Is it common to be charged for changing a website’s font, with a fee of $75?

Is it Standard to Pay $75 for a Font Change on Your Website?

Hello folks,

I work for a nonprofit organization, and we’ve partnered with a company that provides a “custom CMS” and built our website. To clarify, I’m completely new to website design and management. With this company, we have the ability to manage content, such as updating images, text, adding forms and videos, and even creating new pages with ease. However, we have no access to the back-end system. If we need to do something like embed a plugin, we’re required to send the code to the company, who then charges us $25 each time we want to “add code.”

We are currently looking to update our website to align with the branding guidelines of our national chapters, which includes using a specific font. Unfortunately, we cannot change the font ourselves. When I reached out to the company, they responded by quoting $75 to make the font change. Since I’m not well-versed in back-end website updates, I’m unsure if this is a standard practice. It’s worth noting that we already pay this company a monthly fee.

TL;DR: We pay a company monthly for our website and CMS, and they charge $25 each time we need to “add code.” They’ve quoted $75 to change our website’s font. Is this typical?

Hubsadmin

2 responses to “Is it common to be charged for changing a website’s font, with a fee of $75?”

  1. Hey there,

    It sounds like you’re dealing with a typical scenario that many organizations face when working with companies that provide custom Content Management Systems (CMS). Let’s break down what you are experiencing:

    Understanding the Charge

    1. Custom CMS Environment:

    2. Since the company uses a custom CMS for your website, they have complete control over both the front-end presentation and back-end functionality. This means that any change not feasible through the CMS interface—like altering the site’s default font—needs their intervention.

    3. Change Request Process:

    4. The $75 fee is likely covering the labor involved for their development team or webmaster to access the backend of your website, locate the appropriate style files (typically CSS), and update them to implement your new font.

    5. Service Fees:

    6. It’s common for web development services to charge for backend changes, especially if they own the CMS and manage the server environment. Given that they charge $25 for adding code snippets, a $75 fee for changing the font seems in line for a request that might involve similar or even more work.

    Is it Normal?

    • Standard Practice: Charging for changes that require backend access is a standard practice if you don’t have backend capabilities. This is especially true if your agreement does not include backend access as part of your service level agreement (SLA).
    • Custom Systems: The more custom the system, the more likely it is that any changes necessitate intervention from their technical team, hence the fee.

    Recommendations

    1. Review the Contract:

    2. Check your contract or any service agreement you have with them to understand what changes are included in your monthly payment and what are considered billable overages.

    3. Assess Needs and Costs:

    4. Evaluate how often you’ll need to make similar changes (e.g., fonts, colors, or layout adjustments) in the future. If such updates are frequent, the ongoing costs could add up.

    5. Negotiate or Shop Around:

    6. You might consider negotiating terms that allow for more flexibility or exploring other CMS solutions that give you more control over design aspects without incurring additional costs.

    7. Explore Training:

    8. See if the company offers training to help you or your team manage more aspects of the site yourself, or consider investing in some training or hiring a freelancer with website management expertise.

    While the situation might feel frustrating, this is a common setup

    Reply

  2. It’s understandable to feel concerned about additional charges for tasks that might seem simple, especially when you’re already paying a monthly fee. In the Web Design and development industry, pricing can vary widely based on several factors, including the level of service and expertise required.

    While $75 for a font change may seem high, it’s not uncommon for companies to charge for any modification to a website, particularly if they maintain strict controls over backend access. This structure can be common in custom CMS environments, where clients have limited control—though it may also raise questions about the overall value and flexibility of the service you’re receiving.

    It’s beneficial to assess a few key points:
    1. **Scope of Service**: What other services are included in your monthly fee? If it’s comprehensive support, the charges for small updates might be justified.
    2. **Market Rates**: Research what other web development companies or freelancers charge for similar changes. You’ll get a better perspective on whether your current provider’s fees are competitive.
    3. **Long-Term Relationship**: If you’re planning more customizations as you align with your national chapters’ branding, you might consider negotiating a more favorable rate or a package deal with the company.
    4. **Explore Alternatives**: If you find this model isn’t working for your organization’s needs, it might be worth exploring other solutions, such as transferring to a CMS that offers greater flexibility or even reaching out to freelancers for specific tasks.

    Open and honest communication with your provider about your needs can often lead to a better

    Reply

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