How to properly charge clients when opencart is used?

I am a web designer...Open cart almost seems like cheating, lol. How should I properly charge them when I use it to do their web sites???

Whatever, as long as you donate 50% of the selling price to this project

i2Paq wrote:Whatever, as long as you donate 50% of the selling price to this project

I'm serious...can I even charge at all? Of course, I am customizing this...I am a programmer, but...it is so easy.

Charge for you time / work and tell them that OpenCart is free.
They will find out anyhow and it will make you look a conman.

I think that is fantastic advise. I was planning on mentioning the free factor and that most will charge them x dollars, while the time I am saving will allow me to charge them significantly less money. I don't even think it will be an issue at all, actually. I was concerned with the DIY type of person, but even with this...most people will screw it up or just do not have time.

Do not go around charging the lowest price!!! research you competition first then make a competitive price based on both your work and the market value. two reasons:

opencart is great, but its not magic, you may eventually need and work on opencart for a client's specific need , then you are going to have a really hard time convincing him to pay a fair price.

may people perceive the product by it's value, if you drop your prieces too low on your , many people will regard your work as second class.

Also remember one thing is installing and hosting opencart (or any free software) , the other is consulting and personalization for a clients need, they are both genuine ways to work with opencart.


I work with both and I charge monthly for hosting and costumer support, I also charge a fixed price for a opencart theme exclusive for the store (without any change to the innerworks) and if my client has any specific need I quote those separatedly. I Always explain I use opensource software, the many advantages and the real concept of free software (the work is not free!)

...also a great point. Well...what percentage down from the competition? And aren't most developers using things like this?! Why program when you do not need to? I would imagine most web developers using these time savers to stay afloat (and from my experience, MOST web designers just can't program worth a flip).