Website management cost?

I design website with only HTML/CSS without any PHP backend control panel, or any CMS etc, so when I need to update clients' websites, I need to do so by manually editing the html document. Since I cannot provide a CMS for my clients, I'd have to impose a fee for managing their websites. Any suggestions on what method I should use?

1. Whether I should charge based on time ($xx.00/hour, $xx.00/month).

2. Or, if I should charge them per event of website updating.

The problems I found so far:

If I charge the clients using any of the two options, they, very likely, will pile up a mountain of updates one time so it would be cheaper and easier on their wallets. (For example, if I use method #2, they might gather a bunch of tedious tasks, and give it to me at one time; This makes it difficult for me since it will consume a lot of my time for a small sum of money)

However, if I use method #1, clients may feel insecure about how much time I am actually spending to update or make changes to the website.

Any ideas?

If I were you, I'd charge per hour. To help the 'tedious tasks' problem, work out some kind of chart with the client that so-and-so work will cost so-and-so per hour.

I haven't had a lot of experience managing other's websites, so it'd be hard to put a figure on. $10?

Hopefully, I'm being helpful.

of course you're helpful. A chart of prices is a great idea! The trick is listing the different types of tasks. There should be many.

Just remember, Updates make clients happy, Happy clients make more clients for the designer which makes a Happy designer.

I charge £50 per month average for unlimited content changes, any graphic changes run at £10 per change on top of the £50 per month. I have one website management contract ready to begin when the site is complete.

Hope that helps

change per hour, and set up blocks of time. for example:

$20/hour set in 15 minute blocks (comes to $5 very 15 minutes).
need to updates some links? takes 20 minutes? round up to $10 (20 -> 30 minutes of time)

Charge per hour, but be realistic with your time.

Any client of yours should already trust you enough to know they are not getting ripped off. You already have credibility in their eyes, do not ruin that trust!

like most people it seems, charge by the hour as well for maintenance, but i also charge a $50/month 'retainer' fee, which includes 2 hours of free work/month

that way if they dont need updates i still have something coming in

Charging per hour is best and appreciated most by clients. Make sure that you don't set a rate for life, but rather say this is my rate for the next three months and that may change depending on other projects. Your time is money and you want to make sure that if you're very busy a few months down the line that you are not stuck getting a lower hourly rate for an old project when your time could be spent on newer projects.

Charging per hour is best...but dont put it too high or your clients might just run off...