Without a contract that limits the number of review requests allowed or what exactly you are going to create, customers can technically order whatever they want and you would have no recourse to charge more. If you focus only on low prices, cheap website builders or freelancers may seem like a good option to design your website because they charge less. It would simply require a mindset change on your part, an adjustment to your brand and advertising, as well as some additional services. The clear differentiator between charging website customers by the hour and charging a flat rate is the mindset for both you and the customer.
While there are clear benefits to charging an hourly rate, there is compensation that I have hinted at before. How much does it cost to start a blog? Take a look at all the costs involved in creating and managing a successful blog. Since you might not know how long a project will take, especially if it's a type you've never designed before, you still have an idea of what type of hourly rate you want to charge. You can disable them by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website works.
Sure, if you choose poor tools, you'll end up with a poor quality product, but if you're careful with the builder you choose, you can set yourself up for success. In this scenario, a flat fee is charged, but it's for a recurring web design service, not just a one-time creation. You could be dreaming of all the bells and whistles, the complex programming, the brilliant design features, and the abundance of interactive elements, but remember to be realistic and set achievable goals when you start. An independent web designer should set their minimum hourly rate to accommodate all of these expenses and keep their business afloat.
If you decide to automate your workflows with software to free up time to work on more projects simultaneously, the number of billable hours you can charge is reduced. Because the customer has a clearer understanding that they are paying for the result, you can also charge more. Honestly, it's hard to put on a price tag, since it depends on your budget and the goals you've set for your business.
