The Rules of Pricing your Design Services

[blueocto]

Came across this article, thought it mgiht be of some use...

The Rules of Pricing your Design Services

Web designers, especially freelance designers find pricing their services is something that they have to deal with alongside their job. Some may find it a bit uncomfortable; nevertheless they have to deal with it because pricing is one factor that makes their job a professional one as it gives monetary value to their work.

[defragmybrain]

OOh thanks for the article; and the blog is great.

[D856C]

A couple of extra points.

One is the sales savvy of the designer. Most could use a heavy dose of sales training. Like anything, once you're exposed to sales you lose your discomfort asking what you're worth.

Next if the designer's website were a sales person, you'd fire them. It astounds me how brazen designers are in claiming everything for their site design sales prowess they couldn't generate face-to-face if their life depended on it.

Price is a score keeper of perceived value. And face it, for most designers it's Game Over.

If you are poor at sales do not under any circumstance think your design is one bit better. That a SEO guy pulled your bacon out of the fire with a massive traffic infusion in no way, shape or form means the site is any good converting traffic. ...It's still on life support.

Not only are the design techniques not there, most designers don't even use their sites to inform clients about the value they bring to the table. The standard information-poor portfolio is exhibit A in what's wrong.

Which is the one primary reason designers find it so hard to charge higher prices. While designers may fervently believe pretty sells, the evidence is dubious and reflected in the price.

Related:

Designing to Sell There are design techniques. Trouble is, far too many designers figure such techniques cramp their style.

If you don't want to use the techniques, that is one thing. Just don't be surprised or complain when you can't price higher.

[vdowsett]

I found both these articles helpful. Thanks guys!