Rent a Coder
I’ve had a couple of jobs through Rentacoder.com and managed to get a reasonable price for the work I completed, but it strikes me as very strange how some people don’t realise just how much work and effort goes into web design.
Just now, I was looking through the latest jobs posted, and there was one entitled “Simple Web Site”. Obviously I checked it out, and in this “simple” website they wanted a MySQL database with a login system for members with profiles etc., they wanted information to be inputted into the database then converted into a spreadsheet for download, not to mention a whole re-design. And for this “simple” web site, the person was willing to accept a maximum bid of $150! (Around £75!). I turn away at jobs like that because I’m not willing to bust a gut doing a site that would usually cost around £500+ to build.
I have to wonder if anyone other than the people in India (I’m not being racist) actually do this work for a measly £75!
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It is certainly interesting when working with clients getting their version of how much there website would cost. I personally no longer take websites that are at least not making me $500 USD in profit. My standard website price is around $5000 USD. It all depends on your specialty and your portfolio.
A specialty is very important in my eyes. Specialization can help you build a reputation as an “expert” in a particular field. This is especially useful if website design is a sideline to your primary career. So in web design your specialty might be graphic design, or php programmer, or even a flash specialist….etc.
Having that specialty within a particular field enables you to build upon your previous work as you “climb” from lower-paying markets to better and more prestigious design jobs. So long as you work within that specialty, your jobs will always be relevant, and people in the field may become familiar with your reputation even before you start to work for them. You’re also more likely to receive repeat assignments from jobs that view you as an “expert” in that area.
It’s important, however, to choose a specialty that allows such upward mobility. If you choose to specialize, one question you should ask is “What is the market for my field?”
Also, for some more on this topic have a read on my article here.
http://creativecoding.webforumz.com/editions/2007/september/articles/the-reality-of-client-interaction.php
Now, that I have spammed your blog with my thoughts, I’ll go!
Excellent post.. I will continue to watch your blog as I enjoy reading things like this. What a perfect title too a Coder - Emz Design you couldn’t have said it better.
I did my first job for only $US 2. I charge $50 for the same job now. There are people who desperately want to win a job and a client. And there are buyers that are looking for these kind of coders.
I don’t even bother to check the bid requests for less than my expected price.
Thanks for all your comments everyone
Jacob, I shall take a look at your article
I agree Sudheer that jobs under your expected price shouldn’t be looked at. I only go for the jobs that will make me profit otherwise it’s just a waste of time.
After receiving authorization from Ian Ippolito (Owner of Rent A Coder), now I own a website that teaches both buyers and coders how to use Rent a Coder with videos 100% free. I also created a software application called the RACsuccess package which teaches both buyers and coders how to succeed in Rent A Coder.
Rent A Coder is for professional people. If you are a programmer, having the necessary technical skills isn’t enough for you to succeed in Rent A Coder. You need to understand how to work in Rent A Coder to take the best out of Rent A Coder and that’s why I created the RACsuccess package which is available for sale on my website!
If you are a buyer, knowing what you need for your project isn’t enough because you also need to have techniques of choosing the best coders that less likely will let you down on your project or on the deadline of your project if deadline is really important for a specific project and you need to improve your communication skills in Rent A Coder!
The RACsuccess package will teach both buyers and coders how to have a better and more successful experience when working in Rent A Coder for just $9.95!
Check out my site: http://www.racsuccess.com
You can also outsource work and find freelance jobs at ICanFreelance.com.
Its pretty easy to use and free to post new projects.