Recent College Grads: What You Should Charge for Professional Web Site Design

Contributed by Klaus Black

Beginning Your Career in Professional Web Site Design

When you are fresh out of college, it is hard to know what you should charge when faced with a freelance professional web site design project. What follows are some things to keep in mind before giving a client a quote.

Now That You Are a Web Site Design Graduate, There's Still Some Work Ahead

Although you may have the web site design skills and portfolio to compete with professionals, you still need to gain experience and develop a good reputation before you can start making demands. Remember that you are at entry-level. You may have to do a few lower paying projects at first before you can start making real money.

Compare Rates of Other Designers

It is helpful to search for other professional web site designers online and compare their rates, but don't use this as a rule book. Different web site designers charge different amounts depending on varying factors. Certain professional web site designers might be well known, or have built up a solid customer base that enables them to charge a higher rate than others. You need to decide what is best for you, what you think is fair, and what matches your skill level.

Compare Rates of Professional Web Site Design Companies

Another thing to look at is the rates of professional web site design businesses. These prices will most likely be higher than a freelance web site designer's prices, but it's good to know the current rates that big businesses charge. Knowing how much a client would have to pay a large company for professional web site design will allow you to give the client a better offer and perhaps sway them to hire you instead.

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