Web + Wins #14 To Price or Not to Price
This Week's Update
My big news is out 🤍. I'm expecting my first baby this summer!
I started this newsletter to share more of the behind-the-scenes of building Snaply Sites, but I've always wrestled with where the line is between personal and private. I'm going to keep some things private. But I've felt pulled to share more of the real stuff lately. A lot of us are just hanging in there right now. And if something I'm going through resonates or helps even one person, I'll call that a win.
Getting here has been a longer road than most people know. Something I may share more about another time, in a different format. But right now I'm around the corner from the biggest change of my life, having just gone all-in on my business, and feeling every emotion at once. Excited, anxious, grateful, terrified. All of it.
Going all in on my business and leaving the security of a full-time job wasn’t an overnight decision. It was years in the making with lots of tradeoffs, roadblocks, and setbacks along the way.
Here are some of those thoughts that led me here:
I'd been riding the fence too long -- doing client work before and after my day job, trying to build something in the margins. My growth was stalled, and I knew something had to give.
I loved my W2 job, but there was no maternity leave. That forced me to get clear on how I was going to reach my goal of financial freedom and flexibility and what that actually looked like for me long-term.
Before quitting, I took a full week off to see what it would feel like to only focus on Snaply Sites. That week was eye-opening in the best way.
I wasn’t ready financially to take the jump. I had originally planned on fully replacing my day job salary with my side business, but I knew I needed time to ramp things up ahead of delivery.
I realized I'm making a real difference. Helping business owners show up better online so they can focus on what they do best -- that's the work I want to be doing, and I wanted more of it.
Here's what I'm doing right now to set myself up:
Leaning on my business-owner mom friends — I'm lucky to have friendships with women running multi-six-figure businesses with babies at home.
Getting advice from the dads in my network about juggling parenthood and business. I'm so grateful to have the most supportive partner by my side through all of this. He's going to be an amazing dad.
Onboarding an awesome virtual assistant to make sure clients are in good hands while I take time to settle into our new normal
Automating as much as I can on the back end of the business
Wrapping up some really exciting projects
Setting up conversations and bookings for September so I come back with momentum
I'm beyond excited for this next chapter. I know it's going to be challenging and beautiful and messy all at the same time. And I'll be sharing what I can along the way.
PS - I plan to keep the newsletter going strong, and I’m prepping a really fun newsletter takeover for August. Tips around SEO and AI search from an expert and good friend — stay tuned 👀
Get a Web Win: To Price or Not to Price
This one keeps coming up on my consult calls lately: should you list your prices on your website?
Sorry to give an “it depends” answer, but it does…
Here's how I think about it:
The case for listing your prices:
It helps potential clients self-qualify before they ever reach out. If your starting price is $2,500 and someone has a $500 budget, you've both saved time.
It sets clear expectations upfront and helps people plan. When your packages are well-defined, pricing gives them something to think about before they get on a call with you, which actually makes that conversation more productive.
It reduces the "I just want a ballpark" email that goes nowhere.
The case for keeping prices off:
Every project is different, and a number on a page can scare someone off before you've had a chance to understand what they actually need, or work something out that fits their situation.
Premium or custom service businesses often benefit from a conversation first. The value becomes clearer when you've talked through the scope.
Competitors can see exactly where you're positioned and undercut you.
My suggestion:
If you're just starting out, take every single sales call you can get. You need the reps, the conversations, and the feedback more than you need a filtered lead list. Let people reach out.
But if your phone is ringing off the hook with mismatched leads (that's actually a great problem to have), then that’s your sign to add a qualifier. Something as simple as "our packages start at $X" or "minimum engagement fee starts at $X" does the job without locking you into a rigid number. It filters out the people who were never going to say yes anyway, without closing the door on everyone else.
Remember, your website isn't set in stone. It's fluid. You can always add, adjust, or remove pricing as your business evolves. Start where you are and iterate.
Convo Corner: April Poynter
I met April after a panel I spoke on at the Tailwind Tech Summit, and when we sat down for a virtual coffee chat shortly after, we realized we were both stepping into brand new seasons at the same time. Me, going full-time on Snaply and into first-time parenthood. April, walking away from 20+ years in HR and executive leadership to bet on herself.
We were both mid-leap, and it was a friendship I needed.
April is an HR Consultant with TriNet, founder of Your Work Bestie (bridging the gap between leadership and frontline teams) and Blushing Phoenix (a coaching community for chronic blushers and people with social anxiety), a two-time published author, and host of the Rise Up podcast.
April talks about real life and the human experience beyond our titles, which is why I love following her. She's always open to new connections.
Get in touch with April on LinkedIn and grab a coffee chat or learn more about her here: aprilpoynter.com
Let's Talk
I’m currently booking discovery calls for projects starting on September 1st. If you’re thinking about revamping your site in time for Q4, get in touch and let's chat!
