Should you list your prices? This is such a common question and one I’ve asked myself so many times myself. What I’ve learned is that there really isn’t a yes or no answer to this question. Utlimately, it comes down to what will work best for you and your business and what your target market is looking for/expecting. There really is no right or wrong answer so if you are trying to get me to tell you what to do, unfortunately this is not the place. However, I will tell you some pros & cons as to why you should list your prices vs not along with what I’ve found works best for me personally.

Yes, list your prices!

The great thing about listing your prices comes down to transparency. You are clear about how much you charge & even break down the details of your packages. This helps naturally screen clients that can’t afford your services & limit inquiries that don’t quite fit your ideal client. That can help save a lot of time. 

Also, just from a potential client perspective, it helps them fully understand what to expect & what is expected from them. 

I tend to feel that if you’re not as confident talking about prices & cost, listing your prices can realy help take away the stress & potential anxiety of having a price discussion because the information is already out there.

Nope, don’t list your prices!

The three main reasons & business types that I see that don’t list their prices. Either because they’re high end, luxury brands, offer custom quotes or have really good sales systems in place. 

Sometimes you just can’t list your prices because they are custom jobs. As a designer, there are times when the price is based on the scope of work. I don’t want to give a false price list if that can change.

Another great reason to not list your prices is if you have a really good sales system in place or are just a straight up baller salesperson yourself. Some people are great at getting on consult calls and articulating their value and converting a sale. Not listing your prices allows you the chance to have a conversation with a potential customer, dig deep, learn more & then sell yourself.

On the con side, you may still receive a lot of unqualified clients just asking for the same question over and over again. Which can take up a lot of time.

Is there a third option? 

Hell yes!! There’s always a third option. Another option listing a starting at price. Or adding a more indepth inquiry form that lists their budget and asks them to choose where they are at so you know that information right away and gives them a bit of insight as to what it may potentially cost them.

Both of which provide some pricing information to your ideal clients without going into a ton of detail (which is perfect if your pricing is based on the scope of work). This can also help limit the amount of inquires because it sets a precedent of what to expect  but still gives the opportunity for those interested enough to work with you to get in touch. 

My personal choices / experiences

As a designer, I have certain preset packages but also the scope of work on each project can vary that it’s important for me to have those conversations with potential clients to see what they need.

Starting prices & inquire forms are what I choose to do for my design services and have been what not only works best for my but what I feel confident with. I also do currently have a basic price & packages list so I can be crystal clear on my offers and share that to any potential clients that are interested.

For me, I need something more concrete because it lessens any confusion to my clients for what they’re getting and what the project costs will be. I want them to be as confident with their investment as possible. I think it’s easier for me to break things down, speak to the value & provide the information they need. The inquiry forms & starting at prices save me time from potential clients who simply may not be able to afford my services at this time.

Another thing, right now I have a wide range of clients from overflow agency work to full design projects to updates & maintenance work. My services are clear in terms of the main type of work I’m offering but also allows for some flexibility.

So what should you do? Should you list your prices or not? Again, I think you need to eliminate the word ‘should’ and focus on what works for your business & what makes you feel the most confident. I’ve seen successful businesses that choose to list their prices and others that don’t. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer. If you really aren’t sure, take a couple weeks to experiment and see how it feels, the type of response you get from potential clients & ultimately make the decision that makes the most sense for you!

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