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Hi, As mentioned above effective pricing should be largely based on your hourly rate and time taken to produce the site - although this can be a difficult one to predict up front as the goal posts can tend to change as things move on. (Learned from a monster web design job for a school). Make sure you get all the details regarding the site function and content up front so you can better judge the quote and in your T's & C's document (if you use one), note that if the job changes by more than X% additional costs may be incurred. Also bare in mind the various extra's you may be sourcing, designing, or providing such as support, training, photography, graphics, templates, and code, all of which you may or may not need to provide as part of the job. Are these complimentary or do they imply additional cost? You'll know much more accurately what you should quote for a job after you've completed plenty of similar jobs, but always be prepared for surprises. Most of all - make sure you get paid for your time - after deducting expenses. We tend to use a fixed price structure - internally we have worked out how much basic 3-5 page, additional pages, e-commerce integration, media presentation, CRM systems, invoicing etc etc... however we always make adjustments to these prices before we quote based on complexity, how routine (or innovative), and we reward repeat custom.

Hi, it's my first post so I thought I'd make it a good one and share some of my experience. Firstly, don't give up! Although this is a poor financial climate for most businesses to get started in, it's a promoters paradise if approached correctly. Think of all those businesses out there dying to boost their turnover and exposure now that the market is down. It is YOUR job to boost their image/exposure/custom. The hard part is pricing yourself right - if you cannot afford to undercut the competition (not something I subscribe to), offer a little something that makes you unique and desirable. Be it your style, customer service, going the extra mile. You only need one great client to recommend you and you can begin to grow - one turns into two.. which turns into four - etc etc... Offer a brochure of your services with a couple of spare business cards to each client with the final work delivery - perhaps a referral scheme, a discount on future work with a referral? Ok now here's the bit where you have to do some legwork - Go to networking events and meetings, meet business leaders / owners head on in an environment where they want to hear about you. The contacts you can make there are priceless. You may not get a job right away, but these people know LOTS more people. If your business cards and talk are up to the job, they'll get you noticed. Distribute leaflets / brochures by hand to accountants waiting rooms, and law offices (with their permission), leave enough for people to take one away - it's a worthwhile investment since the one's that get left are still there to attract a new client, and the ones that get taken are taken by your new hot leads. Keep your website pristine - and keep a blog. Talk about what you do, and link it to facebook, linkedin and twitter. People love free tips and a human touch to their designers. After all, while working for a client you will build a relationship - back and forth communication, ongoing support, and potential future jobs. So they want someone who they can understand. Phew! - I hope these random ramblings help you in some way. Best of luck.