Pricing issues

[grubesteak]

I'd love to hear some feedback from some regular freelance web builders out there.

I got into a huge discussion last night about how to charge clients. The question: should we charge on a per-client basis, or have a set list of prices for some pre-defined work?

The thinking behind this is twofold. First, it seems like potential customers are more likely to respond if they see the prices laid out up front. Of course, you'd have to do some things like graphic design and brand identity on a per client basis, since that kind of time will depend on what the client needs.

And the second thought is that by pricing like a franchise, people know what to expect each and every time they're in search of your services.

Finally, following Moore's law, shouldn't web design services decrease in price as the technology advances? Computers have gotten cheaper, so why shouldn't the services?

I know it takes me about 60% less time to build a site using CSS and PHP than other "old school" methods. It always seems like, at least to me, that the industry needs to have its prices reflect the ease of building for the designer. Otherwise, I'd just charge by the hour and do everything in table-based design (and be rich because of it).

Looking forward to the thoughts.

Eric

[cancan]

Having been in the design business for several years and now having my own design company this is often a question that people ask me!
I price per hour and don't rely on a pricing structure as each job is inherently different from the last one.
I evaluate each job seperately and as my experience grows then so I know that I can do the job quicker and this then reflects in the price.
I have some customers who give me a lot of work and they ger preferential rates and some customers who send constant repeat work to me get a set monthly price.
I have tried in the past to set a price list but I always got stuck because of the difference between jobs.
Hope this helps

[grubesteak]

Having been in the design business for several years and now having my own design company this is often a question that people ask me!
I price per hour and don't rely on a pricing structure as each job is inherently different from the last one.
I evaluate each job seperately and as my experience grows then so I know that I can do the job quicker and this then reflects in the price.
I have some customers who give me a lot of work and they ger preferential rates and some customers who send constant repeat work to me get a set monthly price.
I have tried in the past to set a price list but I always got stuck because of the difference between jobs.
Hope this helps

Thanks for your input. However, coding with CSS takes me A LOT less time than if I coded with table-based layout. Do you charge more for knowledge of better design skills? If so, is it fair for the customer to pay more for backend improvements they'll never see?

[grubesteak]

I find it interesting that this topic has had several view, but no body's really answered my questions.

Is it that no body wants to talk, or that no body has an answer?

Eric