There is no market average worth copying
A published average hides the inputs, and the inputs are the answer. Two sites that look alike can cost different amounts to keep.
The inputs
sites the count you maintain
cadence 7 or 14 days, stated in days
change appetite changes reviewed and shipped per cycle
source coverage how many sources are connected
platform cost hosting, licences, tooling for the workspace
overhead reporting and the client conversation
Two filled calculations
One site, 14 day cadence, one and a half changes per cycle, $95 an hour.
cycles per month 2.2
read 2.2 x 0.33 h = 0.73 h
decide 2.2 x 0.25 h = 0.55 h
ship 2.2 x 1.5 x 0.75 h = 2.48 h
report = 0.50 h
total = 4.26 h
price 4.26 x $95 = $404.70
platform, Pro for the owner = $99.00
rounded = $505 a month
Six sites, 14 day cadence, one change per cycle, a shared monthly report.
cycles per month 2.2
read 6 x 2.2 x 0.33 h = 4.36 h
decide 6 x 2.2 x 0.25 h = 3.30 h
ship 6 x 2.2 x 1.0 x 0.75 = 9.90 h
report, all six = 1.50 h
total = 19.06 h
price 19.06 x $95 = $1,810.70
platform, six sites on Pro = $99.00
rounded = $1,910 a month
What moves the number fastest
- Change appetite. Two shipped changes per cycle doubles the shipping hours.
- Missing sources. Reconnecting one costs hours in the first cycle.
- Site count. The per-site work is small, and the shared report is not.
Acceptance: the price is defensible when
- hours come from your own last three months
- the cadence in the price matches the plan
- platform cost is a visible line
- the excluded work is quoted separately
- a review trigger exists for when the appetite grows
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Every month overruns | Change appetite grew | Trigger the review clause |
| The client compares to a cheaper quote | The cheaper quote has no cadence | Show the cycle counts side by side |
| One site takes twice as long | A missing source, or no repository | Price the access gap into onboarding |
| The invoice is contested | Hours were never explained | Send the calculation with the invoice |
| Margin falls over a year | Rates were never raised | Add a yearly review to the plan |
Limits
These hours are a model. Track one cycle honestly, then replace every estimate with your own numbers.
Platform cost is separate from your time. A price that swallows the tools is a price you will resent by the third month.