How to estimate a script

[biztiger]

Hi,

I think it is very tough for the script seller(programmer) to estimate any script he developed. Also it is a problem to script buyer to verify the price of the script. If you look into site like getafreelancer.com or elance.com, buyer can set a range and programmer bid accordingly. Additionally there is a option to set your bid according to the other bidders bid. But, when you are using forums for this, it is very hard to estimate.

Please help me. Explain the methods you apply for this.

Regards
BizTiger

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[bbrez1]

What I usually do when selling a script to multiple persons (or one) is that I search for any similar scripts that might be out available and then check and compare them and usually set a price similar to them, plus I lower my price for about 10%. OR you can always think of an expensive price and then lower it (monthly or weekly) if you don't sell anything.

Hope u know what I mean

 

[Keral_Patel]

I don't think there is a special way to price a script as there are many factors.

- Is your script rare?
- Is there lots of demand for it?
- Are there any others who are selling similar script?
- What kind of support you are going to provide after it is sold?
- How complex that script is and what are the chances someone else will make one similar to yours?
- How much marketing effort it would need to market it properly?
- Does it has complex things that most of the users keep on asking you?

There are many other things too but maybe you will learn more and more as years pass by.

 

[nielsencl]

I think you are talking about creating a script for someone, rather than making one to sell to many people?

Yes, that is difficult, and it is the same for web designers and SEO consultants like me. But this is only when you are new and getting started. I tell people to look at what other companies charge for the same kind of service and then use that as a guide. You may charge the same or less, but once you get some experience you can raise your prices. If you have lots of work, the way to manage it is to raise your prices, not work all night long.

To estimate a project is very hard to those that are new. The one thing you can count on is that a project is going to take you at least 1.5 times longer than you think. So if you estimate a script is going to take you 10 hours and tell the customer that it will take 10 hours, you cannot charge them more than 10 hours of time, even if it takes you 20 hours. Even if the customer pays you, they will not be happy...!!! So you need to tell the customer it will take 15 hours, OR tell them it will take between 10 hours and 20 hours. Then charge them for the time it took you. If you charge them between 10-20 hours, they will be satisfied and maybe happy. If you can get the work done more quickly and only charge them for 8-9 hours, they will be very happy. You need to be paid for your work, but the more happy you can make the customer, the more work you wil get...!!!

When you are starting out, you are going to make some mistakes and make less money than you should. But if you learn what you are doing wrong, you can stop losing money and make much more. And you and your customer can both be very happy, which I think is the best way to do business.

I hope this helps.