How much should i charge for creating a website?

Great question! Prepare yourself for a deluge of answers here. :)

I'd recommend one contract for the website and one for the maintenance. The website you should estimate and don't close (make an invoice) till the site is complete. That way you don't charge too little for the site! Many designers make this mistake.

For the maintenance, if it's a regular amount per month, you could charge a "retainer" and have the client reserve some of your time, say 8 hours/month. But normally, I just chage by the hour for changes/updates. Seems to work for less than 8 hours a month updates.

For your rate, interview as many local web designers as you can. Are you beginning, intermediate, or advanced? Charge accordingly as your area will have a price range.

Again, don't charge a flat fee for a website as you'll underestimate it, more often than not, and get the short end of the deal. I always leave my website bills open till the site is complete. And most importantly, don't hand any files over, host it on your own isp, till you are paid in full.

Get at least 1/3rd down before you start the work.

HOpe this helps and keep us posted on progress.

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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"

Be very specific in your contract on what you are set out to do for the agreed amount. A website is a very broad term and you don't want to be caught up in a situation where you don't get payed fully because the client thinks you should include a number of things that you haven't planned for.

Yea above advice is good.

I charge around £400 - 500 for a simple site. That includes everything.

But each design job is different.

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BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
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"Did I really try to find an "undo" button on a vending machine?"

There's a lot more to it than just this (as you've seen above), but one thing to think about is what the client is willing to pay.