In article <1140187556.384203.135460@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups .com>,
vikenk@aol.com says...[color=blue]
> Hello all,
>
> I don't mean to exclude the rest of the world here, but I think this
> will be more applicable for me.
>
> What's the going rate for freelance web designing in the USA? I know it
> probably varies from city to city, but I need a ball park idea. Do you
> charge per hour? Per page? Per project?
>
> I did a website for my son's private school. It's a small school with a
> small budget. A web design student did their current website a few
> years ago and it's horrible. I didn't receive any money, but they
> granted me a small break on my son's tuition. It was a fun project for
> me to do as it presented new opportunities to learn.
>
> Now...a couple of board members liked the school website and are asking
> me to make websites for their small businesses and other projects. They
> insist on paying me a fee. I won't say no to money :>) I gotta make
> the tuition payments :>)
>
> But I have no real idea as to how much to charge. Obviously, I'm not an
> HTML expert like many on this NG. I need to be realistic. I can't (and
> shouldn't) charge as much as a true experienced professional, but I
> don't want to undercharge by a wide margin either. I don't want to be
> too expensive or too cheap.
>
> I think have a pretty good handle of HTML and CSS, but I do not know
> how to write my own JavaScript. I don't (yet) know PHP, PERL, etc.
> However, these project won't require that type of stuff. They will be
> mainly be presentational, brochure type of sites. No flash, no
> databases or online merchandising. These projects are well within my
> capabilities. If I didn't feel I could do them, I'd be honest and tell
> them to go elsewhere.
>
> I know I'll probably get a lot of grief for asking this queston, but I
> truly have nowhere to turn to find this stuff out. I don't know anyone
> in the business. I've Googled, but I haven't really found any sites
> that give concrete numbers. I don't know where else to turn.
>
> I know that this is a bit off topic for this NG, so if you can point me
> to another NG or website, that would be appreciated as well.
>
> Viken K.
>[/color]
In a nutshell, what is your time worth to you? I charge $50/hour for
straight HTML/CSS, $75/hour for javascript, PHP, ASP, etc. I work in
the Chicago area and I am considered reasonable.
That said, in the past I have quoted against pricing of $25/hour or less
and in those cases about half the time I lose the job regardless of what
abilities I have to offer. I don't let that bother me - I know what I
am worth. I refuse to work for less than what I am worth. I may lose a
few jobs, but in the end I will make more money with less work.
Question for USA based webmasters. Need some advice.
