Need advice in how much to charge for a website

[Quattrone]

Ok, a guy is asking me to redesign and update the GUI of this website:

http://www.amigaz.com

to something similar to this:

http://shoeguru.ca

I know is going to be a lot of work but I just want your opinion in how much I can charge for the website, thanks!

[sic133]

I don't know how much to charge for a change like this. I normally, for example, install a CMS for them. A Custom theme. Register domain, hosting for them for a year. Do about 10 pages with content, custom gallery, contact forms, etc all included for about $550 which I think it's fair given the work and time that it takes.

[Vice]

Step 1: Figure out how much you believe you should be paid for an hours worth of work.

Step 2: Multiply that amount by 40. This is the 'Minimum' you will be paid regardless of how much work it takes.

Step 3: Start a clock whenever you work on the designs. For each hour you work you add that up.

At the end you Take however many hours you worked on the project and multiply it with the 40 Hours previously then that is how much you quote the work for. You can negotiate but telling the client the minimum amount they will be required to pay (The 40 hour price) + telling them how much you charge for each hour you'll be working on the project on top of that minimum price will allow them to see value for money and they will probably accept your pricing. If you believe 40 Hours for a minimum amount of work is to much then lower it or increase your hourly price.

[Quattrone]

Thanks a lot guys for your respond. What about the database? if he have a lot of customers and I install another cms, what is the effective way to backup the database and then add the database into the new CMS?

[Cupcakes]

Your hourly rate x how many hours it would take you to complete (include coming up with comps, code, testing code, making changes, etc) = Amount.

Never give a client your hourly rate. They will only ever think that you will try to take as long as possible to charge them more money. You want to give them a full estimate of the project. So if you're going to charge $25/hr and it will take you 25 hours (5 hours a day for 5 days) to complete then give them an estimate of $625 for the project. You could always mention that extra time can be purchased in "blocks" should more changes be required outside of the current estimate.

Also draw up a contract with them so that you can ensure you get paid for the work you are doing. I've had way too many friends who do the work, give the client the finished product then never see a dime. That being said: Do not give the client all of the completed work until you've got 100% of the payment received.

About your last question: Are you sure you are actually qualified to perform the necessary work for this gig? I'm not trying to offend you but asking how you can add the database into a new CMS just leaves the feeling that you are not the right fit for this. I'm not saying drop the job but have you made the potential client aware that this is obviously not something you've done before and/or just have little experience with?

To answer your question about the database: If the "new CMS" is the same as the current, then that's the only time you can "reuse" the database. Otherwise if you are going to be using an entirely new CMS, you cannot add the database from the previous system. You will more than likely need to manually import data on your own if the previous CMS is custom built. Also, you should not really be using a "CMS" for this as the website is more of an e-store. You will want to look into e-commerce scripts to do the job, something like Magento perhaps.

The site is already using "Zoovy" which isn't opensource, so I'd imagine that he's paid a fee for a license with them. I would consult with him first before you make drastic changes like that UNLESS he asked you to migrate to a new e-commerce setup.

[Quattrone]

Cupcakes, you are awesome! Thanks a lot for the advice. Yes, I have little experience with database. I am more a designer than a programmer. I agree for what u said about "Zoovy". It does not make sense to move his e-store to a opensource on, when he (I think he have a license) paid for it. What I will probably do is to upgrade if he does not have the latest version of "Zoovy" and the modify the styles, icons and content. Thank you again for your wonderful advice!