Don’t be cheap! Don’t accept cheap!

In this article, we’ll talk about website design pricing, why you shouldn’t undervalue your work, and how to price your services with confidence.

And here’s the important part: When I say “don’t be cheap”, I don’t just mean don’t underprice your projects. I mean you yourself shouldn’t be cheap.

What this article is really about is how to see your own value, how to respect the work you do, and why you need to resist the temptation of entering the market just by offering lower prices.

The core of success in web design—or any profession, really—is valuing your skills, your personality, and your time. So stick with me until the end of this article.

What Does “Not Being Cheap” Really Mean?

When I say “don’t be cheap,” I’m not only talking about pricing your projects higher. It goes much deeper than that. It means you must value yourself—your experience, your skills, the time you invest, and even the way you approach projects.

Because when you treat yourself as cheap, everyone else will do the same—without even thinking twice.

Let me give you a simple example.
Imagine you’re sitting in a room and two people walk in: Cristiano Ronaldo, and a local school football coach from a remote village. Naturally, everyone gathers around Ronaldo—taking photos, asking questions, listening carefully. Why? Because he’s “expensive.”

Not just because of his salary, but because he’s valuable. He has experience. Every word he says carries weight. People can sense from a distance that he has something worth learning.

A Real Business Example

Let me bring this closer to the real business world.
At one of the recent business events we had in Dubai, Brian Etemad walked into the hall. If you don’t know him, search his name on Instagram—he’s one of the most successful Iranian entrepreneurs, active in the UAE and several other countries.

The moment he entered, some of the top business figures from Iran and Dubai stood up and walked toward him. Why? Because Brian Etemad is an expensive person. His presence has value. His experience, mindset, and perspective on business matter.

Everyone wanted to learn from him. And this is exactly the level of perceived value you should aim for in your web design journey.

Your portfolio, resume, professional behavior, and pricing should all communicate one clear message:
“I’m not cheap.”

My Own Journey

The Reza Rad of today is not the same Reza Rad from 2010. Back then, I was building websites with shaky hands and charging very little. But today? If someone offers me a web design project under 10, 15, or even 20 thousand dirhams, I simply don’t accept it.

Why? Because I know how much I’ve learned, how many projects I’ve completed, and how much experience I’ve gained over the years. That’s value.

Here’s the key point: If you’re not professional, you can’t charge high prices.
But if you are professional and still present yourself as cheap, you’re betraying yourself.

From now on, don’t just chase projects—focus on building value.

The Professional Growth Path in Web Design

Nothing meaningful happens overnight. If you want to grow financially in web design and attract high-quality clients, being good at design alone is not enough.

Here are a few critical steps you need to follow to gradually raise your prices and income.

Start with Small (Even Free) Projects

If you’re a beginner, you don’t need to chase $5,000 or $20,000 projects right away. You might need to work for free or charge very little at first—but not forever.

The goal is to build experience, create portfolio pieces, and gain real-world practice. I personally started with projects worth around $20 back in 2009.

Low-paying projects at the beginning are stepping stones—not your destination.

Build a Strong Portfolio

Your portfolio is a collection of websites you’ve designed. Without it, no serious client will trust you.

You can build your portfolio through personal projects, free work, or jobs for friends and acquaintances. Over time, it becomes your credibility.

Quality matters more than quantity. Three strong, professional projects are far better than ten average ones. Present them neatly on a page or in a well-designed PDF—and use them smartly.

Don’t Chase Clients—Attract Them

Your mindset should be:
“Clients should come to me.”

How? Through Instagram and social media, content creation, showcasing your projects, freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or local platforms, and—most importantly—personal branding.

When clients see consistent, professional work and positive feedback, they don’t just find you—they want to work with you.

Learn and Practice at the Same Time

Education alone isn’t enough. Experience alone isn’t enough either. You need both.

Learn new techniques and trends, then immediately apply them in real projects. This combination accelerates your growth faster than most people.

Many people either keep learning without doing, or keep doing without learning. If you do both, you’ll quickly get ahead of the crowd.

Go Deeper, Not Just Broader

Instead of trying to do everything—web design, SEO, content creation, ads—focus on one niche and become great at it.

For example:

• WooCommerce store design
• High-converting landing pages
• Websites for doctors or consultants

Specialization increases your value—and your income.

Update Your Pricing

Many designers still charge old rates simply because they lack confidence. If you’ve learned more and gained experience, it’s time to revise your prices.

Create a simple pricing table:

• What service do you offer?
• How much time does it take?
• What value does it deliver?
• What price feels fair for both you and the client?

Add Value Instead of Giving Discounts

Instead of lowering your price, offer something extra. For example: “I’ll include a free website management training session,” or “I’ll install a premium theme for free.” This way, you stay premium while the client feels they’re getting more.

Work with Stronger People

Collaborating with serious brands or high-level individuals boosts your credibility fast. Their names in your portfolio raise your perceived value—and your confidence in pricing.

Say Your Price with Confidence

Sometimes projects fail not because the client can’t pay—but because you hesitate. Say it clearly and confidently: “The cost of this project is $2,500, including design, setup, training, and one month of support.” Confidence alone closes many deals.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, you already know that web design isn’t just about tools and software. It’s a mindset game.

Cheap work attracts cheap clients. If you don’t take yourself seriously, no one else will. Being “expensive” comes from knowledge, experience, and confidence—not just a number. If you’re just starting, that’s perfectly fine. Begin with small or free projects—but know they’re steps, not ceilings.

The biggest mistake is staying at the beginner level out of fear. Everyone starts somewhere. What matters is movement, growth, and valuing yourself more every step of the way.

Learn consistently. Practice constantly. Build strong portfolios. Connect with stronger people.
And instead of chasing clients—become someone clients chase.

Don’t be cheap. Be professional. Grow.

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