I really can't stand when ignorant people think Web Design/Devlopment is just something someone does as a hobby. On Craigslist today I saw a few HILARIOUS posts: 1) A womans online e-commerce clothing store was looking for a student to do some maintnence to their website weekly. They have a $35 a month budget. So basically your getting $35 A MONTH to update the catolgoue, add captions, prices, pictures, and so on. I see this so much. Companies assume college kids will work like mexicans to earn a penny. This job opportunity doesn't even have a reason to work for, its not like you can show on your portfolio (look at I changed some pictures). You have a company and a $35 per month budget for this? Why even HIRE someone to do this job if your paying out such a low amount, why not do it yourself. 2) We are a non-profit company and don't have money to spend on a website. We were wondering if someone would do it for free, with a domain and hosing. Yea a free website...let me just pull $150 out of MY pocket for YOUR website and give it to you. Just because your a charity yea. Let me work for free. 3) We are looking for a complete website with a custom template, integrated backend blah blah blah. Our budget is $100. Your going to request all this stuff and say your budget is $100? I'm sorry but Web Design isn't like in 1995 when you could pick up a book on how to use Geocities and crank out an ugly page in an hour. I dont think these people realize it takes hard work to come up with some websites. Especially when they ask for the FULL works. I think a lot of people who require web design work really underestimate the quality/time/and work done by us. People assume a college kid will crank out a grade-a website in one weekend for $50 just to be able to eat some Ramen. It seems like its the less techy people who don't understand the job, but I still see it from people who seem to know EXACTLY what they want too. Who knows. any thoughts?
When it requires you to shell out the money for hosting/domain/on-going maintnence its a different story. The least they could do is aquire a domain and hosting with some of their money they receive for budgets/expenses.
I did several web designing projects with CMS for free. Since I'm not a professional web developer, its ok for me.
The chances are, though, that they are clueless in the world of the web and wouldn't know how to set one up anyway. Also, webmasters are likely to have the ability to set up more hosting without cost to them (such as a WHM account). As well as this (!), it's still a donation to a charity whether money or time. Although I appreciate it may not be for full-time designers, it would be a good opportunity for freelancers looking to add to their portfolio or get some experience while making a contribution to charity.
Amen to you cluongo. Just love the title of this thread! The funniest thing is not just how often people have unrealistic expectations, but how often I find myself going along with them! Just a sucker!
I think this undermines your argument. This isn't stand up. You're trying to make a point. Leave the racism out.
don't be afraid to put your prices or your hourly rate in public where everyone knows you are not a fly-by-night cheap web designer. If you know your worth, it shows, and people pay you accordingly. I totally get what you're saying. Some people have unreasonable expectations, and expect the world for peanuts. You have to learn how to turn away those kinds of clients even though you may need the money. If you value yourself, people will value you. Think about it.
Please. Get off your high horse and lighten up pal. Amen! Well said arwen54! I believe that is very true! I think that is a big problem, people become used to working for less and just accept that. I've definitely done that in "NORMAL" (aka non web design jobs) and just accepted whatever pay I could get. Good words my man!