Hey everyone! I just landed my first paid job creating a static website for a client. It's going to be about 5 pages, and they're providing some images and brand materials. I'll also do a little bit of copywriting and create a couple of the elements myself. The website will be self-hosted and I need some advice on how to price this project. What should I quote them for the entire site, and what would be a reasonable rate for monthly maintenance or updates?
3 Answers
You could also think about how much you want to earn per month. Figure out how many pages you can realistically create in a month, then set your pricing based on that. If you want to make $3000 and can do 12 pages, you’d rate each page at $250. Just be sure to take into account any additional work you’ll do like copywriting.
First off, congrats on getting your first paid project! When it comes to pricing, it's tough without knowing your location, but a common method is to estimate the hours you'll need to complete the project and then multiply that by an hourly rate. As a beginner, you might want to start on the lower end. For a simple 5-page static site, I’d suggest quoting around $2000-4000, depending on how much customization the client wants.
$2000-4000 seems a bit high for a basic site. Here in the UK, a contractor can charge between £350-£550 a day. Just keep in mind that you should always check what the client is willing to pay!
Honestly, for a project like this, I might quote around $1000 if everything is straightforward. Most people would charge more for additional services like hosting and ongoing maintenance, but you could start with that and adjust later based on their needs.
I totally get that approach, but don’t undervalue your work! If you’re handcrafting each aspect, it deserves a good price. Just make sure it’s sustainable for you!

Right! Also, don’t forget to ask the client what their budget is. It can help guide your offer and sets expectations too.