My client wants to update the content on their website themselves. I do not want to give them access to the code, however. What do I do?

Many clients have the need to make frequent changes to their website and want to be able to do this themselves. The best option is to offer your client a CMS (Content Management System) they can use to update the site. A CMS is usually tailored to the clients needs so they can update all or just parts of their website. A CMS can be anything as sophisticated as creating new pages or as simple as just updating current content on a website. This will keep your clients out of your code, but allow them to make desired changes. In order to build a CMS you would use either PHP (Linux) or ASP (Windows). Also, make sure that you keep the CMS password protected to prevent unwanted changes to the site.

How do I price a project?

It all depends on what you are doing for the client. Most clients like to see the total cost in a lump sum. What I usually do is base it on my hourly rate, multiplied by how long I think the project is going to take.

Now, if they want you to design their graphics and content as well as the code you´ll need to factor in additional time.

A good graphic/web designer usually charges $50/75 an hour for top end stuff. If you are just starting out and don´t have a lot of awesome sites to show as a reference, I wouldn´t charge this much right off the bat. High prices might deter some clients because of your lack of references. For a new designer I´d say somewhere in the $20/30 an hour is sufficient, just so you can get some sites in your name and have more references to show.

So, let´s say they want a basic static web page with XHTML/CSS, and you have to create 1 logo. Your will provide the content and pictures...

I´d say this would take about 4-5 hours to complete if you are proficient with HTML and CSS, and maybe another hour to build their logo. So, I´d give them a quote of $175.00-200.00-ish for a basic site with 3-4 pages with a gallery and contact form.

Then I´d add additional time on for each specific request, like more graphics, pictures, PHP, ASP, custom JS, etc...it all depends on how quick you are with these different languages.

I am pretty fast at HTML/CSS.

This is sort of in the eye of the beholder is it not? There are a lot of design companies out there that use templates to get someone´s site up and running pretty quick and charge maybe $100.00 for the same site you might be charging $200.00 for.

So, with your first few sites I would say the $175-200.00 range per site would be about right. Then, as you progress and gain more skill you can increase your hourly rate to the $50-$75 an hour range, BUT ONLY if you offer a real creative and unique solution on each and every web site you create. If you stick with templates and make every site look sort of similar you cannot charge premium prices. Once you get to that advanced level, you can price your sites to be more at the $400.00 range for that basic site.

Hope this helps.