Thank you, everyone, for your insight. To keep in line with our mission, VMS will refrain from posting our rates on the website. I've learned that it's better to wait for the client to bring up the issue!

Enjoy your Sunday!
Becky

Weighing in late, but I got my first client because my rates were posted. She felt that I was interested in saving her time by not making her dig for the information that was important to her. I've taken them down for a period of time but didn't see a difference in response, inquiries. I'm a busy woman and I don't have time for people to call me checking on rates, when that can easily be answered from my website. If the rate doesn't suit your need/budget than please don't call me asking to adjust them. This helps me weed out clients who are really interested vs though who are looking for cheapest.

__________________
Tamika R. Johnson, MBA, Principal
administrative partners, llc
www.administrativepartners.net | http://adminpartners.blogspot.com

Great topic, this was very much on my mind too.

While I feel that as a average consumer I like to know the cost of something right up front, businesses tend to not think like me and tend to be more concerned with the quality of work and reliability.

Saying that, I HATE negotiating and tend to sell myself short in a one-on-one situation. That's why the idea of posting my rates makes me feel like "this is what it is" and gives me a firmer ground to stand on.

LaneIT, why do you think that others do NOT post their rates, and why do you NOT choose those that do? Is there some sort of psychological thing that if the rates are not posted, then they must be more professional? Just curious. I am genuinely intrigued, and I think I agree with you. I just don't know why!!

I have to join Dianna in asking why you wouldn't want to post your rates - or at least some basic indication. Do you consider it in poor taste to do so?

__________________
Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Thanks to everyone whose answered. I hadn't really thought about it, but the comments here really have me thinking.

As a customer, I like to have an idea up-front of what something costs, so I know if I can afford it or not. I thought it a good idea to offer the same to potential clients; however some of the responses here have me questioning that. I'd love to hear more thoughts and opinions both ways as I try to sort this out.

__________________
Gladys Strickland
GS Business Resources

I also posed this question on LinkedIn (on various discussion sites of groups I belong to). The general consensus there was to not post rates and to focus more on the value of your services. Posting rates may turn your services into a commodity.

Most of my services are a per-service flat rate anyways. Maybe its the difference between Marketing and VA services. It makes more sense for VA services to maybe post their rates since it doesn't fluctuate much whereas other industries have packages put together for their clients and would charge a flat rate. Does this make sense?

I'm now thinking that since Virtual Marketing Solutions is a mix of marketing and a virtual assistance company...I may post something like "administrative services start at $xx/hour. We also provide several marketing services that can be tailored to fit your company's needs and we will provide those at a flat fee".

Can anyone else relate to this?!
Bec

I'm very interested in this debate, so I did some more research. I've pasted some comments I found on both options. Note: some of these are points already made in this thread - not stealing them, just wanted to add them to the lists - thanks!

Posting rates:
- usability - makes the user experience as easy as possible
- people know what to expect - may be more likely to take action
- if contact you, they’ve already decided your rates are ok
- perception - would attract the people who think that if you have to ask, you can’t afford it
- perception - people judge abilities based on price - could see expensive as quality (or arrogant), cheap as crap (or affordable, or pushover)
- would ward off those looking to pay $4 hour
- cuts down on the time taken to answer enquiries on your rates
- cuts down on the negotiating
- problem could occur if client tries to estimate total costs based on how long they think it should take – could be a problem both ways – they could imagine it taking much longer than you can do it and go away – or they could imagine it taking much less than it actually does and come to you with unreasonable expectations
- focuses on the cost of your services

Not posting rates:
- won’t have to suffer feeling embarrassed that people see what you charge
- they may not take the time to ask for your rates or think that "if you have to ask, you can’t afford it"
- can customize the cost of each project based on its required efforts and time, as well as your interest in doing the job
- might also want to vary your rates based on client – ex: a lower price for a non-profit organization – they wouldn’t know this if they saw your rates on your site
- your posted rates don’t trap you in the embarrassing situation of having to convince a client that his project will cost more than your going rate
- get clients that are not shopping by price - they’re interested in doing business with you because you made a good impression
- run the risk of letting your competition see what you charge and helping them undercut your pricing
- if rates fluctuate, easier to not post
- focuses on the value of your services

This probably doesn't really have a right or wrong answer. I guess it comes down to what sounds right to you and your particular business.

Deb

p.s. Several of these came from a Men With Pens article, Posting Your Writer Rates: Pros and Cons that expands on it much more.

p.p.s. Sorry for the very long post.

__________________
Deb at Ivy Freelance
Metrics, Marketing and Macros

Hi, yes, my rate is public (now), & I give discounts. I also state that depending on this or that, I may be willing to negotiate & therefore also ask people to simply get in touch with me to discuss. (I don't use those words, but close.)

I kind of stray away from this "written in stone" thinking (for anything), so my opinion is do what seems to work best for you - & you may even change it up later... lol

Originally Posted by vmsowner

I'm at a crossroads and would love to hear your opinion. The issue at hand is whether or not I should post my hourly and per project flat rates. I have heard pros and cons for each, but would appreciate your thoughts on the issue. Right now, I am leaning towards keeping rates off the website. VMS settles for nothing but perfection to our clients and we focus on the value of our services as opposed to the 'cheapest' rates available. This sparked another question--if you were interested in our company, would you consider it an inconvenience to fill out a short form to request a proposal instead of having to search for specific rates? Thank you, in advance, for your feedback. I do appreciate it! Cheers, Becky Ferris

__________________
shana
www.shanafore.com

Posting rates is always a good "doI/don't I" subject. If you are comfortable talking about money with your potential clients then by all means don't post your rates. Some think that if a client calls asking about rates it is a good time to engage them in a conversation. Some people have their practice full and are looking for the next ideal high paying client to come along and to post their rates would establish a top end. Some people have so many skills that have different rates attached it would be a long list and confusing.

Posting rates is great at the beginning as it gives you a chance to get totally comfortable with your new business. It removes the looming "money conversation" from the consult and lets you focus on your services and letting the potential client see how brilliant you really are.

I do not post my rates.

__________________
Sondy Szymanis
Stray Ducks