The Power of Sprints: A Better Way to Price E-Commerce Projects at Easton Digital
You’ve got a brilliant idea for your e-commerce business, and you’re eager to bring it to life. But the thought of spiraling costs and endless hourly billing from agencies makes you pause. What if there was a better way to manage your project’s budget without sacrificing quality? At Easton Digital, we’ve got you covered with our unique “sprints” billing method. In this article, we’ll show you why sprints are a game-changer in e-commerce project pricing.
The Problem with Hourly Billing
Hourly billing is the norm in many agencies, but it’s far from ideal. It’s a billing method that doesn’t reflect the value or quality of work done. Worse, it encourages slower work for higher pay, leaving you, the client, uncertain about the final cost. As David Heinemeier Hansson, creator of Ruby on Rails, aptly puts it,
“Hourly billing is a terrible way to make money because it rewards inefficiency.”
What is a Sprint?
A sprint is a short, focused period of time during which a team works to complete specific tasks. Think of it as a mini project within a larger project, with its goals, deadlines, and budget. At Easton Digital, we’ve adopted sprints as our primary billing method to offer a more client-friendly approach.
Simple Explanation
Imagine you’re building a house. Instead of saying, “Let’s build a house,” and starting without a plan, you break it down into smaller parts like laying the foundation, building the walls, installing the roof, etc. Each of these smaller parts is like a sprint. You focus on one part at a time, finish it, and then move on to the next.
How Does It Work?
Steps to Start a Sprint
1. Define the Scope: This is where you list what tasks need to be done in this sprint. For example, “Install a new kitchen sink” or “Create a landing page for a new product.”
2. Set Clear Goals: Make sure everyone knows what success looks like for this sprint. Using the house example, a goal might be, “The foundation should be able to support a two-story building.”
3. Timeframe: Decide how long the sprint will last. This is usually a short period, like two weeks.
4. Flat Fee: Agree on a set price for the work in this sprint. This way, there are no surprises when the bill comes.
5. Get to Work: The team works to complete the tasks within the set timeframe.
6. Review: At the end of the sprint, you review what was done to make sure it meets the goals set at the beginning.
Why Use Sprints?
1. Predictable Costs: You agree on a flat fee upfront, so there are no unexpected costs.
2. Focused Work: With a clear scope and short timeframe, everyone is more focused and efficient.
3. Flexibility: If you need to make changes, you can easily adjust the scope for the next sprint.
4. Quick Results: Because sprints are short, you see results and progress quickly.
5. Reduced Administrative Overhead: Without the need to track hours, you save time on administrative tasks like invoice reviewing.
6. Aligned Incentives: Our team is incentivized to deliver quality work efficiently, as we’re paid for the outcome, not the hours spent.
Final Thoughts
Choosing sprints over hourly billing leads to more efficient work without sacrificing quality or incurring unexpected costs. It’s a win-win for both clients and agencies. So why stick to an outdated billing model? Experience the power of sprints with Easton Digital today!
Here is an example of a sprint proposal.
Sample Sprint for Easton Digital
Sprint Title: E-Commerce Giveaway and Tracking Setup
Timeframe:
– Start Date: [Insert Start Date]
– End Date: [Insert End Date]
– Duration: 2 Weeks
Scope:
1. Install Google Tag Manager (GTM)
– Set up GTM account
– Implement tracking codes on the website
– Configure basic tags and triggers
2. Create Landing Pages
– Design and develop [number] landing pages for [specific campaigns or products]
– Implement A/B testing for the landing pages
– Integrate with existing CRM or email marketing software
3. Install and Test New Funnels
– Identify key conversion points
– Set up new funnels in analytics software
– Conduct initial tests and gather data
4. Launch Giveaway
– Plan and set up the giveaway campaign
– Promote the giveaway through social media and email marketing
– Monitor engagement and participation
Price:
– Flat Fee: XXX
Deliverables:
– GTM properly installed and configured
– [Number] fully-functional landing pages
– New funnels installed and initial data gathered
– Successful launch of the giveaway campaign
Payment Terms:
– 100% upfront payment before the sprint starts
Communication and Support:
– Email Response Time: 48 hours during business hours
– Business Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
– Regular updates will be provided at the end of each task completion.
By agreeing to this sprint, both the client and Easton Digital commit to fulfilling their respective roles as outlined above.
Client Signature: ___________________________
Easton Digital Signature: ___________________________