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General Discussion

Posted by Michael Hampshire
Michael Hampshire
12,206 Points

Looking for web design/development experience, should I charge?

Hello,

I'm looking to get myself into the real world of web design and development. I've had 1 interview that went great, but I couldn't accept it because I couldn't afford it. So that lead me to do some freelance work to get some experience and possibly get a better offer or maybe just start my own business.

Question: Since I don't have any experience, I found a few local business that don't have websites. Should I offer to make them one for free so I can get the experience and add it to my portfolio or should I charge for the websites?

I'm just looking for the best way to go about this. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Mike

Moderator Edit: Change topic of Post to "General Discussion" as it does not pertain to any specific Treehouse Course, Workshop, or Video.

Abraham Juliot
Abraham Juliot
47,353 Points
Abraham Juliot
Abraham Juliot
47,353 Points

Never work for less than a penny unless it's for a good cause: such as charity, a gift to a loved one, or projects that can get you exposure. You may find this handy chart useful: http://shouldiworkforfree.com/clean.html

2 Answers

Nils Garland
Nils Garland
18,416 Points
Nils Garland
Nils Garland
18,416 Points

Hi Michael! I'm in a similar situation as you. But I have learnt from a number of mentors that you should for sure go make some websites for you portfolio off charge. The money you would make will be gained back in seconds when you actually get a job since you are probably only going to make the websites for some local shop or something and they will likely not pay you that much. However if you explain your skills without intending to make them a website and they ask for it then you should take the money obviously, thats what I have mainly done the past two months and it's worked fine. I know tons of guys in the industry and they say that having a big portfolio and learning whilst you build it is the best thing you can do. I hope my advice helps you out in any way.

Ricky Catron
Ricky Catron
13,023 Points
Ricky Catron
Ricky Catron
13,023 Points

Never work for free. Minimum wage sure but never work for free. (Sorry If I misunderstood the phrase off charge)

Nils Garland
Nils Garland
18,416 Points

I simply ment like websites for a broke organisation like a charity event or something to get the ball rolling.

James Kirkpatrick
James Kirkpatrick
25,001 Points
James Kirkpatrick
James Kirkpatrick
25,001 Points

I FULLY agree with Ricky. First-hand experience quickly broke me of any notions of doing any work for free. The biggest problem you can find yourself in is, more times than not; they will expect you to be their web-master. That means updates, backups, adding/deleting content, etc. All for the same price you charged them to begin with ($0.00). Another problem you can (and eventually will) find yourself in is your "client" will want and expect you to add new pages, change layout, copy write, etc. all for that same wonderful price ($0.00).

Unfortunately, if you DO go that route, people and other businesses will ask them who did their web site and how much they were charged. They will have no problem saying you did it for free. No matter how good you are, you will quickly get known as undesirable developer. "After all, you built those sites for free, now you want to charge? How dare you?!" Yep, that's exactly what happens when you go that route.

I built one site for free for an NPO. I will never make that mistake again. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way. Please learn from my mistake (and of those that came before me). I'm glad you asked that question. It NEEDED to be asked. I just wish I had asked it before I got burned.

So, ALWAYS charge for your work. What's your time worth to you? Bill by the hour or bill buy the job. See what the going rate is in your area, Then try to undersell THEM, not yourself. Undersell them just enough to catch someone's attention. But not enough to be a turn-off. People are funny animals. They tend to have the perception if something is free or doesn't cost very much, then it must not be very good. And if something costs more, it MUST be good.

I know. It's weird. There's always a sense of value attached to money. Go figure.

Best of luck to you. And Happy Coding!