[wp-hackers] Charging to install WordPress

[Lew Ayotte]

I have two points to add to this conversation.

First, cost is not how much money you pay for something, it is how much you
are willing to lose to get something. 1500$ may be what someone is willing
to lose to not have to learn how to install Wordpress on their own. We all
say that it only takes us 5 minutes to install, but to a complete newbie, it
takes much longer (maybe even days). They may not know what a database is,
what sort of webhost to look for, how to get the setup information, etc.
When you look at it like that, an IT Director may be willing to spend 1500$
to get someone to do 5 minutes worth of work (and do it correctly) instead
of paying an newbie staff member a few days worth of salary to guess at it.

Second, some people may charge a higher rate because they don't want to be
bothered by people who merely want to install wordpress. Taking 5-10 minutes
to install wordpress for someone could cause a busy developer to completely
lose train of thought. I work for a Network Consulting firm and sometimes we
overbid a customer because we don't want the job, we know that those sort of
customers usually end up costing more money than we ultimately get back.

Third, some businesses equate high price with expertise, so there will
always be the high price market out there.

And Fourth, if someone cannot afford to pay the 1500$ or feels like it is a
rip-off, than they will find someone more reasonable. My rate is only 75$/hr
- min 1 hr. Some may say that I am ripping someone off for only doing 5
minutes worth of work and charging for an hours worth.

Just my thoughts on the subject.
Lew


On Fri, Jun 6, 2008 at 11:06 PM, DD32 <wordpress at dd32.id.au> wrote:

> On Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:47:13 +1000, Eric Marden <wp at xentek.net> wrote:
>
>  about people who charge outrageous prices to install WordPress (eg.
>>> €550/$850/£430) :
>>>
>>
>> I wouldn't say that at all. Never underestimate your value - not your
>> worth - your value. And never be ashamed of making money. If the
>> customer values the service enough to pay that price, who are you to
>> say its a rip off.
>>
>> I can make up to $300 / hr consulting. Often times, wordpress is
>> involved. Obviously I'm doing more than just installing wordpress, but
>> that's not really how the world works anyway.
>>
>> perception is almost everything. results are the rest.
>>
>
> I agree with that.
>
> Most on this list can install WordPress in a matter of minutes.
>
> Most mechanics can change an oil filter in a matter of minutes, Does that
> mean they shouldn't charge you for their knowledge and know-how?
>
> Specialising in something and knowing how to do it well and right gives you
> the ability to charge for it :)
>
> If someone wants to pay $1000 then so be it, If they ask around and find
> someone who'll do it for $200, Then as a consumer they've looked around for
> what they're willing to pay.
>
> If i payed $1000, I would personally expect other services to come with it,
> But thats not everyone.
> I had someone come to me a few weeks ago after paying $500 for a wordpress
> blog and theme from a company, The theme didnt even work properly, There
> were extra html tags scattered through it which made it look horrible as
> soon as you posted content. Instead of going back to them and paying the
> $200/h consulting rate, He asked me and for a much smaller ammount i cleaned
> up his theme, I could've done the same and charged a higher ammount, But i
> felt charitable, and got him off cheaply after spending so much for a broken
> product.
>
> People need to make a living :)
>
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