and multiplying by 12 (this will account for things like taxes and health insurance). Next, divide that number by 52 weeks in the year.

This tells us what we need to make in one week assuming we’re working 40 hours a week for 50 weeks (the 2 weeks off are just used to calculate taxes). Divide this weekly figure by the total number of hours you can work per week; this tells us how much we should be charging per hour if we were working full time as a freelancer.

Hiring a freelance web designer can be a great way to save money, but how much should you actually pay them? Our guide on how much you should pay your freelance web designer provides valuable insights on what factors to consider when setting your budget and finding the right freelancer for your project.

4. Figure Out How Many Hours You Can Work Per Week

Because you’re dealing with an hourly rate, it’s good to know how many hours you can devote to a client.

In order to figure this out, take a look at your previous working week and estimate how many hours you were able to spend on design and how many hours you were able to spend on building.

Don’t forget about the other tasks that come along with running a business like admin work, marketing, and education!

These factors will help you decide where your services are priced. For example: if your business is mainly admin work and not much design/building, then it may make sense for you to charge something like $30-$50 per hour instead of $100+ per hour as a designer or developer might.

5. Understand The Difference In Design Vs Build Time

One of the most important things to understand is the difference in design vs build time. Design time is upfront and builds time takes place after. The reason this is so important to understand when pricing your web design project is because you need to create designs before you can build.

This means that oftentimes, design time will be more expensive than build time since it:

Is often a more experienced skill set involved
Takes longer to complete

Because of this, if you want your client’s website to look good, expect them to pay a little bit more for the design phase of their web project.

6. Know That There Is No Right Or Wrong Way To Charge

Know that there is no right or wrong way to charge. You can charge for the finished product, for the time it takes to build, or in some cases, even by the hour. There are countless ways of looking at this process. The best part is, you can choose how you want to do it!

You are not obligated to offer a service based on what other people have done in the past. You can be different if you want to be different! Take this as an opportunity to learn and grow as a web designer by thinking outside of the box.

As a freelance web designer, it’s important to develop the right mindset and habits to succeed in the industry. Our guide on 12 tips for freelancing success provides actionable advice on everything from managing your time to building a portfolio that stands out.

7. Find What Works Best For You And Your Clients!

If they don’t understand pricing based on your current method of charging, explain it to them so they have a better understanding of why they should pay more (or less) than another client who asked before them! This will help create good relationships between designers and their clients because there will be no misunderstandings about payment when projects begin working together.”

Make sure you do your research, know what’s worth the cost, and know what type of work you are doing.

As a web designer, you are the expert. You know your way around Photoshop and coding better than anyone. Your clients may have great ideas, but when it comes to execution, they are relying on your expertise. This is why it’s important that you do your research and have a good idea of what type of work you will be doing before quoting a fee.

8. Make Sure You Know What’s Worth The Cost

Before any project gets started, get together with your client(s) to discuss what they need from their website. What are their goals? What functionalities are necessary for them to reach these goals? Are there specific features that would make their life easier or benefit their customers?

Once you have a good handle on what needs to be done, take an educated guess at how much time these tasks will take. Then add in some extra hours for yourself—just in case something goes over schedule or an unforeseen complication arises.

And trust me: no matter how well-prepared you think you might be, something always seems to go wrong. It’s better to charge too much than undercharging and find yourself having taken on more work than you can reasonably handle.

9. Make Sure Your Client Knows What They’re Paying For

If someone asked me to build them a house I’d turn around and ask them “what kind of house?” Do they want three bedrooms? A pool in the backyard? An extra half-bath downstairs?

Without knowing exactly what they need and want from this new home I wouldn’t even know where to begin! It’s funny when I hear people say things like “I just need a simple website” or “Can’t it just be one page with my logo…and maybe my phone number?” As if websites come as generic packages off the shelf.

Unless we determine exactly what needs to go into this site from the beginning—and whether those needs are even feasible given constraints such as

Estimating project budgets accurately is crucial to the success of any freelance web design project. Our guide on estimating freelance web design project budgets provides practical tips and tools for ensuring that you set the right price and deliver on your promises to clients.

10. Know Your Market

This is probably the most important thing, so I’m telling it first. You need to know what the going rates are for web design in your area. If people in Kansas City are paying $5 an hour for web design and people in San Francisco are paying $100 an hour, then obviously you don’t want to charge $100 an hour unless you live in San Francisco!

11. Know Your Competition

The first step to pricing a web design project is to know your competition. What other designers are offering similar services? How much do they charge? Knowing this information will give you a baseline for what you can charge, as well as help you understand how much clients expect to pay for their projects.

12. Be Confident

I couldn’t do this list without including this one. As a web designer, you need to be confident in your pricing and services. If you don’t believe it, your clients won’t either.

It’s important that you understand that your client is a business owner and most likely has no idea how much web design costs. It is your job to educate them on the process, let them know what you charge and why and be confident when doing so. You are not a bad person for charging what you do and if they aren’t willing to pay then they aren’t your ideal client.

13. Don’t Be Afraid To Say No

When you’re just starting out, it might seem like any client is a good client. And in some ways, it is! But if a prospective client is asking for things that you know are going to be really hard or impossible to deliver on, don’t be afraid to say no.

It’s better for you and for the client in the long run if they find someone who can do what they want right than it is for you to take on a project that will make you want to claw your eyes out.

14. Don’t Undersell Yourself

Don’t undersell yourself. You’ve put a lot of time and effort into getting good at web design, so don’t sell yourself short!

Think about what it takes to run a business: taxes, insurance, marketing, hiring employees, etc. You have to pay for all that stuff out of your own pocket. If you’re charging $30/hour for your services but paying out $40/hour in expenses, you’re losing money!

Marketing your freelance web design business can be a challenge, but it’s essential to attracting new clients and growing your business. Our guide on web design marketing tips for freelancers covers everything from building your personal brand to creating a strong online presence, so you can stand out in a crowded market.

15. Set A Budget

Clients will often tell you what they’re looking to spend, but more often than not they won’t have a set number in mind. Whether you decide to charge by the hour or by the project, you should have a price range to show your client.

If their budget is lower than your quote, you can explain how you could make it work with that lower amount or even offer alternative solutions to help them achieve their goals.

Final Thought

As a freelance designer, you will always be in charge of your own pricing but that doesn’t mean that you can literally set your own price.

Even if you’re working for yourself, you have to consider the value of your time and services. Your prices should reflect this value, which is why this ultimate guide includes an entire section on how to figure out how much you should charge clients.

Of course, there are other factors at play as well like how much you love your job and what kinds of projects you want to take on so make sure that you look over all 15 points in this guide before deciding on what your freelance rates should be.

FAQs

What are some common pricing models for freelance web development?

There are several pricing models that freelance web developers commonly use, including hourly rates, fixed project rates, and value-based pricing. Each model has its advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to choose the right one based on your experience level, the scope of the project, and the client’s needs.

How do I determine my hourly rate as a freelance web developer?

Calculating your hourly rate as a freelance web developer requires you to consider various factors, such as your experience level, the local market, and the level of demand for your services. You can also use online tools to calculate your hourly rate based on your desired income and the number of hours you plan to work each week.

What are some effective strategies for negotiating rates with clients?

Negotiating rates with clients can be tricky, but there are several strategies you can use to ensure that you get paid what you’re worth. Some effective tactics include emphasizing the value you bring to the project, being willing to compromise on certain terms, and establishing a strong rapport with the client.

How do I manage my time effectively as a freelance web developer?

Managing your time effectively is essential to running a successful freelance web development business. Some tips for effective time management include setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, prioritizing tasks based on their importance, and using productivity tools to stay organized and on track.

How can I market my freelance web development business effectively?

Marketing your freelance web development business effectively requires a multifaceted approach that includes building a strong online presence, networking with other professionals in your industry, and showcasing your skills and experience through a well-crafted portfolio. You can also consider leveraging social media platforms and other digital marketing channels to reach a wider audience and attract more clients.

What Do You Do When A Client Asks For A Fixed-Price Web Design Quote?

You could go along with the flow and tell them what they want to hear, or you could differentiate yourself from the crowd and set realistic expectations. My aim is to take some of the mystery out of pricing. In this article, I’ll show you exactly how I calculate my web design quotes and give you some resources to help with your pricing strategy.

What Is The Difference Between A Web Design And A Website?

A web design is the style and layout of your website. It includes colors, fonts, and images. The look of your site will be determined by this process.

A website is made up of more than just a web design. It also includes things like the content management system (CMS), e-commerce platform, social media integration, and online store software.

How Do I Know How Much To Charge For My Services?

The short answer is that you need to figure out what your needs are, and then charge enough to meet those needs. The long answer is that there’s a lot of math involved in figuring out what you should charge, but we’ve put together a helpful guide on how to determine your cost per hour by calculating your hourly rate.

What Are Your Favorite Apps/Tools For Web Design?

My favorite apps for web design are Pixlr, Canva, and Adobe Photoshop. I use Pixlr for all of my image editing needs. It’s a great app that has so many features and is super easy to use. I also love Canva because it makes creating graphics super easy and fast. And finally, Adobe Photoshop is my go-to tool when it comes to anything design-related!

How long does it take to build a website?

It depends! It can take anywhere from a few hours to a few months, depending on the scope of the project.

The amount of time it takes is dependent upon how many pages you need, how many features those pages have, and how complex those features are.

It’s also important to consider whether you want to build your own website or have a freelancer do it for you.

If you want to build your own site, make sure you have enough knowledge about HTML and CSS so that you can do this yourself.

Does My Business Need A Website?

Yes, your business needs a website. The internet has become the most important way for people to find you and your products or services.

More and more consumers are turning to the internet for information about which businesses are best for them, and if your company doesn’t have a website, then potential customers will never find it!

Also, having a website will make it easier for you to reach new customers and increase sales. Many people think that websites are just for big businesses, but even small businesses can benefit from having a website. In fact, many small business owners are surprised by how much more customers they can attract by having a website.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.