Guides / Per-word pricing
Set up per-word pricing
Before adding a calculator to your website, decide what each service includes, how you count words and which fees apply. This guide covers those decisions.
Start with a service you can define
Give each service a name that a client understands, such as proofreading or copyediting. Describe what the service includes and what it does not. Do not use one rate to imply that every manuscript requires the same work.
Set your own public per-word rate for that scope. The sample numbers in Nirbliss demonstrate the calculator and do not tell you what to charge.
Make the word count unambiguous
Agree what gets counted: the main text, references, captions, footnotes or other material. Ask clients to use a consistent source for the count so estimates can be compared.
When working across languages, clarify whether you quote by word, character or another unit before using a per-word estimate. Nirbliss accepts a numeric count; it does not count or analyze manuscript text.
Use a minimum to describe small jobs
A short document may still involve setup, communication and delivery. If your business uses a minimum charge, publish it clearly instead of letting a tiny word count imply an unrealistic total.
Try a project below the minimum and one above it. The minimum adjustment should make the difference visible in the estimate.
Give rush work an explicit rule
A rush percentage can explain an accelerated turnaround option. In this calculator it applies after the minimum, before fixed extras. Name the option carefully: a rush estimate does not reserve an opening in your calendar.
Confirm the deadline and your availability with the client. Leave the standard option at no rush surcharge.
Keep extras specific
Use a fixed extra only for a clearly described additional service with a known fee. If a task depends on reviewing the manuscript, leave it for the follow-up conversation.
Test with no extras, one extra and all available extras. The breakdown should still be understandable to someone who has never seen your rate card.
Finish with a useful next step
Explain that this is an estimate, identify anything it excludes and link to your existing contact process. Ask for the details you need to confirm scope and availability, without requesting confidential material in the public calculator.
Before publishing, compare several calculator results with your own manual calculations. Start with a standard job, a small job and a rush job.