WEB SITE PRICING


Websites are as diverse as
the people who own them.
Some are plain, others are fancy.
Some are text rich, others rely heavily on graphics.
Some only need a few pages to tell your story, others have many pages.
Some are "brochure style".  Others are interactive, with online stores, discussion boards, lots of links, etc.
Please download Java(tm).

Flip over to my Portfolio
to see more of my work,
visit actual sites,
and read Testimonials from
satisfied clients.

What does a website cost?
That depends on how many pages, what the client provides in terms of text, graphics, logo and photos, and what components the client wants to include, such as shopping carts, contact forms, etc. 
READ THIS PAGE and you'll have a better idea.

THE DOMAIN NAME:
I offer a fantastic deal, with no monthly fees to worry about.  For a flat $75, I procure your ideal domain name AND a very reliable hosting package (renewable annually). 

THE CUSTOM TEMPLATE:
I design your custom web template for around $325 (home and secondary page layouts) using whatever criteria you specify and assets (logo, text, photos) you provide.  This price includes my own creative input to develop a distinctive appearance. up to 5 photos provided by the client, text blocking, and enough decorative and functional elements to give the pages the proper weight, balance, and flow.  I work with you until you are completely satisfied with the look and feel of your site.  The price here can increase if the design elements grow in complexity.

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO):
Add $75 to optimize the main and secondary page templates for high search engine placement, using Web CEO technology.

$75, $325, $75.  You're up to $475.  This usually becomes the "initial deposit".

ADDING SECONDARY PAGES:
Add additional pages (same basic layout, with new titles, text & photos).  This cost varies greatly depending upon the client's ability to provide ready text, graphics, photos, etc., and the complexity of extra features added. $75-$250/page

ADDING TERTIARY PAGES:
These are little pages, like pop-up windows showing enlarged photos, thank you pages, etc., which run around $35 per page.  Of course cost here can vary too, depending upon complexity.

ADDING EXTRAS:

"Extras" include such things as Flash intros, guest books, slide shows, pop-up pages, links, more photos and graphics, and "doo dads" such as the animated logo below,

For example, compare the complex Javascript Menu below, which I use on Ursa Major's site

with the fully functional Text Menu below, which navigates the site just as well and costs a lot less.

HOME  I  PRICES  I  PORTFOLIO/TESTIMONIALS   I  GET A QUOTE I  WEB ADS

No doubt, a site's "curb appeal" can be enhanced by "doo-dads" that aren't necessary to functionality, but if you're on a tight budget you don't really need them. Many of the biggest websites, like E-Bay and Amazon, use this simple menu style.

THE BIG GUNS:

Other "extras" include what I call the BIG GUNS: credit card capability, e-commerce stores, contact forms, donation and subscription portals, newsletters, complex logos and art work, and so on ad infinitum), each priced separately.  When you Request A Quote, we can work out these details.

SITE REDESIGN:

Some people have a website already, but want it modernized, optimized, spiffed up, or completely redesigned. This project is hard to price.  It can be less expensive, or cost just as much as a brand new website. It depends on whether web elements are simply being rearranged, or new material is being added. Web designers write their code in different ways and it can be hard to cipher someone else's work.  Figuring out an unfamiliar web host's system can be time consuming.  Becoming familiar with the existing site files takes time. Cleaning up redundant files that the previous web designer may have left behind can take hours. The web designer never knows what they're going to find until they get into the project.  Don't let that discourage you because sites can be redesigned, but pricing may be higher than you expected.

What Else Is There To Pay For? 

The web designer never actually makes all the tools used to build a website (browsers, web servers, html Editors, CGI Processors, Graphics Manipulation Software, etc). Being a good web designer means having the ability to shop i.e., to filter through all the tools available, pick the best ones for you, and make them all work together.  Some of what you're paying for isn't visible on the pages.  Your web designer must:

  • Perform a Needs Assessment for your site's optimal functionality
  • Become sufficiently familiar with your enterprise to capture it's essential components on the WWW
  • Setup & Configure of all your site's services
  • Be available for discussion and brainstorming
  • Provide File Storage and Cleanup
  • Provide Client Training & Support

Your web designer may also:

  • Develop web copy
  • Assist with text editing, and possibly research.
  • Assist in creating or procuring unique photos and graphics for your site.
  • help with site promotion, link exchanges, etc. (optional but highly recommended.)

And, after the site is built,

  • Provide ongoing webmastering services to keep your site at peak performance and information current, at variable rates depending on what needs doing.

SUMMARY:  You can guestimate the entire website's cost by figuring on $150/page.  Rarely lower, Sometimes higher.

If this is what you're looking for, read on.

My freelance web design services fit the bill for the great majority of people. Think of these possibilities.

        You could have an effective 2-5 page web site up and running within a
              few weeks for under $500 and no recurring monthly fees.
        You can add pages as you grow.
        You don't need to know a thing about web design. You're free to
              concentrate on running your own business!
        You don't have to be a good writer, speller, optimizer, or advertiser.
        You don't need to live nearby because you don't need to "come in", or even spend
             a nickel on a phone call, so long as you have email.
        Once you become my client, you will never have to go it alone. 
             I'll keep you abreast of changes in the web world, renewal dates for
             any third party services your site uses, and provide spot maintenance on request.
        I can outfit your business with coordinated stationery, business cards,
              invoices, print and web ads, etc., and other ways to promote your enterprise.

I've streamlined the whole process and made it so simple, yet so personal, you'll hardly believe it's true. But it is true.  Check out my Customer Satisfaction Level.

With every web site I design, large or small, I try to

  •  listen carefully and intuitively to what you are about and want to accomplish
  •  guide you to a clearer understanding of what your website can accomplish within your budget requirements
  •  help you visualize and evaluate your concept in terms of the World Wide Web's requirements
  •  do whatever is needed to bring site content, navigation and purpose into alignment
  •  help develop effective copy as needed
  •  act as coach or "team leader" as needed to bring your project to completion

Don't be afraid to get started. If you're holding back, still uncertain, click here.
© 2005 by URSA MAJOR. All rights reserved.