New Article - Publishing Your Prices – The Sequel

[thejenn]

Authored by: Karri Flatla

Full Text: http://www.searchengineguide.com/fla...hing_your.html

A Snippet:

Are we so accustomed to the vastness of modern media that we've forgotten consumers are always a click or two away from a zillion and one alternatives to our humble offerings? Today's consumer is on high alert for answers, answers, answers. There is little reason to gamble away time trying to get those answers out of you the seller when better answers—easier to find answers—are so tantalizingly available.

[Nicolette]

Karri:

After reading your first article, I added pricing to my website. If the internet is all about transparency, it makes perfect sense to quote your prices. The Eisenbergs mention it takes $35K to talk to them. Out of my league, but chump change to large companies who need to take their site conversions to the next level.

Website design is now a commodity item (sorry for all the web designers out there.) That being said, I quote starter pricing for a 5-page, custom and search engine friendly website on my site. If a small business or professional service cannot invest this minimum, I suggest they rethink their Internet marketing strategy.

That being said, however, since each website is unique, my pricing varies accordingly. My first goal is to get in the door. Once I've established credibility, credentials, like-ability and knowledge, then my next goal is to create and develop a long-term internet marketing strategy. I also gauge their pain, urgency, business goals and competitive spend.

In other words, I establish myself as the Project Manager/Internet Marketing Specialist. This is the substantive role I want to play way beyond website design. And with the best client scenario, I would operate as an extension of their marketing department. So a beginning price point could lead to a much more lucrative consulting project.

A simple website is never enough, as we all know, but business owners are human and have also had terrible experiences from webmasters holding them hostage. If they aren't in it for the long haul, then I may back off and simply quote a website with the hope that they'll contract my services later.

For those interested in researching "How to Price Your Services" here's a link I found which doesn't violate any price fixing issues.

[Karri]

Nicolette, thanks for your comments!

Shameless plug but I also have a similar pricing "guide" with spreadsheet available at my website for anyone who opts in to my newsletter. The concept begins with a valuation of your time but as you grow your expertise, reputation, etc. I feel it makes sense to move toward project rates.

It's good to have in depth discussions about pricing dynamics as many startups find it the subject intimidating or overwhelming. IMO, price is one of the most overlooked aspects of creating a sustainable, profitable venture.

Karri

[St0n3y]

We've been posting "starting at" prices since almost the beginning and it's worked well for us. We've many many people tell us that they liked the fact that they could get a feel as to how much our services cost up front. With that said, the published prices can be a deterrent for some if the prices are high but they have not yet understood the quality of the services being offered. You don't always just want to put them on the front page but make people read about all the great things you provide before they get to the how much.