In the world of web design, there are two basic ways most freelance web designers and firms charge: per hour or per project. As the CEO of a web design firm, I work with both clients and freelance contractors. So I see this tug of war at both ends. When a new client approaches us for a project, their first question is usually "how much is it going to cost?". We normally charge our clients on a per project basis. However, I often come across clients who insist on knowing the per hour pricing. Somehow, they feel better when they hear a small hourly rate. These are usually the bargain hunters who often go with the freelance web developer or offshore web design firms who quote a ridiculously low hourly rate. I have heard of rates as low as $5 per hour. The part of the information that is missing here is the number of hours it would take to complete the work. Clients will often sign on with these designers thinking they’ll save money, until that $20/hour web designer takes five times longer to do everything than the designer charging $60/hour and the quality is also compromised.