How to Price Your Freelance Services on PeoplePerHour in 2025 (Without Underselling Yourself)

Pricing is not just a number, it is positioning. The right price signals expertise, protects your time, and helps you win the right projects. In 2025, buyers on PeoplePerHour want clarity, outcomes, and low friction. Below is a practical guide to help you set confident prices that reflect your value without scaring away good clients.

Start with your numbers, then layer on value

Before you pick a pricing model, lock in your minimums. You cannot price confidently if you do not know your floor. Add up your monthly business costs (software, equipment, insurance, office, taxes, training), set your target monthly income after those costs, and be honest about billable hours (time you can sell, not total time at your desk). A simple baseline formula keeps you grounded: Target monthly income + monthly business costs, divided by realistic billable hours = baseline hourly rate. For example, if you aim for £4,000 net and spend £600 on business costs, you need £4,600. Divide that by 80 billable hours and your baseline is £57.50 per hour. Keep that figure in your pocket; you will use it to sense check every quote.

Choose the right model for the job

Different projects call for different pricing models, and the trick is to match the model to how the client perceives value. Hourly or day rates are great for open ended tasks and consulting. They are easy to start and flexible when scope might shift, but they tie income to time and can invite micro management. If you publish a day rate, make seven hours billable to protect breaks and admin. Fixed price per deliverable suits defined outputs like a logo, a landing page, or an audit. You get clear upfront value and it is easier to upsell add ons, but scope control must be tight, so document what is and is not included. Retainers shine for ongoing work such as content, social media, maintenance, or CRO. They give predictable revenue and deeper relationships, though they need careful capacity planning. Link retainers to outcomes or service levels, not hours. Finally, value based pricing works when your contribution directly influences revenue, conversions, or cost savings. It can be the most profitable approach, but it requires discovery, trust, and the ability to state business impact and price as a fraction of that impact.

Turn your services into easy to buy packages

Packages reduce haggling and lift average order value because the buyer can see exactly what they get. A simple three tier structure works well. A Starter option for new businesses includes one core deliverable, a short strategy call, and one revision. Price it at your baseline plus roughly 20 percent. A Standard option becomes your best seller with one to two deliverables, messaging polish, two revisions, and a five day turnaround at baseline plus about 40 percent. A Premium option layers on everything from Standard plus extra concepts, priority support, video walkthroughs, brand guidelines, and a 48 hour turnaround. Premium typically sits at baseline plus 80 to 120 percent. Present all three side by side so clients can self select.

Make high margin extras explicit

Customisation is profitable when you spell it out. Offer rush delivery at 25 to 75 percent of the base price, extra revision rounds as a fixed add on (for example £60 per round up to 500 words), source or layered files as a fixed add on, content upload or implementation priced per item, an extended support window such as 30 days post delivery, and a bookable strategy session of 60 to 90 minutes at your day rate pro rata. Listing these add ons openly makes upselling natural and reduces awkward money chats later.

Control scope and revisions so profits stay intact

Clarity beats conflict. Put your inclusions in writing: format, length, number of concepts, pages, or channels. Name your exclusions too, for example copywriting not included, stock images not included, or translation not included. Define exactly what counts as a revision and how many are included. For extra change requests, set a default, such as “anything beyond scope is quoted at £X per hour or £Y per item and approved in writing before work continues.” This protects your margin without sounding defensive.

Structure payments to reduce risk

PeoplePerHour gives you milestones for a reason: use them. For fixed price projects, take a 30 to 50 percent deposit upfront. Break large projects into milestones such as research and outline, first draft or first concept, and final delivery. For bigger retainers, invoice at the start of the month with a 30 day term. Clients feel safeguarded and you keep cash flow predictable.

Use price anchors that set expectations

Most buyers choose the middle of three options, so design your packages accordingly. Use round numbers for anchors and offer a small pay in full saving to encourage commitment. For example, “Starter £350, Standard £650, Premium £1,200.” The figures are tidy, the value is clear, and your Standard becomes the obvious choice.

Raise your rates without losing loyal clients

Rate rises do not need to be awkward if you give notice, offer continuity, and explain added value. Two templates you can adapt right now: Template for existing clients: “From 1 February 2025 my Standard Package will be £750. This reflects increased demand and the added value I now include, faster turnaround, improved briefs, and a 30 day post delivery support window. If you would like to lock in your current rate for the next 60 days, I am happy to set up a two month retainer at £600 per project.” Template for retainers: “From your March cycle the retainer will adjust to £1,200 per month. This includes an extra content slot each week, quarterly strategy reviews, and priority response within 24 hours. If you prefer, we can scale the scope to keep the current fee.” Clear, friendly, and focused on outcomes.

Handle price objections with calm, concise replies

When a client asks, “Can you do it for less?”, stay warm and firm. If the budget is tight, try: “Thanks for sharing your budget. To meet £X I recommend the Starter option, it covers A and B and keeps quality high. Shall I send that now?” If they compare you to cheaper offers, use: “Totally understand. My pricing reflects senior experience, a proven process, and post delivery support, which reduces your risk and revision time. If speed and reliability matter most, I am a strong fit.” If they push for extra revisions, say: “Happy to help. Your package includes two rounds, I can add another for £60 and deliver tomorrow. Shall I include that as an add on?” These responses protect scope and keep momentum.

Let social proof do the heavy lifting

On your PeoplePerHour profile and in your Offers, showcase measurable outcomes and client quotes. Lead with results rather than activities. For example, “Increased landing page conversions from 2.1 percent to 4.3 percent in 30 days” says far more than “Built a landing page.” Proof justifies premium pricing and reduces negotiation.

Set international friendly prices and mind VAT

If you work with global buyers, display prices in GBP and add an optional USD guide. If you are VAT registered, make it crystal clear whether your prices are inclusive or exclusive and explain how VAT applies for overseas clients under current rules. Transparency avoids checkout surprises and last minute hesitation.

Quick reference pricing calculators

Use these mini formulas to sense check your quotes before you hit Send. Fixed price baseline: estimated hours x baseline hourly x 1.3 buffer for meetings, admin, and revisions. Rush fee: fixed price x 1.5 when turnaround is under 48 hours. Retainer: average monthly scope at fixed price, minus 10 percent loyalty saving, with a minimum three month term. Value based floor: 10 to 20 percent of measured business impact, for example expected monthly uplift times three months. You do not need to advertise these calculations, but use them internally to keep quotes consistent.

Make PeoplePerHour work for your pricing

Turn your strategy into action. Create Offers for your three packages so buyers can purchase instantly. Use brief questions to lock down scope, for example “What does success look like in numbers?” Set delivery windows you can meet every time, then sell faster turnaround as a paid add on. Keep your portfolio current with results led captions and before and after visuals. The smoother the path to purchase, the less you negotiate on price.

Pricing mistakes to avoid in 2025

A few traps are worth dodging. Starting too low to win work and planning to raise later is harder than it sounds. Hiding key terms creates friction when it matters most. Charging only by the hour for deep expertise often underprices the true value. Unlimited revisions may look generous, but they quietly erode margin. And almost everyone underestimates project management time, so add a realistic buffer.

A seven point pricing check before you send a quote

Run through this quick list to stay sharp: 1) The scope and exclusions are unambiguous. 2) The timeline and milestones are stated. 3) The number of revisions is capped. 4) The payment structure is clear, deposit or milestones. 5) The offer includes at least one add on. 6) The proposal lists outcomes, not only tasks. 7) The tone is warm, confident, and brief. If all seven are in place, you are ready.

Ready to price with confidence

Set a fair floor, package your value, and let your PeoplePerHour profile do the heavy lifting with clear offers, strong proof, and fast communication. If you want help packaging or copywriting your Offers, browse top rated freelancers on PeoplePerHour and invest in a profile refresh that pays for itself within your next few projects.Thinking