[jakubwaw]

- "As a developer, one could host a webapp and charge for a retainer (with hardly any ongoing work)"

This is not really true. Depending on the stack / type of project, there is a number of things you do on regular basis to maintain a project. People are bad at technology and a lot of it for me is usually fixing human error (especially CMS driven projects).

Also, the one time something breaks and the developer has to spend time rectifying the issue is spread out as a cost across a number of payments.

Not just a rant - there is an answer in what I've said - value is offered as part of the retainer. Client receives the peace of mind they need and doesn't have to worry about having to find someone to fight fires, when they do eventually hit.

Find things that offer value, be it peace of mind or something else, and upsell towards the end of your projects.

[dhimes]

This. I use a service to keep two servers online. They worry about updates, security issues, and what-not. If I want to know if the latest $OhChristWhatNow affects me, I don't have to deep-dive the forums. I email my service- they're on it.

I deal with other servers, but leave these biggees to the full-time pros.