I am also against a low initial rate. I did this when I started, and it was a mistake. My initial low rate often attracted clients who did not value your work. These clients have tried to squeeze every penny they could out of me with technicalities and ambiguities. They tried to add "small changes" all the time that are hard to say no to since taken separately they are minor, but collectively they are not. And even after all this, they still tried to bargain and get discounts.

Once I increased my rate, people treated me more seriously and valued my work more. People who will pay more have been more okay with hourly rates and realize that additional changes will cost more.