got my first potential web design client

Since it 's your first client, I think it 's important for you not to get stuck with the "what 's the biggest amount of $$ I can earn" mentality. Decide on a reasonable amount that will make you happy and go for it. Also, make sure to provide added value as it 's already been mentioned.

What 's important in your case is to get our first job successfully completed, because then you 'll have two things:

  • Portfolio which you can use to sell your services to other clients

  • Experience

Plus, you can always upsell to this client in the future ;)
^^Yes, this...perfect advice.
 
This job is another accident waiting to happen. In the other thread you were ready to leave IM because a customer was mad and threatened to report you. You had better watch it before the cops end up at your door. If they get enough complaints that you didn't refund for sub par work, you are going to be labeled a fraud. You have no idea what you are doing, and should not be taking people's money until you know the work you offering inside and out.
Then how am I going to learn if I dont start something? yeah, I might mess up, but I dont know of any other way to learn.
 
Then how am I going to learn if I dont start something? yeah, I might mess up, but I dont know of any other way to learn.
Everyone has made business mistakes at one time or another. There is a big difference between that and going into business not knowing what you are doing. You can't keep doing experiments with people's money. There is already someone mad at you because you didn't refund. If that list keeps growing, you are going to get arrested. I have seen it happen.
 
It seems to me you have a bigger problem than rudimentary css skills (although thats a problem): lack of business acumen. The dentist obviously wont have a clue what hes paying for - you could either try to rip him off, or deal fairly and look to build a longer commercial relationship (which can be more lucrative than hit & run).
Im not just talking about price, either, but value as others have written above.
However, you dont seem to know what you can bring to the table either - so I feel sorry for the guy. Caveat emptor, however.
You appear to know little about sales (probably the single most important skill in life, let alone business) - i mean, to establish the offer, handle negotiation, set & manage expectations, contracts etc etc
There's only one way to learn that: by doing
Either work in somebodies business to get the experience - or learn on your own dime -- and accept the consequences for your mistakes

If your "brilliant" you can fly by the seat of your pants to close and complete (closing to me is when the $ gets in your bank - not when they say yes or sign)
That's not coming through for me here im afraid. Dont worry - very few people are and im not either.

Take this as constructive criticism - as I dont know you from Adam. I'd suggest you look for someone in your area to mentor you a bit on sales/project such as an owner of a "small business" if you want to make a success of a local business like this. Your reputation is all in this case. Try a young Rotary or business group as your obviously not a Freemason :-)
 
I think this line is wrong "your website looks so outdated, I would be kind of embarrassed to show this site to my clients. I will help you look more modern". If you wrote this in every mail, then i am surprised that you even got 1 potential client.

You broke a rule here, you just make the owner feel retarded. When a website looks outdated, show them EXACTLY what this means ( examples, mockups and so on) , don't use this kind of language. Hope you got my point.
 
I think this line is wrong "your website looks so outdated, I would be kind of embarrassed to show this site to my clients. I will help you look more modern". If you wrote this in every mail, then i am surprised that you even got 1 potential client.

You broke a rule here, you just make the owner feel retarded. When a website looks outdated, show them EXACTLY what this means ( examples, mockups and so on) , don't use this kind of language. Hope you got my point.
I cringed when I read what he sent out in email.
 
I had quite a bit to say about this situation, but Jazzc summed it all up. Thats the best advice in regards to this case.

ps: If you can't build the site, outsource it. I have some people I outsource my stuff to when I need to do other stuff, like when I have an exam to write.
 
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