Rate & Fees

I’ve been working professionally as a web designer and digital marketing consultant since 2011. My value comes from not only what I am able to produce, but the education, communication and general client experience I provide along the way.

Flat Rate Website Design Projects

Flat rates are employed when a project has a clear start and end point. Website project fees are case by case, so please inquire if you might think we are a good fit.

  • Starting at $3,200 – Websites for operating businesses
  • Starting at $1,500 – Simpler websites for startups and solopreneurs
  • Starting at $850 – Websites for authors

Hourly

Hourly rates are employed when a client doesn’t have a defined scope, needs my services in small bursts over a period of time, or wants to start chipping away at a bigger project in phases without committing to a flat rate. My hourly rates are based on the annual revenue of a client.

  • $110/hr – Passion projects, solopreneurs, authors, non-profits or startup companies with no financial backing.
  • $135/hr – Revenue of up to $100,000
  • $155/hr – Revenue of $100,000 – $999,999
  • $210/hr – Revenue of $1,000,000+

For hourly projects I bill in blocks of 5 hours, from which I can pull down time in as little as 10 minutes. This allows for more accurate tracking of time worked and tasks completed.

5-10 hour blocks expire in 6 months
10+ hour blocks expire in 8 months
Hours cannot be converted to cash for third party expenses.

If you just want the short answer, it’s because clients take advantage, whether they mean to or not.

My hours expire because:
I am a one-person operation and after years of getting shafted or threatened in myriad ways, I’ve learned that when I allow time purchased a year ago to be used “today,” I lose. I also can’t logistically afford to work for 1 hour/$100 at a time – I lose there as well – hence the minimum block of hours.

Most web design companies are far from as transparent and flexible as I am. I have a client that, before me, was paying $1,000/month (yes, a month) for essentially nothing but hosting. Because of my flexibility and reachability, I have learned that clients (whether intentionally or not) take advantage of me if I don’t set terms outright.

These two terms (minimum purchase and expiration) set expectations and commitments for both parties.

My Commitment
For me, it’s a commitment that I’ll turn on a dime and provide white-glove service for a client within this time period, while also giving me peace of mind knowing that the service commitment is not indefinite. This also prevents clients from asking for “unused” money back. I (literally) cannot afford to give money back for any reason.

Client Commitment
For the client, it’s a commitment that they will take a vested interest in my services and will utilize me to further their business/project/initiative. When clients take themselves seriously, they take me seriously. A set duration also allows for a higher quality service to be rendered since there is familiarity with my client’s active situation.

This set duration also protects you because I am a one-person show and I have the free will to decide to stop doing this at any time. Even if I wanted to stop providing my services today or take a 3 month break, these terms hold me to seeing through any outstanding commitments.

Day Rate

My date rate is $700. Hire me for 6 working hours between 9am – 9pm Eastern. I’ll be available to do a blitz on web or graphics for an upcoming event or pitch, clean up your website, edit or spruce up a brochure, add a new web page, build an email automation, etc. You’ll have my skills at your disposal for the whole day.

Foundations

Introductory information about my services.

Baseline Maintenance Plan

If you don’t need regular updates made to the content or appearance of your site, I require most clients to verbally agree to a semi-annual baseline maintenance plan of $550 every 6 months. This allows me to keep their site’s themes, plugins and server updated regularly so it doesn’t break down or become open to attack. It takes some time each month to keep those things up to date. If they aren’t updated for a year, the chance of something going wrong increases with each passing day. It’s cheaper to pay the baseline than to fix problems caused by neglecting a website. This also includes minute changes like swapping a photo, text or other small content every month or so.

Third Party Web Design Fees

Hosting

All web design projects require hosting. WordPress web hosting is $20-30/month. I prefer to host my client’s websites on WPengine, but can work with ultimately any host.

Hosting for other web design platforms like Squarespace, WIX and Shopify vary from free to $30 or more.

Domain Name

Your .com or similar costs, on average, $10-30/year. Usually you get a discount for buying multiple years on the initial purchase.

Themes

All WordPress sites require the purchase of a theme license that averages a one-time purchase of $100. Sometimes there is an annual fee attached. Shopify and Squarespace have free and paid themes. We will discuss those options case by case.

Refund Policy

Due to the significant time and resources invested in each project, all payments are non-refundable. By engaging my services, clients acknowledge that this policy protects my ability to deliver quality work and maintain financial stability as a sole proprietor.