I do not publish my rates. This is a deliberate choice, not a sales tactic. Here is why, after twelve years of running a solo studio.
The standard reason
The standard answer is “rates depend on scope.” True. A 5-page AI site and a custom 25-page WordPress build are different projects. Quote them differently.
The real reason
If I post a rate, I get clients who shop the rate. That is not the client I want. The client I want is one who has decided to hire me before they ask about price. The rate conversation is a downstream conversation, not the lead conversation.
What the rate conversation actually looks like
When a prospective client asks for a quote, I do a 30-minute scope call. I listen to what they want. I tell them what the project would cost, and what it would deliver. About 60% of prospects say yes on the spot. About 20% counter-offer. About 20% ghost.
That is a healthy funnel.
What happens when rates are posted
When rates are posted, the funnel changes. Now the prospect has already pre-qualified themselves against the number. The conversation becomes about the rate, not the work. I get clients who want the cheapest version of the project. That is not the client I want.
What I do instead
I publish the scope. Five pages, AI-assisted, two rounds of revisions, mobile-optimized, contact form, schema markup, search console setup, post-launch support: that is a project. Anyone who reads the scope can estimate what it costs at any studio. They do not need me to publish the number.
The honest pricing
For reference, in 2026, my pricing roughly looks like this:
- 5-page AI-assisted WordPress site: $1,500-$2,500
- 10-page custom site with content: $3,500-$5,500
- Affiliate review site setup: $2,500-$4,500
- Monthly maintenance: $150-$400/month
- SEO audit and remediation: $500-$1,500
But again — those numbers depend on the client, the scope, and whether we are starting from scratch or improving an existing site. The rate is the conversation, not the headline.