[ropeyjoe]

Sorry guys, but this is going to be a RANT!

I was recently on a forum (nothing to do with web design) where a discussion thread came along about getting a website done for some guy's business.

He said that he had been quoted £300 from a newish, but very talented, designer to create a full flash website complete with some clever page transitions, and nice little effects.

I know we all have views about whether flash sites are good or not, but that isnt what I'm getting at here. The other people in that discussion thread then went on about how supremely expensive that was!! THREE HUNDRED QUID!

One idiot said that the designer was taking him for a fool and that was "way overpriced" and that "you can get a great site for less than £50"

Now this really REALLY got my goat. Why is it that the public don't value our work and are generally reluctant to pay for it? And more to the point, why are some web designers keen to destroy the industry by offering their services for free or for mega cheap?!!?!? (Surely doing that is only going to further encourage the view that web design is not all that hard or clever because people will do it for free if you ask them. And therefore good website design shouldnt cost much)

MEGA annoyed.

What are your thoughts?

[Do Gooder]

there's a great wee animation about clients wanting work for free somewhere...

it's the same in all trades - you tend to get what you pay for*

you can get a site for £50 i'm sure. some clients wont understand what the difference between a £50 and £5000 website is.

showing a client the difference is part of the job. if after explanation they still want the £50 website... fine. i'll just get me coat.


*apart from in the fashion and technology industries where they use Vietnamese slaves.

[Accurate]

Yep, definitly a get what you pay for.

[seen.to]

Cunts like that everywhere. You can try and re-educate them or you can just leave them be as someone who undervalues their business so much would never make a decent client anyway.

[MikeMackay]

Let them take it, then wait until it all goes tits up and they come running to you to put it right and/or make it look nice. Then you charge your regular price and they'll understand the value of things like that. Everyone's a winner! (Except the business owner I guess )

You definitely get what you pay for!

- Mike

[puzzle]

I think some members of the public view web design as over priced because it is not a tangible product their getting. They forget to consider, the many hours its has taken you to learn to techniques and also put into the actual project. Then you also have (for some of us) the cost of education, college and university for example.

maybe if we explain to our clients;

The reason plumbers/electricians are expensive is because they have a skill that not everyone can do.

The reason web designers/ graphic designers are expensive is because they also have a skill that not everyone can do.

As far as price in concerned Web design is the same as these trades, you could get your mate to it but it would probably break as soon as they left with the 50 quid you gave them.

phew! Glad I got that of my chest

[Hunch]

maybe if we explain to our clients;

The reason web designers/ graphic designers are expensive is because they also have a skill that not everyone can do.

Or don't work with clients that need that explaining to them in the first place.

Chasing morons who think they can get a site for 50 quid, or even 300 isn't the way to build a successful business or earn a living. I've never had a client question my rates. Work with other professional people and they understand how much things cost without needing to be told.

[cjgraphix]

I try to break it down to people who undervalue themselves like this.

Sure, you can build a website for $50. BUT~! in a year you have to build 1,000 websites to match what I make for building 5-10 websites.

[another™]

came across Bro Mac Web Design yesterday. this guy needs contacting. $20 a page.

[cam]

Originally Posted by Hunch

Or don't work with clients that need that explaining to them in the first place.

Exactly.

[Skinny]

I have found that this is very much the case. It's sad indeed. I'm a freelance graphic designer (I mostly do logos because I don't have the time to build full sites).

People freak out at prices over $30. I'm thinking: "Really, $30, $40, $50 ... for your corporate identity? That's all it's worth? Ludicrous.

I don't even bother designing stuff that low. Frankly it's not worth my time.

I tried to sell a unique logo that was was for a failed web project of mine for $149 BIN. With a $50 start and I got red repped (not that I give a damn about rep) at this other forum and got the comment: "You got to be kidding?".

Graphics and design is like everything: You get what you pay for. People want to get top design for nothing. . . .doesn't happen that way. There are people who do respect the work we do.

I've been paid handsomely for my work but it involves finding clients who have the funds and the understanding that a designer's job is important.

@ another... Judging my the looks of BroMac's page $20/page is a steal .

Skinny

[Hunch]

Originally Posted by another™

came across Bro Mac Web Design yesterday. this guy needs contacting. $20 a page.

Holy mother of god! That's almost as bad as the all time champ! Tentacles Web Design - Sarnia Web Design "Grab life by the Tentacles today!"

[haku]

That Bro Mac webdesign looks like something a beginner in high school would make. Absolute shite. I cant believe he charges as much as he does.

[Skinny]

Eww that tentacles one is absolute web vomit.

Skinny

[Evangelion]

charge the guy 733.051 EUR and dont complain. or would you rather be brick laying ?

at least you will stop taking those stress pills

[RaelRode]

A title header
Three images that you supply (logo, graphic or clip art image)

Sums it all up.

[smoseley]

Originally Posted by ropeyjoe

Now this really REALLY got my goat. Why is it that the public don't value our work and are generally reluctant to pay for it? And more to the point, why are some web designers keen to destroy the industry by offering their services for free or for mega cheap?!!?!?

You kind of answered your own question... people don't value the profession of web design because it's overrun with non-professionals (kids, usually) offering their services for next to nothing.

The real root of the problem lies in the fact that there's no certification or education required to become a web designer. As a result, virtually anyone can do it with very little practice, and the general public really has no way to distinguish one from another.

[markhen]

I cant believe charges

[Patr100]

Dig the visible hit counter and musak - this guy really knows his stuff.

[Rinse]

Originally Posted by haku

That Bro Mac webdesign looks like something a beginner in high school would make. Absolute shite. I cant believe he charges as much as he does.

i was thinking the same thing. he wouldn't see my $20