LO! Mike, smahpop helped you kar?

Not a professional web designer + light template modification. Charge for installation, modification time and training. Around RM1000-1500 max.

But best is you work out your own hourly rate to be more precise.

To make a good commercial website, you need to know and understand what makes the website function. And yes, I'm talking about the code. Frontpage can only lead you to a certain point and you're going to still have to ask for guidance on custom development stuff later. Thus, my answer is; No.

Anyway, good commercial websites are built on other developer tools (Notepad++ or etc). Developers in selected companies use Dreamweaver because the company assume it's the right developer tool. However, I believe good developers know the difference of using Dreamweaver and other development tools. So I don't want to discuss about it here. If you want, you could search for it in this forum first then create a new topic (if necessary).

I don't use Notepad per say but Notepad++.

There isn't one. However, if it's custom and not based on an existing theme's framework, then charge from RM500 and up. If it's like taking a Kubrick theme and manipulating the banner, forget about charging or even if you want, something like even RM100 for your time.

Quote for what your time is worth.

If it's to sell a theme, forget about a premium price (unless it's really exclusive) and think about volume. Also, ignore the fact if your theme becomes popular there'll be those who copy and release for free.

Definitely more than 1k. Unless your work is worth less than RM5 per hour.

It's either this member doesn't know where to post, or he/she is spamming. Mod, please move or delete. thanks.

Threadless - custom.

Custom by far gives you better control from your workflow down to how you need the system to be so it's easier from your POV.

Biggest setback, costly. But a person who's learnt their lesson normally know the benefits of having custom.

Well, that'll be almost the same amount if you were to develop it in Malaysia. Unless you get some person who uses Joomla/Drupal and the like to modify the system according to your needs.

Anyway, designers and developers say they can do something themselves. However, they both need each other - every time.

ROFL! Goldy getting involved in the old "should charge this and not that" debate of costing.

Anyway, there's a kinda healthy way to gauge how much it'll cost to convert Photoshop templates into an XHTML (sorry, I don't do plain HTML ) and CSS templates.

How?
Launch Google. Search for "photoshop psd to html". Visit some of the websites offering the service you're planning to offer to gauge the prices.

There are a number of these online services being created online right now. All similarly converting PSD to HTML. And by looking at various websites, you can get an average cost. Some have a calculator, even! Here's one http://xhtml.pixelcrayons.com/

But, they charge in USD?
Here's the part where you need to be a smart business/marketing person. However, I'm going to be charitable and give you a shortcut. Based on my experience in the industry (when I was freelance), rates being quoted here are similarly to the US. Similar when the cost is NOT CONVERTED.

Meaning if you used their calculator, maybe they charge around USD1000 for 10 pages. So you should be looking at around RM1000 for 10 pages too.

If you're thinking "I can't charge that much otherwise I won't have any business", then forget about doing this as a business and go get a job. In Malaysia, everyone tries to undercut one another. The smarter ones know when to pursue a job if this was part of the criteria.

Said that, the reason I don't preach anymore to whoever posts "how much this should cost..." is because now the first questions I'd ask in return is "may I see your portfolio?". Simple reason is because you should evaluate yourself based on your work. Even you're in college, you have your assignments to evaluate your own work/experience. If you're in school (primary/secondary), you'd better have some work to show coz you'll have the toughest challenge persuading a client.

And trust me, there are good and bad (or horrid) developers in Malaysia.

Well, I hope that clears much of it on the Photoshop to HTML costs.

LOL! For the primary/high schooler, money isn't the issue. It'll be "can you get the job done" issue. Being Asians, one of the things still not realized is the potential in much younger designers.

The client will actually be spending only on the 10 pages, design and development. RM500 was what I charged close to 10 years ago. LOL!

Guestbook - free ones available. But not worth having it anymore - not coz old, but effectiveness.

Sitemap - can be automatically generated depending how your site is developed.

Contact form - shouldn't be a problem like the sitemap.

Hosting - Serverfreak has low-cost options, or IPServerOne charges only RM99 a year and it's more than enough space.

Here's a quick tip for all you freelancers. They client will only need a ton of space if they store emails on their server. Normally, clients using Outlook and etc would download them to the computer.

LOL! Icednyior already said she heard from friends who were undercutting even further.

Oh, how I can't wait for the Gen-Y to takeover companies.

Urm, the Gen-Y generation are the ones who're more open to new ideas. So why call them foolish? LOL!

AFAIK, they are the generation who's life is mostly revolving around the Internet right now. Rather than the directors in the their golden years sitting on their laurels.

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Added on June 7, 2009, 12:34 pmThis is what I call undercutting. LOL!

RM299 for a Wordpress / e-Commerce / Forum. http://littlekittle.com/shop/index.php?act...d&productId=84/

This post has been edited by etsuko: Jun 7 2009, 12:34 PM

Okay, so how so will Gen-Y affect from the Economist view?

Quick tips for Maintenance.

TASK basis
For each task, comes a fee. Determine a fee and put it into B&W for them to sign on.

HOURLY basis
Irregardless of the tasks requested for update, put into the contract the hourly rate your maintenance cost and get a signature. Also, it'll be good to explain to the client how hourly rates would work best for them as compared to TASK and CONTRACT.

CONTRACT basis
The most common maintenance method practiced. In it, it's documented the number of items changeable to the number of items changeable. I personally find contract basis are double edged swords. Clients have limitations and Providers have a headache controlling Clients if there were no limitations.

Income wise, CONTRACT is best because they pay you an annual/monthly fee. However, you're going to have to think if you want to be burdened by the crazily demanding client later. Is it worth your time and life even if you charged them that price? And don't forget, the type of client you have.

At the end of the day, it's how you want to maintain it, market it and do it.

Whatever it is, make sure it's in Black and White for your own reference and safety.

This post has been edited by etsuko: Jun 9 2009, 10:06 PM

Goldy, still preaching the same thing? LOL!

I'd say the cost is highly dependent on the complexity of your package tracking. If it's something simple with custom status(es) like Payment, Shipped, Received and etc then it's less costly as compared to those utilized by PosMalaysia, DHL, and other courier services.

It's not the UI design which'll cost you but the system itself.

Sounds very vague to me. But I guess those interested would contact you.

Eh, goldy, the Jobs & Careers section doesn't cover freelance jobs or a job posting forum issit?

The price is defined by the individual/company. There isn't any real "market rate". Also, is there such a thing as on-site SEO? AFAIK, it can be done without being at a client's office.

For the e-commerce website, it kinda reminds me of the RM1500 or less packages I see around.

You should've stated the preferred platform (Blogger/Wordpres/Textpattern etc) and possibly, budget.

If your budget is less than RM500, think of using a free theme instead. Or, get someone to help you purchase a premium theme. It'll cost less than RM500.

I'd have to say this is the wrong place to post this.

But I'll leave it to goldy to decide.

Low-end = from RM150

Middle-range = from RM1500

High-end = from RM5000

The breakdown isn't only by an individual but based on other possible scenarios a person may have depending on their experience, work status and etc. For example; if you asked an agency to propose, they would say it ranges from RM50,000.

Plus, there is no design to the example. It's just a "waste of time" Flash banner and simple layout put together. So, it's not worth much.

Well, it's the first time I'm hearing on-site SEO. LOL! Sounds confusing.

Anyway, if it's not a custom plugin, then how can you justify charging for it? Unless the installation of it is so cumbersome or the plugin ownership belongs to you, then you're selling a product.

I'd say double the charge is sufficient because the design is from a template.

But yes, I agree with Momochi. You MUST have the necessary forms - unless the reseller you commonly use knows you already then they may not request the document from you.

1. Landing pages are worthless unless there's an added value of having it. Hence, splash pages with Flash animations are a waste of time and money.

2. If you're only going to provide clients with plain reports of how many visitors, changes since last report, it's a waste of money especially if the client finds out. If you're really talking analytics, you'd have to be able to advise clients as well and consult them in increasing/improving their website conversions.

This would be wrong thread - really.

Well...I'd bill for:

1. Domain/Hosting
2. Design/Development (if required)
3. Maintenance fees - up to you if hourly, per day or monthly.

Depends on who you ask. A student might only charge less than RM500 for it. A company around there or more. But yes, it depends who you approach for the job.

Your honest answer would seriously kill you if the clients found out you stalled because they weren't the right market for you. LOL!

Anyway, this saturated market is competitive. But forces new web design companies to be more than just a website design company - which is great. Because then, clients will be able to tell better between a volume-modal company and an experienced company.

Note: Experience isn't the number of websites you've built but what you offered in the project and learn from it.

Depends on who you approach. There are the from RM599 with maintenance of RM500 per year to the built by a student for RM1500 or less with/without payment gateway setup.

Here you goes.

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/208711