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Baked sites for paying clients?
deeve007:
--- Quote from: underg on November 25, 2006, 05:07:49 AM ---Well I wouldnt pay someone of free software The only time I paid was for a CMS the dev made themself :))))))))))))))))))))))))))
--- End quote ---
As a professional web developer (those who are), what are clients paying for? The tools/code/applications you use, or the expertise and experience you have?
I can tell for what 99% of clients are paying for, and it ain't got nothing to do with what language or tools you're using.
If I develop a high end, secure, enterprise-level website for a business, it doesn't matter what platform or language I use, the cost for time/labour/value would be the same. The only difference would be if hosting costs or hardware requirements...etc meant a cost difference.
Now, what difference would using an "open source" product mean? Well two choices:
1) It means less development time which equals less development costs. Potentially. There might of course be other features that you can add due to needing less time to build the underlying structure. Or you might have to take longer to ensure security is sufficient for an enterprise-level application.
But the result is either a lower cost for the client or else added features with the extra time you have
OR
2) More profit for you, the developer. Who decides what something is worth? The market, end of story. And if the market decides that something you have built is worth a certain amount, but you've saved time/costs by using something open source, then good luck to you. Like it or not, that's a free market economy. And you, the developer, can decide what's best for your business - charge market rates and compete with other equivalent companies using non-open source languages and products, or charge less and undercut.
And there's no right or wrong for that, there are situation where both could be justified. And in the end, who's choice is it? The person who owns the company, that's who.
deeve007:
Thanks underg and kweitzel, your feedback much appreciated. I'll give you the reason I'm trying to do some research on this:
My background is design, project and account management. Have been - or should say "was" - in the online/new media industry for almost 10 years. Yes, rode the dot com boom for a while and even survived the crash! This year got out of it to go to Kenya to work in community development..etc. Yeah, a change of scene somewhat.
Anyway, even though I was here in Kenya doing something completely different (www.nakedchronicles .com) it was silly not to use my background for redoing the organisation's website (www.actionchildren. org), and then one for a new project I've started (www.michezoyouth.co m). This was where I discovered WB.
So now with this new ability to create CMS driven sites without the need to work with a backend developer, I'm trying to see what level I can take it too, since I need some extra "money on the side", and there's a few opportunities here in Kenya (new market, slightly behind in technology...etc).
Hence my research. ;)
So thanks again for your feedback. Anyone else most welcome...
burki:
there are no "normal" quotes. if your work is good, just go ahead, do it. if you know the client, its even better! count the hours and charge for them :-D
thats important.... and donate 10% to ryans product!
wb is a free tool/software, but the work you are doing with it has nothing to do with wb!
you do some php-scripting, some picture adaptions and even some html... charge the price you need... but stay fair ;-)
Vincent:
First of all, let me compliment you with your sites, Dave. They look very good indeed!
Secondly, I totally agree with Burki: charge whatever is reasonable for your expertise, design qualities and other efforts, and don't forget to donate to WB. This way also your customer is helping to keep WB healthy and eventually get to a higher level.
Regards,
Vincent
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