Question
How can I find clients that pay $50-100/h for web/mobile development, while even with huge experience I always get $10-15/h?
I've been a web developer for the past 14 years and a mobile one for the past 5. My portfolio is very big (and it includes some big enterprise work) and I can work with almost any language, framework and platform.
Still even after all those years I never managed to charge what I think I am worth. All my client projects run around from US$ 10 to 15/h. Every time that I try to charge more I lose the contract because there is always someone that offers smaller rates.
Note that I am from Brazil and the rates I put are converted to USD, but still they are very small even in the BRL currency. I already got advice from people saying that my rates should be at least US$ 50/h and I also even read some questions in Clarity with the same advice for WordPress, Ruby on Rails and iOS development, which is what I do mostly.
But I still fail to charge what I want and what I find it is reasonable. Even recently I lost a deal with a big company because they preferred a cheaper option.
Points to consider: all of this from remote projects and remote clients (mostly from the US, Canada and some European countries). Is it because I'm from Brazil so international clients are indeed looking for cheaper rates when they are dealing overseas? How to definitely get reasonable rates?
Answer
The quote is derived from the 'efforts, time and value' matrix. Before you see what is the average quote in your country/region, see what value you are offering to your clients. If your service matches with a professional in the US, for quality, value and other such parameters, why the client would not pay you the same amount?
Now, the key is to explain the value that you bring to your client's vision, in layers. Make them understand how the quote of USD 15 per hour is different from USD 30 per hr and from USD 50 per hr. If the client wants the USD 40 per hour work for USD 15 per hour cost, he does not deserve you and you should not be working for such clients.
