Founder of Goodspeed
Choosing the right pricing model for Framer development services can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to working with agencies. Should you go for a fixed-price contract, pay hourly, or opt for a monthly retainer?
Whether you're a startup founder, marketing team, or product owner, understanding how Framer agency fees are structured will help you avoid unexpected costs and choose the best model for your needs.
Since May 2023, Framer has grown by over 20% month-on-month, making it one of the fastest-growing interactive design tools. As more agencies adopt Framer for website development, understanding how Framer agency fees are structured is essential to budgeting effectively and making the right investment.
In this guide, you'll get a clear breakdown of Framer development service pricing models – so you can make the right decision with confidence.
If you want to get a broader perspective on choosing the right Framer agency, check out our comprehensive agency selection guide.
So, let us begin with Framer development service pricing models explained.
1. Fixed-Price Projects
What It Is
With a fixed-price project, you and the agency agree on a set cost upfront, regardless of how long it takes to complete. Whether you need a marketing website, a landing page, or a specific Framer-based feature, your price is locked in from the start.
This model is popular for its predictability—53% of agencies prefer fixed-price contracts because they eliminate budget uncertainty. However, many fixed-price projects go beyond the original scope, leading to extra costs.
Pros:
Predictable costs: You’ll know exactly how much you’re paying from the beginning, making it easier to budget.
Encourages detailed planning: Since the agency needs to define everything upfront, you’re more likely to get a well-structured project.
Cons:
Limited flexibility: If you need extra revisions or changes, you may have to renegotiate the price.
Higher initial pricing: Agencies often add a buffer to protect themselves from unforeseen changes, meaning you could pay more than if you had chosen an hourly model.
Best For:
Projects with clearly defined requirements, such as a new product launch website.
If you prefer cost certainty over long-term flexibility.
Let’s assume you're launching a Framer-based marketing site for a product launch. You provide the agency with a complete list of requirements: a homepage, an about page, a pricing page, and a contact form.
A fixed-price contract ensures you pay a set amount ($5,000, for example), and the agency delivers the entire site within the agreed scope. If you later decide you want an extra landing page or custom animations, these will likely incur additional fees.
Scope creep is one of the biggest risks in fixed-price contracts. So, to avoid unexpected fees, ensure that your agency provides a detailed scope document, listing exact deliverables, revision policies, and potential add-on costs before signing.
2. Hourly or Time-and-Materials Model
What It Is
With an hourly model, you pay for the actual hours worked on your Framer project. This includes design iterations, development tweaks, and real-time collaboration. It’s a flexible model that works well if you're not sure how many changes or updates you'll need along the way.
As per Hubspot’s report, 26% of agencies use an hourly billing model, and typical rates for developers and designers range from $50 to $250 per hour. While this can be great for flexibility, hourly projects can cost more than expected if scope management isn’t carefully controlled.
Pros:
More flexibility: If you’re still exploring design ideas, this model allows you to tweak things without rigid constraints.
Pay for what you use: You’re only billed for actual work done, which can be more cost-effective if your needs are minimal.
Cons:
Costs can escalate quickly: Without clear milestones or a defined budget, you might spend more than anticipated.
Requires active oversight: You’ll need to track progress and make sure your project stays within your spending limits.
Best For:
Startups and businesses that need an agile, iterative development process.
Projects where frequent revisions and new features are expected.
Framer allows real-time collaboration and quick iterations, making the hourly model ideal for projects with evolving design needs.
If you're frequently testing different animations, interactions, or A/B testing landing pages, hourly pricing gives you the flexibility to make continuous changes without committing to a fixed price.
But if you choose this model, make sure to set clear limits on time spent and get regular updates from your agency to avoid unexpected expenses.
3. Retainer or Monthly Subscription Model
What It Is
A retainer model requires paying a set monthly fee for ongoing Framer development and design services.
A Framer agency retainer works like a subscription service—just as you pay monthly for SaaS tools like HubSpot or Figma, a retainer secures a dedicated agency team for ongoing site improvements.
59% of agencies prefer retainers and charge $1,000 to $5,000 per month, depending on the level of service and complexity of work required.
Instead of paying per project or hour, you get a dedicated amount of agency time each month for:
Website updates
New feature rollouts
Continuous optimization
Pros:
Predictable costs: You know exactly how much you’ll pay each month, making budgeting easier.
Priority service: Agencies often prioritize retainer clients, ensuring quicker turnaround times.
Continuous improvement: Perfect for businesses that require ongoing optimizations rather than one-time projects.
Cons:
Locked-in costs: If your needs fluctuate, you might pay for unused hours.
Long-term commitment: Not ideal for businesses that only require occasional Framer work.
Best For:
Marketing teams and businesses that need frequent Framer updates, such as launching new landing pages, A/B testing designs, and evolving a site’s functionality.
Companies that require consistent monthly website updates and iterative design changes to support ongoing campaigns and optimizations.
Retainers work well if you anticipate long-term collaboration with an agency, ensuring your website remains updated and optimized over time.
4. Value-Based or Performance-Based Pricing
What It Is
In a value-based model, the agency’s pricing is tied to the perceived business impact of the project rather than the time spent on it.
Instead of charging per hour or per project, the agency sets fees based on outcomes like increased conversions, leads generated, or revenue growth.
For example, if a Framer-built landing page helps you generate 50% more leads, a value-based contract might include a performance bonus or revenue-sharing agreement.
Pros:
Aligned incentives: The agency is directly motivated to deliver strong results.
ROI-driven pricing: You only pay more when the project delivers measurable success.
Stronger collaboration: Encourages a deeper partnership between you and the agency.
Cons:
Difficult to quantify value upfront: If it's a brand-new product or an untested market, setting a fair price can be challenging.
Requires tracking and analytics: Measuring success requires additional setup, such as conversion tracking or revenue attribution.
Best For:
Businesses that are confident in their project’s ROI potential.
Companies willing to share data and performance insights with the agency.
Outcome-based pricing is not common- only 8% of agencies use this pricing model. But it can be a great option if you want a results-driven partnership.
So, value-based pricing can be a great model—but it requires trust and transparency between both parties.
Also, value-based pricing requires proper tracking tools like Google Analytics, Hotjar, or custom performance dashboards to measure success. If you don’t have these tools in place, your agency may need to assist with tracking setup before implementing this pricing model.
5. Tips for Choosing the Right Pricing Model
Now that you’re aware of different pricing models, you should also keep these tips in mind while choosing one for your business.
Assess Your Project Scope & Goals
If you have clearly defined deliverables, a fixed-price model works best.
If you expect frequent updates, consider an hourly or retainer model.
Define Your Budget & Risk Tolerance
Do you prefer cost certainty (fixed-price) or flexibility (hourly/retainer)?
Are you open to risk-sharing (value-based pricing) for higher potential ROI?
Evaluate the Agency’s Willingness to Negotiate
A good Framer agency should explain each pricing model's pros and cons and guide you to the best fit for your needs.
Ask Your Framer Agency These Key Questions
What pricing models do you offer, and which one do you recommend for my project?
How do you handle project scope changes? Will there be extra costs?
What’s included in the initial quote, and what would be considered an add-on?
How do you track time and progress in an hourly or retainer model?
For retainers, what happens if we don’t use all our allocated hours?
In a value-based model, how do you define and measure success?
Get a Detailed Proposal
Ensure the agency provides:
✅ Transparent payment terms
✅ Potential add-on costs
✅ Revision policies
These details help you avoid surprises and ensure a smooth working relationship with the agency.
Also, some agencies may offer hybrid pricing models, where a fixed-price contract covers core deliverables, but additional work is billed hourly. If you're unsure which model fits, ask the agency about custom pricing structures tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
Framer agency fees are structured in different ways, and choosing the right pricing model can help you stay within budget while achieving your business goals.
Here’s a quick recap of Framer development service pricing models explained:
Pricing Model | Best For |
|---|---|
Fixed-Price | Well-defined projects with minimal expected changes |
Hourly (Time & Materials) | Evolving projects needing flexibility |
Retainer | Ongoing website updates and iterative changes |
Value-Based | High-ROI projects with measurable success metrics |
By understanding these models, you can avoid unexpected costs, plan your budget effectively, and build a long-term partnership with the right Framer agency.
For more insights, check out our guide on selecting the best Framer agency.
Written By
Harish Malhi
Founder of Goodspeed
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