LOL Awesome debate.... 240 vs. Frontpage!
$200 plus tax...212.
My sites cost $88 bucks more, and I eat the tax. All the client has to do is tell me what they want, and it gets built. They get 2-3 emails a day during the design process. They tell me what they like, what they don't, and I grow it. Pic galleries, flash, video clips, ecomm systems, and of course, the business acumen and skill of a guy who has taught web des since 2001 and been doing it all day every day since Nov/Dec.
If the tens of hours you spend building the site on your own is worth it, that is awesome. But when I need a new shirt, I don't learn to sew. I buy it, and save myself the 30 hours of sewing class so that I can do what is more profitable for me. you only get so many hours per week, and if you can outsource a time-intensive task and do what makes you money, it makes sense.
(I often sell my websites to local firms looking to hire a part-timer. I let them know that they're hiring a kid who needs a desk, PC, software, who could slip and fall and sue, who brings his baggage to work. They almost always prefer to outsource it- prepay $300 and get peace of mind. )
Just a quick comment on what Laura said regarding Rob's sites.
I was/am in the market for a web site. I went to a local company and discussed my needs. In the process I pulled up a couple of Rob's sites for the web designer to look at and we had a brief discussion ( yes I have a life& no he's not in my head, I used the sites as examples of basic concepts and related prices.) I was told those sites were good basic sites, but nothing to write home about. The designer ( Alex ) said he suspects the fact that they are basic is a comment on lack of creativity, commitment and the lack of an artistic eye, not lack of tech knowlodge. I was also told ( something I did not know ) that all the templates and resources needed for the site are available on line free.
I guess everyone starts somewhere.
Rob, you have an MBA and have offered a great deal of marketing advice to people on the board. You have bargin basement prices, yet still " eat the tax." I was taught that cutting prices below a reasonable amount compremises the perception of quality by potential consumers.
Is this perception of ( relative ) quality a concern to you? Your now going on record as saying you " eat the tax ." I assume you pay the government out of your own pocket. This would lead some less then liberal thinkers to wonder how the accounting practices of your company work. Do you do your own book of hire an outside accounting firm? I hope this is not too forward a question, but is all your income declared? You stated you earned $60,000., last year, was this reflected in your reports to the IRS? I only ask this because if you plan on doing the same thing this year ( I assume you will make at least as much or project to ) you will be " eating " $2400., for people who can write off the total cost of their business web sites. This is poor business.
Also, I wonder if you concider your conduct on GetBig as a limiting factor in your growth. If I was to do business with you and you quoted me a time of " x" for the completion of work I surely would factor into things your commitment to customer service based on the excessive time you spend on-line playing word games with people. Someone buys the perception of you as a business man as much as the products you produce. You are your service and if you were taken more seriously, you might not need to discount your products so much.
I ask these questions in a non bias's fashion. I wonder if you could comment on them.
Regards,
The Beef
