Being a website designer, this is one of the more familiar phrases heard from potential customers. The culture here in Malaysia practices price before value. Even for a rich, high society member sometimes question the high price of a product in regards of its value.
The number of designers or developers asked that same question doesn’t get tiresome by the customer. Reason is that he’s judging the best bargain and perceived value he thinks the website reference is worth. Not the value and results he is aiming.
It’s really alright for customers to provide material references but I think it’s wrong to phrase or use the question, “How much for a website like that?”.
One of the reasons I strongly believe is that you can’t price the website reference made by another team. That website might actually be worth more than what you could be quoting. In addition, do you think it’s professional to contact the company and ask, “How much did you get your website done for?”. Ridiculous, isn’t it?
If a customer can ask you a question of price comparison with their website reference, they’re asking similarly to the price of a compared retail product but different brand. For example; asking the sales assistant “how much for a shampoo like Brand X?”
It’s contradicting the entire business of the product line. It’s like assuming Brand X is the same with Brand Y and Brand Z. Well, maybe that’s why marketing is used heavily but the point is though they might be all shampoo, their market position and price strategy is different.
So by asking “How much for a website like that?”
You’re assuming the whole package of website consultation, website design, website development and etc is a fixed value. What I’m doing in this entry is saving you (customers) from making yourself sound silly.
Don’t ask such a question because you will not get accurate perceived value especially the price your website project might cost. Instead, use questions like:
- What is the cost for a system like that?
- How much to create a Flash animation like that?
- Roughly how much will it cost to design and develop a website of that size?
I’d suggest using questions that are more defined instead of a general one. By questioning the website objects you’re interested in allows you to gauge the total cost against your budget and doesn’t make you sound silly.
These kind of questions will also enable designers and developers to give you a more accurate quotation quicker. When asked the general question of how much a website like that costs?, designers and developers are forced to give you a higher figure to make up for mistakes of quoting too low.
So other than saving yourself from sounding silly, you will actually be able to get a more accurate quotation with more defined questions.
Do you know other questions used that sound silly?
[tags]website design, website development, cost, customers, business, marketing[/tags]
can I get this, this, this for RM500?
got this once…
But using other site as a benchmark is easier for them than stating exactly what they want. Most clients know what they want, when they see the product.
Another way of asking if I have this budget, what can u do for me? this one can ah?
how much does this blog costs?? well, honestly my blog if free of charge.. hehe
Lizzam, you mention that most clients know what they want when they see the product. Do you mean when they see your proposal or when you show them a reference?
Sorry for the late reply. I meant the reference, hence the topic that you’re on
Ooo, this is a bit tricky..
Given a non-technical layman like me, i would be so confused as to how you get charged to have someone personalised your own website. I guess there are many other businesses out there that don’t have a set price especially if it’s services.
Take tuition for example..one could claim he or she produces bright students under their wings and may impose a hefty price tag as opposed to what rivals normally offer. What can you say?? Simply case to case basis and difficult to benchmark.
Confusion is due to the lack of understanding from both sides of the project. A designer needs to know the programmer as the programmer needs to know the designer.
At the start and end of it all, is the client which needs to listen to the filtered information on how the work is done.
Recently, one prospect told me he liked how we do things because we put it in simple words and metaphors which he could relate to.
In order to justify the cost, I believe it’s up to the company and the client. Company should charge for what its worth. Client needs to listen and understand. Not think, “God, damnit! This guy is speaking on and on. I’m bored.”
We get a lot here. :)
Malaysians ignorant at times as they may be, these souls aren’t well equipped with listening skills which is a factor of miscommunication.
It’s been a norm that you don’t get paid what you are worth. Everyone wants discounts. Many out there are scrooge despite their wealth.
Of course the Company should charge whatever that’s necessary to uphold their reputation and not merely undercut or freely throw prices around that would eventually ruin the stability of the industry.
Recently, someone came to me and asked for guidance on building a corporate website. He’s a system developer so his responsibilities isn’t really Web. But you know what his boss said, which is funny though not surprising.
“You’re the IT guy, sure can do ‘IT’.”
Pun intended.
Anyway, this kind of thing reminds me of an entry I posted before:
Jack of All Multimedia, Specialized in None
Jack of all trades huh!! Guess this is the mentality of ChinaMAN boss who’s trying to reap whatever he could from each and every employee. Totally understand that it feels so shitty cos one is so often over stretched. Imagine like being enslaved to complete chores other than their field or those they are paid to do:-m
Darn..can’t these people see others as people as well. I mean human beings like machines could breakdown too you know..