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Ask DN: Should you ask for budget info in a contact form?

8 years ago from , Designer at Mindbox Studios

I work as a designer for a small web studio and we are trying to decide whether to implement a "what is your budget" input in our contact form. Any insight into why this would be a good/bad idea?

5 comments

  • Adam MartinAdam Martin, 8 years ago

    Has pros and cons. If you include a dropdown with a minimum option (Ex: $5K-$10K; $10K-$20K, $20K+), it weeds out time-wasting communications with those that can't afford you (in the example, less than $5K). However, if you charge by value and not time, you can't truly know the value without getting an idea of scope, deliverables and what a conversion is worth to the client..

    3 points
    • Maurice CherryMaurice Cherry, 8 years ago

      Agreed. There's pros and cons here. On a contact form, I wouldn't put it. But we have an online RFP form, and we do include a dropdown for budget there.

      1 point
  • Bryce HowitsonBryce Howitson, 8 years ago

    I'm with Adam on this in that there are pros and cons to both (like most everything in life). I personally believe that starting with a budget is the worst way to begin a web endeavor. The problem is that your client probably has no idea what things should cost but getting it wrong sours the relationship for both parties.

    I would suggest a dropdown with categories of work and a starting cost. For example: (Insert your own descriptions and costs)

    1. Template based brochure site - starting at $3k
    2. Custom designed brochure site - starting at $10k
    3. Basic e-commerce - staring at $18k
    4. Bespoke web app - Starting at $80k

    The goal is to help educate the client about what they "should" spend instead of asking them to pick a number out of a hat. I kind of like how Happy Cog does it with a base amount listed but without asking for anthing more

    Anyway this topic is near and dear to my heart as I'm in the early stages of writing a book about it. So I'd be really interested to hear what other people have to say.

    2 points
    • Luke ModerwellLuke Moderwell, 8 years ago

      Thanks for the input, Bryce. Would be very interested to read your book and good luck with the writing!

      0 points
      • Bryce HowitsonBryce Howitson, 8 years ago

        I'll be happy to share it here when the book is ready. I'm learning that the writing isn't the hard part, it's being disciplined to keep writing that takes some work :)

        0 points