I do not believe banks freely give away their API documentation (if they had one) without first vetting the applying applicant.

Because if they did, anyone essentially could become a "payment gateway".

Do you do CUSTOM WEBSITE DESIGN and TEMPLATE WEBSITE DESIGN ?

How do you explain the difference

Interesting.. was a survey conducted on the prices?

You'd be amazed how smart and fast kids adapt to new technology today. Furthermore, learning to build a website is for old schoolers like you and I already.

Kids now jump into more advance things like object based programming, but using a more fun app to do it. So that they'd learn faster and stay interested longer - like Kodable.

I've met someone who even does coding camps during school breaks for kids as young as 7 years old.

Yup, AI is soon to build websites for us in future. But it's still not there yet.

I've tried thegrid before and results were not near my expectations. It'll take over our jobs, one fine day.

Go with PHP.

As long you've side projects which you've experimented with Node.js and have something to show for it, then it's fine.

Will drop you a message inside your Inbox.

Mind elaborating? Do you mean that they spend more on their logo design and print materials compared to a website?

Ah.. now I get you. And that's useful information of the industry behaviour.

If I were to take a guess..

Event banner and backdrop is important because their client needs which looks really good. And for an event company's website, they only need to showcase their previous event photos and showreel to capture new clients.

Restaurants need a food menu which persuades their customers to buy a higher ticket item - chef recommendation, photography etc. The website may not be a place of purchase and need only show basic details.

In a way, it's justifiable depending on the industry. On the other hand, some restaurant owners do invest a lot into their websites because impression is important - like Nobu, Marble8, Enfin or similar.

An industry itself has different levels of clients. This is why you hear from $$ to $$$$$ rates even in the same industry.

The only 2 cents I can put here is everyone needs to identify their preferred client and figure out how to find them.

Good to know. What sort of F&B have you observed that's willing to spend minimum $$$ ?

Mom-Pop porridge shoplot? Hipster cafe? Fusion restaurant? Halal Chinese food? Catering?

I would say it's based on:

1. Scope of work (Do you have a brief ?)

2. Expectations (Do you need the PIC on-demand even after office hours? Weekends? Revisions?)

3. Experience (I hear Senior Developers can demand from RM10k per month salary.. so, if a quotation is rather low to you, then you'd want to ask more questions - why are you charging me this price instead of something higher which I received)

As a prospect, you can always ask questions - it's neither dumb or noob.

Our task as web designers / developers is to answer your uncertainties and provide you valid advice.

So.. it's tough to answer whether you are really paying peanuts, or you may have just found someone who charges a little lower than what you'd have expected.

Makes sense?

Though prospects want to get online, everyone is still looking for the cheapest available option.

So unless you want to go into that price war, better prepare yourself to accept what they're asking for.

Okay. So there are 3 questions here..

1. Is it even worth coding stuff from scratch these days
To me, no. And, it depends on the project requirement.

In some cases, coding from scratch is still unavoidable and required.


2. Is it better to just focus on UI/UX principles rather than web development frameworks? And charge like the 4 digits for the work?
UI/UX should be practiced in all projects - unless the client doesn't care for it.


3. Is it possible to have a clientele which you only use these low-code frameworks instead and charge like the 4 digits for the work?
Most definitely. It all depends on what the client is asking and perceived value.

The only norm I hear about are agencies paying within 45 days. But that too applies to some only. Some agencies will pay the invoice within 1-2 weeks of receiving your document.

In short.. there isn't a norm. It's what you make of it in your signed contract.

If there isn't one, then it's based on trust whether the payor is a good paymaster.

What I'd do is follow-up with the client weekly. After 1 month, ask them if they've got a plan to pay or you'd like to suggest a plan like X.

If still no response, send a final notice to say that it's been X duration where you've followed up Y times (with dates) whereby not receiving the requested payment.

And if they don't settle in full by Z, you'd seek legal advice. When it comes to this, you'd want to ask a legal friend to draft a letter of demand.

If you're going to make a formidable case, you'd want the contract. Else even the lawyer won't be able to help much.