Comments for Why are web professionals SO expensive? at http://joomla4web.com , comment 1 to 6 out of 6 comments http://joomla4web.com Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:31:00 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://joomla4web.com/blog/why-are-web-professionals-so-expensive.html#comment-51 I don't know why jabadabaduu thinks $75-$100 on a freelance basis is rocket science wages. Of course there are plenty of people who aren't worth the money, just as there are in any industry and in every office. You can't judge the value by the hourly rate -- I was going to outsource a programming task to a co. that claimed to know Joomla and charged 1/4 the going hourly rate. They gave an estimate of 40 hours on a job that should take 4-8 hours (depending on skill level). So $20/hr can be more costly than $80/hr. - donna Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:46:37 +0100 http://joomla4web.com/blog/why-are-web-professionals-so-expensive.html#comment-50 Thanks for the great post, its a very good look at reality. I think jabadabaduu is confusing web hobbyist with professional. It is easy to do, because the tools and skills to say you 'do web development/design' can be free (see Jen's Lynda.com series for an example) and widely documented. Its how I started, way back when I was still in school. And thats great, the problem arises with clients who expect the same quality of work from a person who has learned the basics on their own and someone who is formally educated or has years of experience. The problem comes in not with raw ability to run a computer, but the refined skill required to understand balance in a design, or proper security measures in programming, or proper phrasing to get attention. Most people go to a professional for taxes, car repairs, and health care, but for some reason web development is often not considered to have the same requirements. And as Jen points out here, the biggest reasons for rates lies in freelancing. If you are an employee somewhere, you get far more than a paycheck, but as a freelancer you only get income (which is also usually taxed higher than for any other individual). Great post Jen! - Jeremy Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:27:14 +0100 http://joomla4web.com/blog/why-are-web-professionals-so-expensive.html#comment-49 Well, you must be a developer. What a shame you don't respect the skills of a truly professional front-end person. They can do great graphic design, interface design, HTML and CSS, usability, information architecture, project management, client management, and that's just a start. Absolutely designers are worth their weight in gold. On the other hand, I agree with what you're saying about "weekend webmasters" who don't know much about web design or development but label themselves as such. Remember you can say the same thing about programmers too. Just because you took a day long class on PHP doesn't make you an expert. Even a class at a college or university isn't enough experience -- you need some schooling and some on the job experience to really do well at your job. The same is true for designers, but the entry to that job is typically at a lower level of expertise. I don't agree that designers should be paid less IF they actually do their job well and have experience. - Jen Kramer Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:33:02 +0100 http://joomla4web.com/blog/why-are-web-professionals-so-expensive.html#comment-48 but there are perhaps too many web designers out there who think they are up to the job, but eventually cannot even deliver basic static html&css site. not even talking about more complex stuff which is what is almost always needed. i feel that as it is very competitive market, web designers are plentiful and random quality. there is a vortex in all these web design blogs which is sucking ppl in and get them to buy a dream designer which often cannot deliver much more than basic level of mediocre work. problem arise when these people think they know a lot and has ego to ask that million dollar price tag about it. i definitely support much lower rates for web design work. it is not rocket science and should not get paid like one either. if this wont be proven otherwise, in a couple of years when emerging economies get a hang of things, return to medium is a reality. - jabadabaduu Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:50:44 +0100 http://joomla4web.com/blog/why-are-web-professionals-so-expensive.html#comment-47 Great points Jen. You're dead on about how people look at freelancers. It's always greener on the other side but for a lot of people, when they get to the other side, they have to have the security of the pay-check. I have a lot of friends with a lot of talent. They'd make a killing if they'd go and create their own web apps / business, etc. but they can't because they need someone to create structure around their life. Not a bad thing. Just how people are made. On the other hand...I'm glad I went out on my own! I'll never go back! When I started I had some smirks at the hourly and even project rates. However, I think that once one moves from freelance to a small web firm with several people in the company that issue goes a way. Once people start viewing what you do as a viable business and not 'someone who works from home', the hourly and project rates aren't questioned as much. - Rick Blalock Sat, 02 Jan 2010 11:59:55 +0100 http://joomla4web.com/blog/why-are-web-professionals-so-expensive.html#comment-46 I'm working five years as freelancer and I have recognized myself (and my clients) in your article. Best wishes for next 12 months! - Erik Roznbeker Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:12:39 +0100