How many people add a pricing page? (not a question about pricing or rates!)

[damon00]

I'm a web developer and I'm considering putting a pricing page on my site. Something that laid out a few basic packages, and their prices.

Something like:

Small site, (3-5 pages) = $xxx

Blog site (3-5 pages) = #xxx

eCommerce Site (5-7 pages) = $xxx

Etc, etc...

The thing is, while I've seen several companies that do that, it seems to me that about 98% of web developers don't, and only offer a free quote, and a phone number to call. Is there a reason for this? Some conventional wisdom at work that I'm not aware of?

[6StringGeek]

I don't offer pricing only because the amount of development on 3-5 pages can vary a LOT depending on what their requirements are...e.g. backend databasing, storefront, lots of scripting vs just a family homepage...just my .02.

[damon00]

That's a good point. Probably the reason most poeple don't as well.

The sites that I have seen do it are very specific about what a customer would get with each package. And they commonly list out what any extras would cost. The other thing that I see sometimes is they'll give a range for each package. Something like:
Standard Package (3-5 pages) = $xxx to $xxxx

Thanks for the input.

[felgall]

I do have a few prices listed like that but the page also specifies a lot of details about what the pages can contain for that price.

Such pricing is only really useful for introductory packages where you are offering something where you know how long it would take to create in the first place because there are not too many variables.

[damon00]

Yeah, that's kind of what i was thinking. Just a few packages that are well known quantities. And then anything else would fall under 'custom website' and they'd need to call for a quote.

At least that way people have some idea what they're in for price wise before they call me.

Anyway, I'm not completely sure I'm going to do it. I've got to think about it some more.