Today’s Lesson as a free lance web designer
In the mist of Covid-19 (Corona Virus), we at JDS WebDesign are hoping everyone is safe, washing your hands frequently, sneezing and coughing in your elbow, and practicing social distancing. Over the next several weeks, we are planning on blogging about how to make your website more business friendly. We will have some tutorials on our favorite plugins and features, which will make your site more efficient.
I am always learning new lessons, from other WordPress Designers/Developers, Business Owners, and Clients.
Patience
Yesterday, while I was picking up a package. The lesson of patience was on display. The owner of the FedEx store was asked about his printing cost by a elderly man in front of me. He explained it was 15 or 20 cents a page, depending on color options. Irate the elderly man, stated “It only cost 10 cents at the public library?”. The nearest public library was over 5 miles away. You really need to lower your prices… Feeling the tension, the FedEx owner blamed it on the rising cost of paper and cartilage ink and offer him a small discount. The elderly man apologizes for his demeanor and provided the pages, which needed to be copied. After paying for the project, the once disgruntled customer walked out smiling.
As a freelance designer, my pricing strategy has been questioned. This is a simple job, only a few pages. First of all, there is no such thing as a simple project or a few pages. Most clients want to begin the discussion in that manner…then once you begin planning out the project. You are advised that in the future, products are going to be sold (scope change). It might slip out that a protected page or section is needed…membership site (scope change). A few forms are needed and some specific features for each of those calendars…the list goes on and on (scope change).
Breathe
To deal with scope changes, first I take a deep breath. Then remembering that I solve solutions and not create websites. I will probe for what is the reason for the on line presence. Do you want to sell some products? And how much revenue are you expecting from those sales? Have you started to tell visitors that your site will have protected pages. What is the benefit of becoming a member? And on and on…
Recently a prospective client advised me that this was going to be an easy project and should not run more than a couple hundred dollars. I listened patiently (similar to the FedEx store owner). Asking a few questions, who is your target audience? What is the goal of the website? Is this just a brochure site (for information only)? Are products going to be sold on the site? Do you need protected pages or membership portal? Are you planning on re-design your site within a few months? Is search engine optimization important?
The site was going to be the brochure site, which main function was to introduction my client to potential new clients. What happens after the introduction? Are you wanting the potential clients to call you? Purchase something from you? Follow you on social media platform? And more importantly you want to pay a couple hundred of dollars for a product that determine if your in business six weeks or months from now.” Silence!!! “How much do you think being in business six weeks or months from now cost?”
If you are looking for a web designer or brand developer, then I am available and can be reached at info@jdswebdesign.biz or 678-718-5489.
Image Courtesy of Brooke Cagle.
JDS WebDesign is a Web Design and Brand Marketing Agency located in Marietta, Georgia. We create AWESOME on line presence for Start-ups and Influential People/Organizations. To learn more about us or how we can help you and your organization, you can contact us or schedule a meeting.
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