Thread: Rate Review

I just read an interesting article on Rate review for User Experience freelancers in the UK. You can read the full article over here

It got me to thinking - are you planning on updating your rates for the new year based on the skill sand knowledge you have gained over 2010?

What sort of percentage increase are you looking to increase by?

If I was planning to stay in the web design business into 2012 then I would probably increase my hourly rate by 50-100% this year.

However, this isn't my intention. By doing this I would loose some clients and shake up other ones. This would need to be managed, it would create hassle and probably delay my escape plan.

Most freelancers that I have spoken to who haven't worked previously in an agency are overdue to rise their prices. I think this is because some people are embarrassed about what they can charge. If you have worked in an agency then you know that it is the norm to charge x amount for a project. If you have started freelance without this experience then I have noticed that people typically quote lower.

If I was planning to stay in the web design business into 2012 ...snip...

However, this isn't my intention.

Originally Posted by Jason

What is the plan? Are you going to an Agency?

After years of working with the same clients I feel that I can do it better than they can. To prove this I will be launching my own products in 2011. As income for this grows I will scale back my client work. I will still be a developer, just one who develops personal projects instead of one who works for others.

This is why I don't want to mess with pricing. I am generally happy with the people I work with at the moment and this for me is more important that then the extra money I can get. I should put up my prices but this would rock the boat. Some people I like might fall off and this will lead me to find other people... people who I may not like or may not properly respect me. Happiness motivates me more than money.