How much to charge for Web Development?

I have a lot of experience with HTML, CSS, PHP, Flash, Flash ActionScript, JavaScript, AJAX, and etc... I have been asked by a family member to help build them a site for their small business, but I am really not sure how much to charge or if to charge at all. Should I charge by how long it takes me, or just a set fee? Any help is welcome :)

How much to charge for Web Development?
Unless you are a professional web developer working in the industry for a company or freelancing, you don't charge them at all. Make the site part of your portfolio should you decide to do web design on a commercial level. If you do web design for a living, I would simply ask them what they are willing to contribute for the site, and I would ask in advance before the work begins. You should also know that doing business with family is not the best idea in the world.
Reply:If you have alot of experience you can charge them a nominal fee just to make it worth your while. Keep in mind if you do it for free, you might regret it later because web sites are not such a simple process. Get a feel for how long the site will take to put up, and ask yourself how much an hour would you need to charge in order to do a good job.
Reply:well since they're family, you can charge them half the price of what you usually charge. or if you think the project wont be that complex, i think you don't have to charge them at all but that's just me. for a small business project it only takes me 24hrs to finish and its nothing really, im always glad i can help (specially with family) :)
Reply:It's your judgment since it's family. But, for most web design work the average charge is around $60. Plus extras.
Reply:charge them by how long it takes you, and by the quality.


Awesome + 15


Great + 10


Good + 5


Okay + 1





And id say by the hour add 5 dollars
Reply:Even though it's family, it's for their small business, so it's not out of the question to charge. If you want to do them a favor, go ahead and do it for free, but don't feel bad at all for accepting payment (it's basically a win-win, since you're providing quality service).





Generally developers charge either by hour or by the job. If it's a set fee for the job, you'll probably estimate the hours you'll put in and the difficulty of the task. If you charge by the hour, consider how difficult most of the work you'll be doing is.





If you're doing mostly HTML and CSS, you might only charge $15-20 per hour. If you're doing design work, you might lean towards $20-$25 per hour. If the site requires heavy use of flash or ajax, you might consider charging $30 for those hours, because those technologies are more complicated and desirable.





My suggestion is estimate the hours you'll put in and the difficulty of the task. Itemize what you'll do and show it to your family member to make it clear that you're doing quality work and being straightforward in your pricing. Then you might subtract a small amount or a percentage, because they're family (this helps them out, leaves them with a good feeling, and opens things up for referrals or future work with that person).
Reply:If you want to eventually do it professional part-time/full-time then consider that all the sites you have to back up your portfolio are bonuses. I'm starting out, and I usually charge per page vs. by the hour (some pages, graphics, etc. take longer, some are just quick once you have a main template finished). Since it's a family member, and you can do that for a test run, I'd do it for nothing or a very nominal cost. Do a good job and you can use it for references and your portfolio.





I did this one for nominal and learned alot, made contacts, and happily ever after: http://www.blueodysseyvacations.com





Good luck!