Hey Guys,

 

I am currently working on a work order for a guy and he is needing a basic website that could help him manage his dad's used car lot. Basically he wants to add cars (includes images, pricing, etc..) and some information pages. I suggested to him that a CMS would probably be his best bet.

 

Note: If anyone thinks I should go a different route let me know. I thought CMS would be best b/c he needs to update the site himself (control panel etc)

 

I haven't messed with CMS that much so my ignorance shows when it comes to pricing. What I can do is list the things he has asked to do then..

 

1. Install and configure CMS

2. Find a theme and install it (he does not want me to design)

3. Once I have a theme installed create a nice logo header that matches it

4. Then of course limited training so he knows how to add news/cars

 

So the only designing aspect would be the header. If you guys can kinda give me some ideas on a project as simple as this would go for I would really appreciate it.

 

Thanks

Wordpress?

Wordpress?

 

Pretty sure he's asking for a price, not a CMS suggestion

 

If you've got an hourly rate, just charge by that.

 

Installing and configuring, e.g. Wordpress, wouldn't take more than half an hour (wouldn't have thought anyway). It does most of that hard work for you. But if you've not really worked with them before.. maybe allocated longer.

 

If you know where to find themes that look good, ie. Themeforest, then it should take long to find a good'un.

Although I have no idea how long it would take to install a theme.

Then again.. it depends if they're willing to pay £15/20 for the theme/template.

 

A decent logo may take an hour or two.

 

Basic teaching of use / editing ect.. probably an hour.

 

So approximately:

1 Hour install/configure

1/2 Hours finding theme and installing

1/2 Hours for logo design

1 Hour tuition of site.

 

Also.. if they want to you input info to the site.. that would need to be factored in.

 

But if you weren't, and your rate was £25.. then approximate cost of : £150

Good stuff guys.. That was the area I was thinking smithmr8. Just wanted to get other opinions. I appreciate the help!

Good stuff guys.. That was the area I was thinking smithmr8. Just wanted to get other opinions. I appreciate the help!

 

No problem, it's a rough guide. Like you, I've never really dabbled much with any CMS. But have installed a few WP sites in my time, and is very simple.

 

Oh, and if you use a theme from e.g. Themeforest.. don't forget to factor in the cost of that to your overall price too.

Without wanting to be rude, it seems like a lot of hassle for £150.

Without wanting to be rude, it seems like a lot of hassle for £150.

 

Agreed. But to be honest, for 5/6 hours work.. it isn't too bad.

 

You could pad the price out a bit to make it more worth your while if you wanted.

Yeh I don't see me having too much invested into it. Plus I have installed WP many of times, plus he is telling me cheap as possible so..lol

When client's ask me for 'as cheap as possible', I personally run for the hills. You will end up fully customising that site for about £80!! So make sure you have a contract.

 

A good rule of thumb for freelancing is to have a day rate rather than an hourly rate (especially for new projects) and never charge less than one days work for a job.

 

Nobody here can tell you what you should and shouldn't charge - it is all down to your own rates. You need to have that in your own head first... 'what are my rates?' and then stick to them religiously. As soon as you start working for less than your day-rate, you are destined to fail

The point that I was trying to make earlier by saying £150 was low was that you think its simple to begin with and budget 1 day(!) for it. The reality is that it probably takes you 4 days to do, I can 99% guarantee the client wont be happy with the classified sales component, its probably designed for american cars or something so that takes days to trawl through its abysmal code, a couple of times a month you have someone on the phone at the most awkward moments going "ITS NOT WORKING!!!1? why am I getting spam in my AOL account? make cars appear on my site plz! cant log in, forgot my password, can I fax you a VHS to put on the youtubes?". Then he hires an 'SEO consultant' for £8k who tells you to change everything. At this point you're thinking £150 WTF?

I think the lesson is; always charge more than you expect - or at least quote more than you expect.

 

By underquoting, you will be selling yourself short.

 

For instance - I had a guy (a mate of a mate) come to me for a website about two months ago - I sat down with him, specced the whole job out, agreed a site map etc... and then gave him a quote which was a fairly modest £1200 for what he wanted. He told me that the price was too high and blah blah blah, We negotiated down to £900. Now I was happy with £900 and would have done it for £800, he probably would have paid £1000-£1100 had I stuck to my guns more.

 

The point I am making here is, don't sell yourself short; have your rates and stick to them. If someone haggles, make sure you budget for that - people ALWAYS haggle. It is an industry where people can still haggle, that is business, so make allowance for haggling. If they don't haggle, then you have had a touch, if they do, you still do the job at your base rate - so it is a win win situation.

 

To be a businessman and not just a web designer or developer, you have to think like a businessman. Bottom line is, profit matters

 

Wow - i just realised how much I rambled on there lol

Thanks for all the updates guys. It has helped me out a lot and I also think I need to quote a little higher. I have been doing research for a couple hrs and no luck on what I want to use for his vehicle posting....

 

Im gonna create a new thread and see if I can get some input.

Hey Guys,

 

I am currently working on a work order for a guy and he is needing a basic website that could help him manage his dad's used car lot. Basically he wants to add cars (includes images, pricing, etc..) and some information pages. I suggested to him that a CMS would probably be his best bet.

 

Note: If anyone thinks I should go a different route let me know. I thought CMS would be best b/c he needs to update the site himself (control panel etc)

 

I haven't messed with CMS that much so my ignorance shows when it comes to pricing. What I can do is list the things he has asked to do then..

 

1. Install and configure CMS

2. Find a theme and install it (he does not want me to design)

3. Once I have a theme installed create a nice logo header that matches it

4. Then of course limited training so he knows how to add news/cars

 

So the only designing aspect would be the header. If you guys can kinda give me some ideas on a project as simple as this would go for I would really appreciate it.

 

Thanks

 

Wouldn't you be better off persuading him to purchase a car sales script and setting that up? There were link's to some decent looking scripts on a recent post.. I think it'd save alot of dicking about..

 

Edit: I've just noticed it was you that was looking for scripts, have you gone against this idea and chosen CMS instead?