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Why your website should have a price list

In researching stuff for wedding planning/articles I’m writing, I’ve been stymied, more often than not, by businesses that offer no indication of pricing on their websites. It’s been frustrating, to put it mildly.

The case for putting a pricing page on your website

It minimises the risk of wasting time, be it yours or a client’s.

When you don’t post a price list, punters don’t know what field you’re playing on. Are you budget? Are you mid-range? Or are you premium?

All we then have to go on is the coherence of your writing, the design aesthetic of your website, and other indicators (that a non-specialist may or may not judge correctly). And as we all know, a slick website is not an indicator of quality in the 21st century.

But every project is different!

I get that in many cases it’s very much an individual thing and it’s hard to quote on something sight unseen (although with some things, like venue hire, surely there is a more or less fixed price that is the default minimum and won’t change all that much, except perhaps for time slots when demand is higher. If you provide photography or videography, there is surely an hourly rate you won’t go below, or a package that is the absolute floor in terms of price point).

But if it’s at all possible to even indicate a wide price range, that would be helpful for so many people. There’s nothing more frustrating than emailing for more information when you have no idea what ballparkĀ  companies are playing in, only to receive an ulcer-inducing quote back.

But if I put prices on my website, people will be scared off!

Yes, being upfront about your price bands will scare some off – but odds are they were not going to be able to afford you anyway. A price list simply saves everyone some time.

But updating the website to reflect price changes is a pain!

If you’re having to adjust your prices more than, say, once or twice a year tops, that’s probably a warning sign. And if even doing that is technically difficult for you, consider taking a closer look at how your website is run.

Put a price tag on it!

Do you feel the same way? Freelancers/business owners, what’s your philosophy on revealing pricing?

6 thoughts on “Why your website should have a price list

  • Reply Holly@ClubThrifty January 11, 2013 at 00:46

    We don’t have any pricing on our website for advertising but I don’t think it’s a bad idea. That might be something we would do in the future. Right now we just respond to every inquiry and try to negotiate to the point where everyone is happy!

  • Reply Kevin Post January 11, 2013 at 05:52

    I agree with the article. I think it’s very important to publish pricing whenever a service is offered, especially advertisement space. I believe that most advertisers and potential customers want to feel that they aren’t being ripped off (“I want to pay what everyone else pays” is a common attitude). By hiding the price people are more subject to feel like they are being cheated. Maybe I’m incorrect by saying this but it is how I would feel.

    In the online world I don’t want to have to barter and therefore waste my time trying to negotiate a price for a product or service. I suppose I could spend my time e-mailing back and forth in online barter banter but that is just wasting my time when all I wanted was to purchase something or pay for a service.

    This is a fast pace world with a lot of competition, save your clients some time and give them at least an estimate upfront.

  • Reply CF January 11, 2013 at 19:47

    I’ve definitely found it frustrating, particularly when dealing with something like furniture or renovations. I had to send multiple emails before someone would give me a solid number for our custom closet organizer. A simple range, depending on size and materials chosen, would have been helpful!

  • Reply My Money Design January 15, 2013 at 06:45

    Although I’d never post a price list for my blogging stuff, I totally agree with you! I really hate when I’m trying to buy something commercially and I have to call to ask for a quote. Its never simple and it takes forever. Just tell me the price already!

  • Reply CashNetUSA | Carnival of Money Pros - CashNetUSA January 21, 2013 at 05:51

    […] @ NZ Muse writes Why your website needs a price list – I can understand why you might not want to display your prices for all and sundry to see […]

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