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How to properly charge clients when opencart is used?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 1:47 am
by naynay447
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???

Re: How to properly charge clients when opencart is used?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:08 am
by i2Paq
Whatever, as long as you donate 50% of the selling price to this project :laugh:

Re: How to properly charge clients when opencart is used?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:45 am
by naynay447
i2Paq wrote:Whatever, as long as you donate 50% of the selling price to this project :laugh:
I'm serious...can I even charge at all? Of course, I am customizing this...I am a programmer, but...it is so easy.

Re: How to properly charge clients when opencart is used?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 4:00 am
by i2Paq
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.

Re: How to properly charge clients when opencart is used?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:12 am
by naynay447
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.

Re: How to properly charge clients when opencart is used?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:21 am
by jonathands
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!)

Re: How to properly charge clients when opencart is used?

Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 8:47 am
by naynay447
...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).