How much for a website?

HarryHarry

isofa wrote: »

I suspect anyone offering a service or to "PM me for a quote" will fall foul of the forum rules...

Several posts on this thread had vanished, I guess for a similar reason.

Fair enough. . . Rules are rules I suppose!
thought the rest of the post was helpful though!

1jim

Was there a few sites that people discussed some time ago that you put a description of the work/site you required and web developers all over the world could see these and bid on the work- I think some of the sites held the money in trust until you were happy with it?

nitr02007

Sounds like you want a simple website which just contains static info about you and the work you do. Like my local vet - Rosehill Veterinary Clinic for example.

This sort of website is very straightforward to set up, and can be done by an enthusiast at home so no need to spend big bucks. Keep the design simple and straightforward.

I use 1and1 for my webhosting and its all I need, I have no complaints - however I am a techie and creating websites like this is child's play.

faevilangel

As a few people have said, to get a professional site, will cost you. A webdesigner / developer is like a builder, there are good guys out there, but also a lot of cowboys.

Always check the persons website, and if need be, look at the clients sites, and talk to their clients. Get an understanding of what they are like on time, support etc.

You might also need to factor in the cost of hosting, and a domain name. Not many freelancers offer this. I don't. I prefer the clients to set their own hosting etc as then they have professional support for any issues. You can pick up UK hosting for £1 a month.

nomoneytoday

Website design is like Wedding Photography. Many people buy a camera and think they can do it on the cheap... Some are good, but others may miss vital details that can bite later...

nitr02007

nomoneytoday wrote: »

Some are good, but others may miss vital details that can bite later...

..sounds like you've got some good advice to give... don't tease us spill the beans...:D

nomoneytoday

nitr02007 wrote: »

..sounds like you've got some good advice to give... don't tease us spill the beans...:D

I would ask questions like:

How much experience do they have in your product area (or similar) ?
Which software do they use?
It is fully compliant with all web standards?
Will the search engines pick up the tags and list you near the top?
Will the search engines see too many tags as spam?
Is it updatable?
Do you control the hosting?
What happens when the nominet tags expire in 2 years?
What backup do they give?
What happens if the hosting goes down at 4.45pm on a Friday afternoon?

faevilangel

nomoneytoday wrote: »

I would ask questions like:

How much experience do they have in your product area (or similar) ?
Which software do they use?
It is fully compliant with all web standards?
Will the search engines pick up the tags and list you near the top?
Will the search engines see too many tags as spam?
Is it updatable?
Do you control the hosting?
What happens when the nominet tags expire in 2 years?
What backup do they give?
What happens if the hosting goes down at 4.45pm on a Friday afternoon?

Also talk to their clients to find out about how well they thought the job went They may have finished the job, but could have been a pain to get hold of for issues and been 2 months over expectated date.

Some good questions there, it's advisable to always do research, like you would do for a plumber, electrician and accountant.

timmmers

Well ..some interesting advice here...wrong in part but fun to read.

The last oart that was wrong was this :-

Also talk to their clients to find out about how well they thought the job went They may have finished the job, but could have been a pain to get hold of for issues and been 2 months over expectated date.

A site is never finished. Not unless you cease to run your business and technology stops moving forward....5 years ago even the basic standards were different, there were no laws on accessibility and people didn't have fast connections. Things will change to make whatever you have now look old hat, and if you intend to be professional that's not good. Many people use mobile devices now, more than you may imagine will in the future...you may wish to go that way even if not now.

For these reasons your web developer needs to be around, and you need to know at least roughly how much he's going to charge for updates and improvements. If you sort that out now it's far easier for both later.

You can't ask how much, it's like asking "How much does a house cost to build?" ....without details there's no way to say. Do what you would with any other job...put together a list of reuirements, and maybe find a site or two that resemble what you would aim to have, then ask.

There are two main types of site. Static brochure types, and database driven interactive ones (with user input like a forum or comments etc ). A hobby designer may make a really nice static site...but struggle with anything else. Think to the future here too.

Your best mate is a pencil and paper. Work out what you like on other sites. Then what you need. Then a general look and feel you'd like. Then consult someone who will make it and stick with you and listen. Web designers can get the impression it's their site sometimes.

A good way to find a layout is to Google Website Templates...and the top companies have galleries that you can browse and even live sites to try out....that way you can have a really good idea of what you want and an example to show.

If a guy works in his living room..it means nothing. That is the very reason I did this job for such a long time (and have full qualifications in commercial web design etc) ...I needed to work my own hours and from home. The BS about a web designers own site eing the best he can do?? :rotfl: Yeah, if they have one at all. I know 3 or 4 brilliant ones who don't have a site. they don't need one. mine has nothing on it right now much either. They don't do it as a hobby...it's work. Finding the time and will to keep a site current isn't always top of the agenda when work is flowing anyway.

I hope you get something more professional than that vet site, man that's 10 years out of date. ,

A simple clean professional site with a basic amount of graphic work (logo) would probably come in at about 250 for half a dozen pages if you shop around.

t

chunter is spot on too BTW.

nitr02007

timmmers wrote: »

I hope you get something more professional than that vet site, man that's 10 years out of date. ,

Actually the information is quite up to date - you may not like the colour scheme or style but so what.

The point is that it clearly gives lots of information about their business.