This topic is not old nor new in this industry of web design with its sister industry; blog design. That is why while part of the blogosphere was discussing; How much would you for a wordpress theme? at WPDesigner.com, it didn’t drove me into much of a discussion.
The debate of cost is as subjective as a design itself. Many people made of designers, consumers, marketers, managers and directors have their own take of this topic. This is one of the reasons I don’t believe in having a standard cost to my work. The only thing I truly believe is a minimum cost when I’m hired to do a project.
While Small Potato of WPDesigner created the poll in US Dollars, I personally would like the feedback of Malaysian bloggers of their insights regarding the cost you’re willing to pay for a WordPress theme.
If possible, please comment on the cost and what blogger/user are you?
For example, you think a WordPress theme shouldn’t only cost RM50 and you’re only a casual blogger running a personal blog.
The data here isn’t only valuable to designers who sometime spend countless hours coming up with themes but at least it justifies the value of the perceived a WordPress theme has in Malaysia. As much as the corporate blogging scene isn’t great in Malaysia, but this’ll also help give an idea to project managers and senior officers to research the investment in a pre-made WordPress blog theme or a custom-made one.
My personal opinion while I run this semi-professional blog about web design and collaborate with a team of elite professionals of building simple corporate websites is themes should cost from RM500 onwards to RM10,000+.
How do I justify the cost above?
Well, besides the fact I no longer work freelance but as an entrepreneur, in the cost paid when hiring us will include things like:
- Consultation
- Art Direction
- Design Time
- Development & Installation Time
- Blogging Strategy
- And other things we shouldn’t be revealing more..
Yes, you might say after I’ve listed all those now every freelance designer in Malaysia will start claiming these things but I’m assuming we’ve got a larger number of smart people here. You can tell the difference of experiences and marketing through conversation alone.
So how much would you pay for a WordPress theme depending on what type of blogger are you and what type of blog you run?
p/s: You may include what additional value you wish blog designers offered too.
interestingly said! MYR500 onward is a definitely yes for me considering the amount of work to really made a design desirable. i’ve had my share of trying to put into codes designs/ideas that linger around the brain. but every time i just fail miserably considering the amount of work that is really needed. in fact, i may think MYR500 may only allow a very simple design.
imo, the fees should be on a per project basis, as you said. however, how much is too much, i really have no idea considering there aren’t that many individual blogger that is willing to pay for their theme. corporate perhaps, but then again i’ve never work with a corporate partner before – in fact, i’ve never worked with anyone before!
words said, at the end of the day, even if we do priced it beginning from MYR500, it’s still about the demand and supply, basic economics 101
I am a full time blogger. I would pay up to US$400 for a custom made wordpress theme.
In MYR today, Liew that would be 400 x 3.6 amounting around MYR1440.
I’d honestly say it isn’t so bad but of course, what other requirements is included hasn’t been mentioned.
Danny, the conversion rate now is 3.46…
Too bad I got my new theme in process now, else I will let you have the project. :)
I will let you know if I need another web theme.
i dont really know how to answer this question since i never hired anyone and will probably never have to..
when people hired me, the cheapest i could go is RM 1700 – RM 2000… for price of lower than that, they could get someone else to design their site…
for a non-unique design/template, the cheapest is RM 300..
Ikram, I think it’ll be interesting if you could share alil – how do you define to the client what is a non-unique design/template? :)
MYR500 for a WordPress blog theme is a bit too steep, I can get a customised blog theme at a much lower pricing than this.
– MENJ