To Charge your Worth
It’s no surprise that when you start a new job or endeavor that you tend to be a bit timid. You’re new to the game and learning the way things work. And for me specifically, I’ve never had any experience in Website Design. I have a degree in Exercise Science and any of my previous jobs or internships were relative to that. And that didn’t back up my case of proving to be a great web designer when I started. I knew that because of this, it wouldn’t determine my worth but it would be tough to prove otherwise. Hence, why half of my website content is website templates and demos.
And the hardest part about getting new clientele to work with is that you’re afraid to charge your worth (I know I am!). You’re afraid to believe the value of your designs and your time. You’d rather make less money to compensate for someone working with you. And at first that makes sense, but after some time you want to rip your hair out. Because the reality of it is? Web design is freaking. HARD. and very time consuming. You spend weeks and months going back and forth on a project that you’re getting paid jack shit for (sorry for my french). It sucks to say the least. But you continue to do that because without being super affordable, especially since web design is an investment, that no one will want to work with someone new in the industry. But I’m here to tell you otherwise.
This morning I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and I came across a video of someone saying “What they can afford does not determine what you charge so charge your worth.” I also came across another Instagram picture that I’ll post below:
And from reading both of these posts it made me realize that so many people struggle with this feeling. And it’s valid!
But bouncing off of this thought, I’d like to go into all the reasons why we need to charge what were worth along with what the heck even goes into web design. And for those of you who aren’t aware (which, why would you be if it’s not your job) I’m gonna go into some of it, bullet point style of course.
- defining the websites specific goals and purpose in order to create the best website for them.
- determining the pages and features of the site and what applications need to be integrated in order to make it possible
- creating the website strategy so that the navigation of the site makes sense
- creating and collecting content for each page
- designing specific graphic elements, pop ups, forms, etc.
- linking every page, icon, menu item, button, contact forms, etc.
- testing legit 100 times until everything works properly.
Those are the only things I can think of off the top of my head. And that’s only scratching the surface of what goes on. Lets’s not forget all of the other problems that can arise in the meantime such as loss of wifi, changes not saving, the platform working normally.
What keeps it all worth it is the end result and the happiness on each client’s face when they see their business come to life. And is there anything much better than working from home and being able to keep up with the other things on your plate in the middle of it?
