To price WordPress services, calculate your minimum hourly target from your costs and income goal, estimate project hours honestly, then sell fixed-price packages based on the value to the client rather than raw hours. Offer three tiers, charge a deposit, define the scope in writing, bill extra work as change requests, and add a monthly maintenance plan to every website project.
- Know your floor: the lowest rate that keeps your business healthy.
- Fixed packages are easier for clients to say yes to than hourly quotes.
- Price the outcome (more bookings, more sales), not just the pages.
- Three tiers help clients choose and often lift the average sale.
- Scope creep is the silent profit killer. Write everything down.
Why do most WordPress freelancers undercharge?
Imagine a freelancer who quotes $150 for a five-page business site, thinking it will take a weekend. Revisions, content delays, plugin issues and a hosting migration stretch it to three weeks. Per hour, he earned less than a part-time job, and the client still expects free support afterwards.
Underpricing usually comes from guessing hours, forgetting non-billable time (sales, emails, revisions) and not defining scope.
How do you calculate your minimum rate?
- Add up yearly costs: software, hosting, equipment, internet, taxes and savings.
- Add your income goal for the year.
- Estimate billable hours. Most freelancers bill around 50 to 60 percent of working time.
- Divide total needed by billable hours. That is your floor rate, not your selling price.
Which pricing model should you use?
| Model | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Unclear fixes, ongoing support | Fair for unknown work | Clients fear open-ended bills |
| Fixed project price | Websites, stores, redesigns | Easy to approve, rewards efficiency | Needs tight scope |
| Packages (3 tiers) | Marketplaces, small businesses | Simple choice, upsell built in | Must define each tier clearly |
| Value-based | Revenue-critical projects | Highest earning potential | Needs trust and business understanding |
| Monthly retainer | Maintenance, SEO, content | Recurring, predictable income | Must show ongoing value |
Live 1-to-1 WordPress and Elementor lessons built around your own site or freelance goals. Beginners welcome.
What should a WordPress package include?
- Number of pages or templates, and which ones.
- Design rounds and revision limits.
- Features: forms, booking, blog, store, integrations.
- Who provides content and images, and by when.
- SEO setup, speed optimisation and mobile testing.
- Training, handover and support period.
- Payment terms: for example a deposit up front and the balance before launch.
For reference, Tanvir WebXprt’s complete WordPress and Elementor websites start from $899, with SEO from $300. Your own prices should reflect your market, experience and results. Clients can also get an instant estimate with the website quote calculator, which is a good model for how to present clear pricing.
How do you present prices so clients say yes?
- Ask about goals first: what should the website achieve?
- Recap the problem in the proposal, in the client’s words.
- Offer three options with clear differences.
- Show proof: similar projects and results.
- Set an expiry date on the quote and make the next step simple.
Find buyers on the right channels with the platforms guide and keep projects organised with client management tools.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I charge for a WordPress website?
It depends on scope, market and experience. Small brochure sites can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars; stores and custom builds cost more.
Hourly or fixed price for WordPress work?
Fixed prices for defined projects, hourly for unclear fixes and ongoing support. Many freelancers combine both.
How do I avoid scope creep?
Write the scope, revision rounds and deadlines into the proposal, and price extra requests as change orders.
Should I charge a deposit?
Yes. A deposit, often 30 to 50 percent, confirms commitment and protects your time.
Should I offer maintenance plans?
Yes. Monthly maintenance for updates, backups, security and small edits gives clients peace of mind and you recurring income.
Live 1-to-1 WordPress and Elementor lessons on your own site, from $40. Every lesson recorded. Beginners welcome.
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Tanvir H is a Bangladesh-based WordPress and Elementor web designer with 7+ years of experience, 650+ projects and a 4.9 client rating. New websites, redesigns, fixes, speed, security and SEO, handled by one expert who explains everything in plain English and works with clients worldwide.
