How to quote on a website project
There are a number of details to think about when quoting on a design, SEO or other website development projects. These details are best spelled out in an estimate to lay a good foundation for how long the website project will take and the specification for what the website client is wanting.
What are the client’s website project requirements?
- Total number
of pages - What kind of navigation bars or menus
- More than one page design?
- Number of custom graphics needed
- Number of graphics provided by the client
- How design-intensive a site do they want?
- What type of text content, provided in what form?
- Interactive forms? How many fields?
- Database-driven applications? (Detailed description of all functionality is needed)
- Administration areas?
- Domain registrations or changes?
- Hosting arrangements?
- How important is search engine positioning?
- Will any client training be necessary?
God is in the details and don’t assume you will be able to answer all these questions with just one meeting. Plan on following up with a phone call to fill in the questions before you complete your website design quote. Understand that the specifications of a website project will ALWAYS change after the work has begun, this you must accept. Because of this, you must make it clear, more than once, that this is only an estimate and that the price will change as the client asks for more or less than what was originally quoted. As the client adds or takes away major content or features, the cost of the project will for sure change at which point a new written description of the change and cost difference will be provided to the client as an amendment to the original website design quote.
When the specifications change, the cost estimate will change as well.
Determine the details within each website project requirement
- Break down the project requirements into specific tasks.
- How long does each website design task take? – Be realistic, provide yourself with enough time to do a good job. Be generous to yourself.
Total up the tasks’ time
Multiply the task hours by your hourly rate. You may choose to complete this website project as a lump sum and not charge the client by the hour. However, in order to provide the customer with a website project quote, you need to show how much work each task is going to cost. The client may not need to know anything about how long each task will take to complete but you should know this.
Provide a percentage for contingencies and added expenses
Underestimating a project is the norm for experienced website developers. Because of this, a margin of 5-15% should be provided as part of the website design quote. Expenses should also be included in the estimate for things like sub-contractors or graphics or programming purchased out of pocket.
Add it all up and hold your ground
You may be tempted to lower the price to fit the client’s budget. Don’t do this! The client may not like your price but, what is your time worth? Nothing good will come of producing a website project for less than what is a fair wage for you.
You will not get every job
As you work hard to provide fair and realistic website project quotes, the work you do end up getting will feel very pleasant.
One way to show prospective local clients that your business is trustworthy, valuable and cable of getting the job done is by creating a list of client testimonials. These letters can be created requesting that your customer write a short note about their experience while working with you. This client testimonials template lists some important points to cover while directing your clients on what needs to be included in a testimonial.
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