How to calculate the rate of a freelance web developer?

Asking what the hourly rate of a freelance web developer is is like asking how much rent is paid in the US. Just as the rent varies greatly depending on the location, size, quality and budget of the tenant, the rates of a developer depends on the project, his experience and even where he lives. Some developers charge $ 20,000 for a web page, while others ask for $ 30 per hour. It all depends on the developer.

If you want to hire a freelance web developer, the first step is to identify exactly what services you need.

What kind of development?

Not all development work is the same. Do you want a web page from scratch or do you just need to update an existing page? Can you take care of the maintenance once the page is working or do you need someone you can call to help you? Do you want a simple website with a couple of pages, or a complete e-commerce page?

The requests we receive most often are for websites from scratch, maintenance and small design projects …

Website from scratch – Creating a website from scratch is almost always more expensive in the short term than adding things to an existing page. However, added as a content management system, HTML5 and adaptation to mobile devices will have an additional cost.

Continuous maintenance – All web pages need continuous maintenance, but not all of them need a programmer. Depending on the style of your web page, it can be something you can do yourself, so make sure your developer shows you the backend of any web page (and take notes!) So that you can really understand if it is something What you can handle. If you are not able to handle it, you need to have a developer on hand to help you with updates, hosting problems, URL changes, tool integration or the creation of new pages. Ideally, you should establish a relationship with your developer instead of hiring the first one you find when you need help.

Design needs – Sometimes freelance developers also offer design services, such as creating images for blog posts and other web pages. These services are usually performed for a single rate instead of for hours.

So what are the rates?

As we have said, the rates vary. You can spend $ 2,000 for a new website, or $ 20,000 to fix a page you have had for a long time. A professional can charge you $ 150 per hour for a simple job, while a newbie can ask you $ 30 per hour for a fairly complex project because he is building his portfolio.

With this wide variety, it is important to establish a budget and determine your needs. The final price you will pay will have to be fine for you and the developer, since having a budget in mind will help you find something that fits your needs.

For example, if you have a budget of $ 800 and you need a website with WordPress of 5 pages, you will move in a price category, and it will not be that of $ 150 per hour! There is no problem with that, but you have to know before you start looking for someone to hire so you don’t waste time with people who are out of your reach.

If you are not sure of your budget, try asking friends or colleagues how much they have paid. This should give you an idea of ​​the rates in your area. Try to gather all the information you can from real experiences.

In the end, hiring a freelance developer is always cheaper than hiring an employee, unless you don’t have a fairly large company … and even then, sometimes, it is more profitable to choose a freelance! For example, paying an employee $ 80,000 a year, in addition to the benefits, to create a web page in three months (i.e. approx. $ 20,000) will end up being twice as much as paying $ 10,000 to a freelance to build the same page on it. Weather. Ukrainian developers are most competitive with excellent skills in their industry. 

Where can I find these people?

We are trying to make it easier to find high quality developers, but it’s still a bit complicated. If you are looking for a freelance developer, here are some resources you can go to:

Your contacts – Your calendar is the best place to look for a freelance web developer. Ask your friends who created their web pages. How do they do it for maintenance? Who do you recommend? They probably have a secret weapon that they are willing to reveal to you.

Guru – Guru is a website specialized in helping freelance developers find projects. It allows you to publish your project and your budget and is a good option for those with a tight budget.

Stack Exchange – Stack Exchange is a community of developers of all kinds. Many freelance developers share tips in this community, so it’s a perfect place if you have a new project and want to spread the word.

Toptal – Toptal is a new platform that connects the best developers with customers who need their services. Unlike Guru and other freelance pages, Toptal focuses on the best, and only accepts 3% of the developers that apply.