Step 1: Start with a Discovery Call (Don’t Guess)
Before you name a price, ask the right questions:
- Scope: Is this a simple 5-page site or something complex with user sign-ins and custom forms?
- Assets: Is the client handing you polished copy, high-res photos, and brand guidelines—or are you writing and sourcing everything?
- Tech Stack: Will you build in WordPress (Astra/Spectra), or Shopify?
- Extras: Are there paid plugins, custom domain transfers, or special fonts involved?
Step 2: Pick the Right Pricing Model
- Fixed Project Rate
- When to use: Small, clearly defined projects (like a basic portfolio or brochure site).
- The reality: Clients love knowing the exact cost up front, but if you misjudge the work, you eat the extra hours.
- Hourly Rate
- When to use: Open-ended projects, retainer work, or clients who like to change their minds often.
- The reality: Keeps you safe from scope creep, but clients might micromanage your time.
- Value-Based Pricing
- When to use: High-impact business projects (like an e-commerce redesign that directly boosts sales).
- The reality: You price based on the value you create, not just your hours—great profit potential, but harder to pitch as a beginner.
Step 3: Map Out Your Hours & Add a Safety Buffer
Break the project into phases, estimate your hours for each, multiply by your rate, and add a 15–20% cushion for unexpected bugs, client communications, and revision loops.
- Phase 1: Discovery & Wireframing (Sitemap, content layout, user flow)
- Phase 2: UI/UX Design (Figma mockups for desktop and mobile, typography choices)
- Phase 3: Building & Coding (CMS setup, responsive styling, template assembly)
- Phase 4: Testing & Launch (SEO basics, form testing, responsiveness check, site migration)
- Phase 5: Client Offboarding (Creating a quick video walkthrough so they know how to update text)
Step 4: Set Boundaries (Protect Your Time!)
Explicitly list what isn’t included in the price so you don’t end up doing free work:
- Copywriting & Stock Photos: Clarify if content creation costs extra.
- Revision Limits: Include 2 rounds of design revisions in the price; anything beyond that gets billed at your hourly rate.
- Third-Party Fees: Web hosting, domains, and premium plugin licenses are paid directly by the client.
Step 5: Secure the Cash Flow
Never start work without a deposit! Standard terms keep both sides safe:
- 50% Upfront Deposit: Secures their spot on your schedule before you open Figma or open a code editor.
- 25% Mid-Project Milestone: Paid after they approve the design mockups, right before you start building.
- 25% Final Payment: Paid after final sign-off, right before you hand over admin access or point the domain live.
Proposal Summary Template
PROJECT: 5-Page Business Website Redesign
DESIGNER: [Your Name] | DATE: [Date]
1. What’s Included
- Wireframes and site structure mapping.
- Desktop and mobile UI design layouts in Figma (includes 2 rounds of edits).
- Full website build in WordPress using Astra and Spectra.
- Essential features: Contact forms, lead capture, mobile responsiveness, and basic SEO setup.
- 30 days of bug-fix support after launch, plus a recorded video guide on how to make basic edits.
2. Timeline
- Estimated completion: 4 weeks after receiving the deposit and all content.
3. Investment & Payment Terms
- Total: $X,XXX
- Payment Split: 50% deposit to begin ($X,XXX) | 50% upon final approval before site transfer ($X,XXX).
4. What’s Not Included
- Logo design/rebranding, content writing, photo shoots, or ongoing monthly hosting fees.