"How much should I charge?"
It's the question everyone asks. And it's the wrong question.
The right question: How much value does this create for the client?
The Value Equation
A chatbot that handles 500 support inquiries per month. Previously required 2 hours of staff time per day at $20/hour. That's $1,200/month in labor costs.
If you charge $500/month, the client saves $700. Easy decision.
If you charge $200/month, you're leaving money on the table.
If you charge $1,500/month, they'll hesitate—unless you can show additional value beyond labor savings.
Start with the value. Work backward to the price.
Three Models That Work
Model 1: Setup + Retainer
Most common. Charge $500-$5,000 upfront for setup and training. Then $200-$1,000/month for maintenance, optimization, and support.
Good for: Agencies and consultants. Clients who want ongoing service. Custom implementations.
Model 2: Productized Packages
Fixed prices. Clear tiers. No negotiation.
Starter: $299/month. 1 chatbot, 1,000 messages, email support.
Growth: $599/month. 3 chatbots, 5,000 messages, priority support.
Scale: $1,499/month. Unlimited chatbots, 25,000 messages, dedicated manager.
Good for: Scaling beyond services. Predictable revenue. Easier sales conversations.
Model 3: Usage-Based
Lower base fee plus per-message or per-conversation charges. $0.01-$0.10 per message. $0.50-$2.00 per conversation.
Good for: High-volume clients. Cost transparency. Aligning incentives with success.
What Different Clients Pay
Small businesses (1-50 employees): $100-$500/month budget. They want simple FAQ bots and lead capture. Decision maker: owner or marketing manager.
Mid-market (50-500 employees): $500-$2,500/month. Multi-channel deployment, CRM integration, analytics. Decision maker: VP of Marketing or Customer Success.
Enterprise (500+): $2,500-$25,000+/month. Custom development, compliance, SLAs, dedicated support. Decision maker: committee (IT, Legal, Business Unit).
The Mistake Everyone Makes
Racing to the bottom. Competing on price. "We're cheaper than the other guy."
Cheap attracts cheap clients. Cheap clients complain more, pay slower, and churn faster. You end up working harder for less money with worse customers.
Price based on value. Explain the value. Find clients who understand value.
How to Start
Build 2-3 chatbots at discounted rates. Get testimonials. Learn what works.
Then: Start with productized packages. Raise prices every 3-6 months until you hit resistance. Track your time to make sure you're actually profitable.
The right price is the one that works for you and delivers obvious value to clients.
Start building with Chipp—free tier, no credit card—and test your pricing model before you commit.
