What would you do? Take the money?

Hi,
Today I got a email from a very large company who makes shoes, it is a very popular shoe and they asked me to make them a website and their budget is US$ 50,000 to 100,000.
For what they want, I can make it for a fraction of that, I am about to send them an email telling them that I will do it for what we charge and they can keep the rest of the money.

I have to admit, I was about to hide the prices on my website but hought I better be a good boy

What would you have done.

 

Tell them that you can make it for a lot cheaper than what they are offering. It will surely raise your PR status and they will surely promote you to other companies for being cheap and honest.

 

Tell them that you charge a project fee, which is fixed for the full project as described. And make that according to your normal prices. And then, like all other web-builders, you charge extra, per hour, for any extra changes, modifications and add-ons which they order along the way.

Better to take your normal rates and keep a happy, paying customer and make more money from them in the lng run, by offering to run/update the site for them with an annual contract. They will be happy and feel well treated, and you get someone who keeps putting money in your bank account.

Don't go for the quick buck, it almost always comes back and bites you in the ass.

 

For this kind of case, normally i will charge abit higher, but what i mean "abit" higher is still less than what they willing to pay, let's say $40,000
Of course, you gotta work outstanding, spend more time and give them the best

 

Very honourable of you and the right thing to do.

If their budget has been selected out of the air then that is fine, but have you looked at their requirements very closely? Their budget may include, or assume, things that you haven't picked up on - long-term maintenance/bug-fixing, hosting on a server farm, or some other matter. Just be sure you are on the same wavelength as them to make sure you haven't missed anything obvious (or not so obvious). Larger companies tend to have budgets based on some sort of historical spend or on careful research, and there may be a good reason their budget is what it is. Don't want you to get so far through the project before finding out something you weren't aware of.

Just a small warning. Good luck with this. Do a great job and it will bode well for your future.

 

I think you must not do that.
They are willing to have good website so they are willing to pay high.
If you charge them cheap, they will think that yours is cheap quality. Sometimes honest can lead you to fail.
this is my opinion

 

I agree, there must be a reason they expect to pay that much. Be sure you know what you're getting into or you may be sorry down the line.
Take the money.

 

I would be very cautious of this company to, if you're taking on a project that is worth $50,000 I would make sure you sign a contract to ensure they are serious. Also set up a payment system where they pay you in installments...ex. they pay you $25,000 when the project is half completed or something along those lines. Just make sure you don't get scammed or dig yourself a big hole with a project you can't handle.

 

Pricing should be in line with the quality of your work. You want smart LONG TERM clients who aren't afraid to INVEST in good design.

It's great that they have a good budget, but don't make them regret spending it.

 

Just don't get scammed, this whole situation looks really suspicious. But props for you, for staying honest. Hopefully, it'll be good for you in the long run.

 

I am doubtful about the pricing too. If they got the budget for 50 to 100k USD, don't you think they will just send an email like that? For sure they got agency to do this kind of stuff for them.

But if its true then good for you. Update us.

 

With the information that is in this post, there is no way to know what you should do.

Large corporate sites have high price tags for a reason, and it's not because they like spending money.

There is additional time spent on dealing with chains of command and delays for waiting for a decision from a committee.

It's not a simple build a site and they write a check.

Large corporate projects have goals and milestones and production meetings that will require your personal (or someone in a leadership role) time and interaction.

Project management is a large portion of why the fees for corporate projects are what they are.

Yes you could build a wordpress site with a one click install in minutes, but it will take several weeks of discussion to determine that is what they need.

 

You should charge the $100k for that.
I have deal with company before.
They will be very choosy.
Last time i get $150k project for complete website,but end up they not paying me full amount due to they not satisfied with the website.

 

This company is for real, I spoke with them over the phone.
This is what they want me to do.
Build them a flash website - easy
Continue to update their website weekly with new products - easy.
Make a professional video for them to post on their website - No problem
Make a commercial for them, hire actors etc to do a great commercial - I have no experience with this, but with the money they are throwing around, I will just outsource this.

So I guess the bulk of their budget will be spent on doind a commercial which they want me to do, not sure where they got this idea that I do this from my website, but I will give it a try lol.
I wonder if I can put myself in the commercial

 

As long as they know your level, it should be fine in my opinion.

 

Just grab the opportunity

 

I assisted with making a commercial before for our local ISP back when I was managing it.
You might want to get a quote to have a commercial made first off before accepting anything. You may be surprised how much of your budget a low quality commercial will cost you.

 

Srange how they want you to make a commercial if your a website designer :?

Anyway, good luck with the $100k if it ever works out, be sure to let us know

 

I would have taken the money in a heart beat...