How much does a website developer make?

[ski]

I might be contracted to create a website for a pretty big project soon that this entrepeneur dude is throwing out a lot of money to get off the ground.

I'm a pretty good developer... I've held numerous Webmaster positions in clubs (I won 2nd place in a National website competition in 2001 ^_^), and I'm not sure what to ask for as pay. It'd probably a site similar to a national park site in terms of amount of content.

What do web developers make?

[irwin]

Show some of your past clients' websites so we can critique.

[johnnymk]

Ask Spiderman....I know that's dumb but that's the best I could think up on a Monday night.

[Nija]

here

took it from this place

how's that for ya?

[ray]

if you're being contracted, there are a few options.

1) Charge them a flat rate for the entire project including support for 6 months or a year or something.
2) Charge them hourly <--you'll probably make the most money doing this.
3) Get a contract with them for a guaranteed salary for a certain amount of time. In the contract you can specify additional contractual amounts if it becomes necessary etc ie: 3 months, 6 months.

[WhiskeyPapa]

In my experience, contract web developers who are good, yet have no business experience get $25 - $35 per hour.

Sorry, webmaster for clubs and competitions don't count as business experience.

And as I have to keep reminding my son, you can't keep the $35 timer running while you're chatting on MSN with your friends!

[mcs328]

Originally posted by kb0wwp
In my experience, contract web developers who are good, yet have no business experience get $25 - $35 per hour.

Sorry, webmaster for clubs and competitions don't count as business experience.

And as I have to keep reminding my son, you can't keep the $35 timer running while you're chatting on MSN with your friends!

I do and I'm on G|A

[ski]

After talking to my dad last night, then reading all the suggestions today, it's all coming together nicely

[Jihforce]

Originally posted by kb0wwp
In my experience, contract web developers who are good, yet have no business experience get $25 - $35 per hour.

Sorry, webmaster for clubs and competitions don't count as business experience.

And as I have to keep reminding my son, you can't keep the $35 timer running while you're chatting on MSN with your friends!

I disagree. it doesn't matter whether you got your experience from clubs or competition. What matters is if you can deliver as promised.
Since he's freelancing, you can charge whatever you want as long as they are willing to pay.
$25-$35 per hour is nothing. You work like a dog for 10 hours and that's only 250-350 dollars. Take some taxes off that and you're left with squat.
My recommendation is find out all the details involving the job, see if it can be done and figure out how long it would take to do it. Making sure the estimated time is realistic. And charge them a flat fee. Make sure everything is in writing so that you don't end up doing extra free work. Also, get someone that knows how to design very well. Developing is not the same thing as designing.

[ski]

For the flat fee, would you recommend setting up dates/milestones as pay periods? It's in my better interest to be paid along the way instead of one lump sum at the end.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Make sure the expectations are on paper. If you're going with a flat-fee, be sure to discuss the "extras" that are inevitably going to pop up. It is not unusual for the additional work the client piles on top to end up costing more than the original estimate. We've been burned on this more than once.

Also, don't "Kazaa" your tools. Be a good boy and buy a real copy of Dreamweaver, Visual Studio or whatever you're going to use.

As far as payment, we give our clients a few options:

1. Pay 100% up front for a discounted rate.
2. Pay monthly based on the percentage of the project completed, or on a pre-determined schedule (i.e. 25% each month for 4 months) for a small discount.
3. Pay 100% upon completion for the full rate.

[topane]

Originally posted by kb0wwp
Make sure the expectations are on paper. If you're going with a flat-fee, be sure to discuss the "extras" that are inevitably going to pop up. It is not unusual for the additional work the client piles on top to end up costing more than the original estimate. We've been burned on this more than once.

Get everything in writing. Draw up a contract. You can probably find some samples online or in your local library. It doesn't have to be complicated. Make sure you write down exactly what the scope of your project is and make sure the client signs off on everything. If something's going to change, make sure the changes and cost is in writing and signed.

[ray]

I think for your benefit (learning/business experience) and on a professional level, if you're going to go with with a milestone-type contract where you set specific deadlines ie: graphics finished within 1 month, web layout finished by the 2nd month etc then you should ask for a retainer for your services. The retainer pretty much acts like a deposit for your services, albeit much like your startup costs for the project. Then you should be asked to be paid on a milestone basis, assuming you have completed the stipulations set out in the contract.

In short, as kb0wwp has already stated, get it all on paper and make sure BOTH parties sign the agreement. This becomes a legally binding contract. If you need help with contract writing you can 1) get a lawyer or 2) find some legal forums online where people can direct you to standard contractual templates that can just be filled in. I would suggest seeking lawyer's advice for this first contract (if your budget allows) to help you write out a good proposal that covers your ass. The last thing you want is for someone to sue you.

[Grimm]

Here in San Diego Web Developers make $330 a week or $2.50 an hour plus tips.

[Joshua]

Where's Dark Fury when you need him??

[Thumper]

If this is simply html with no dynamic content(asp,php,cf,etc) then 25-35 an hour is probably about right. You really need to work out a requirements list with them and then set your milestones off of that. Do not be afraid to be very specific in what you will and will not do. Coming up with a detailed list of req's will allow you to charge additional fees when new and better ideas come up, which they always do. Also, a detailed req list will give you a roadmap to follow along in your development. Offer them a 3 basic "look and feel" templates to pick from and then fill in the meat from there.

If you are doing any dynamic content or a lot of graphics I would double the rate above, at least.

At any rate, I have done dozens of commercial sites and have found that spending the time up front to get the customer's expectations and requirements will pay off in the end and save you from alot of the last minute ideas that people come up with. If you are up front about what you are planning to do and what you expect to be paid then the last minute ideas and features are much easier to handle and charge for.