When you start comparing web developers, the rates can look all over the place. One person quotes per hour, another quotes per project, and an agency sends a monthly retainer. It's hard to tell who's actually cheaper and who's actually better.
I'm a freelance developer in the Philippines, and I've been on both sides of this conversation. Here's how rates usually work, what changes them and how to compare offers without getting burned. I'm not going to quote market numbers here, because they shift quickly and vary wildly. What stays the same is the logic behind them.
The three common ways developers charge
Hourly
You pay for the time spent. It's common for maintenance, small fixes and ongoing work where the scope is hard to predict.
Good for: quick fixes, open-ended support, small changes.
Watch out for: projects with no clear end. If the scope keeps growing, the bill keeps growing too. Ask for an estimate and a cap before work starts.
Fixed price per project
You agree on what will be built and the price before the work starts. This is how I quote most website and web app builds.
Good for: new websites, redesigns, stores, landing pages and defined features.
Watch out for: vague scopes. A fixed price only protects you if the quote clearly lists what's included. If it says "website, 5 pages" and nothing else, ask more questions.
Monthly retainer
You pay a set amount each month for ongoing work, such as updates, backups, monitoring and a number of small changes.
Good for: businesses that need regular care and quick responses without negotiating each task.
Watch out for: paying for hours you don't use. A good retainer clearly says what's covered and what happens to unused time.
What changes a developer's rate
Two developers can charge very different amounts for what looks like the same job. These are usually the reasons why.
Experience and track record. Someone who's built and maintained dozens of live sites has already made the expensive mistakes. They work faster and catch problems early.
Skill set. Building a basic WordPress site is different from writing custom code, building a web app with a database or fixing a hacked site. Specialized skills cost more because fewer people can do them well.
Who they usually work with. Developers who mostly serve overseas clients often charge closer to international rates, even when they're based here.
What's included. Some rates cover only coding. Others include planning, design, testing, launch, training and support afterward.
Communication. A developer who replies clearly, writes things down and explains decisions saves you hours of confusion. That's worth something.
Hiring a freelancer vs an employee
Some businesses ask whether they should just hire a full-time web developer instead.
An employee makes sense if you have a constant stream of web work, like a product team building an app every day. For most small and medium businesses, the work comes in waves. A big build, then small updates, then a new feature months later.
With a freelancer, you pay for the work when you need it, without salaries, benefits, equipment or downtime. The trade-off is that a freelancer has other clients, so you need someone reliable who communicates well.
How to compare quotes fairly
When two quotes look very different, line them up side by side and check:
- Is the scope the same? Same pages, same features, same content help?
- Who owns what? Are the domain, hosting and code in your name?
- What happens after launch? Is there a support period? What do fixes cost later?
- Are there recurring fees? Theme licenses, plugin subscriptions and hosting markups add up.
- How will you communicate? Who will you actually talk to, and how fast do they reply?
Often the "expensive" quote turns out to include more, and the "cheap" one turns out to have costs hidden in year two.
Red flags to watch for
- A price given before they've asked anything about your business
- No written scope, just a total and a deadline
- Your domain or hosting registered in their name
- Full payment demanded up front for a big project
- No examples of real, live work you can click through
- Vague answers about who will actually do the work
How I charge
For new websites, stores, landing pages and web apps, I give a fixed price after understanding what you need. The quote lists what's included, what I need from you and the timeline. A downpayment starts the work, and the payment schedule is written in the quote.
For small fixes and changes, I'll tell you upfront what the job involves before I start, so you're never surprised by the bill.
For businesses that want ongoing care, I offer maintenance arrangements with clear inclusions. You can read more on my website maintenance page.
What you should expect from any developer
Whatever you pay, you should get:
- Clear communication and written decisions
- A site that works on phones, tablets and desktops
- Basic security, backups and updates handled
- Search basics like page titles, descriptions and a sitemap
- Full ownership of your domain, code and content
- A handover with logins and simple instructions
If a developer can't promise those basics, the rate doesn't matter.
Let's talk about your project
Rates only mean something next to a scope. Tell me what you need and I'll reply with a plan and a fixed price, so you can compare it fairly with anyone else.
