At Iron Code Studio, I charge for an initial consultation. To be more specific, the current policy is there is no charge for the initial fifteen minutes but anything beyond that time is billed at my hourly consulting rate.
Why No Free Consultation?
I recognize many groups extend an invitation for a free consultation with the goal of converting to a paying client. I think this is reasonable and often effective, however at Iron Code Studio I do not use this tactic for a number of reasons.
Value Provided
I strive to provide value from the onset of a conversation. Rarely do the first fifteen minutes of a call go by without me providing some insight or an actionable item. Generally, on an initial call, I identify the possible options, evaluate them, and make recommendations for the best course of action.
Focus
I find that most problems can be defined in under fifteen minutes. If it takes more than that to explain, the problem is most likely not properly defined. I’m happy to assist clients with better defining their problems. Often properly defining the problem reveals a solution. At the very least, clearly defining the problem allows you to move forward, either with me or another developer.
Avoid Inflated Project Costs
The cost of free consultations are bundled into the price of all projects (e.g. we need to add 2% to all project costs to cover our initial consultation time). I prefer to avoid this general markup and instead charge specifically for the services I provide.
Solutions not Sales
During the initial consultation I like to focus on how to solve your problem, not how to convert you into a client. I’ve had phone calls in which I’ve been able to direct the client to a solution they can then execute themselves. If you can solve your own problem, I want to give you that option.
I’d Love to Hear About Your Problem or Project
I’d love to hear about your problem and help you solve it. My areas of focus include WordPress development with specialization in the Genesis framework, front-end development with specialization in the Bootstrap Framework, and general web development. My typical clients are companies with high traffic sites and agencies who need development assistance.