Whether you’ve just set up your brand new freelancer website or are thinking of a touch up, it’s always good to evaluate what your website is doing and how you can make it work for you.
One feature to think about is whether to display your freelance rates on your website. Some freelancers do, some don’t, yet both groups of people can manage successful businesses.
So here are some pros and cons of displaying your rates:
Pros
The good thing about displaying your rates is that you allow the client to figure out whether they can afford you and are willing to pay before they have to contact you. This is good for clients who are shopping around and would prefer not to have to ask for rates only to have you chasing them up later on.
Showing your rates will also filter out the clients who are going to try and haggle you on your price. While some might still try it, most will take your figure as a set price and will either find someone else or decide you’re within their budget and then contact you.
Cons
The main con is that there’s less wiggle room for you. A client will look at your rates and be expecting something close to or exactly like that. Even if you put “from” before your rates, people will still be disappointed if you end up quoting them a lot more.
Not displaying your rates allows you first to consider the project and the client and then make an appropriate quote. You will likely be able to charge higher fees for bigger clients than small businesses. This isn’t cheating. If a client is bigger and the work you submit will have a bigger effect on their business, then why shouldn’t you charge more?
Some projects you’re asked to do will be more complicated and take up more of your time than you’re used to so you need to think of these separately from your usual rates.
If you display your rates, a client can either accept them and contact you or not. However, if the client has to ask you for a quote, this opens up a dialogue that you can then use to sell yourself. Without having any contact with potential clients, you could be missing out on work.
Neither option is wrong and many freelancers manage to make either work for them. You might want to try both and see which one works for you in the future. Once you’ve done this test, try to stick with your choice and not change your mind every week. Anyone using your website wants clarity and consistency. Any confusion may make them find someone else.
So what are your thoughts on displaying your rates? Do you have any other pros and cons that we’ve missed out. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
