How much will my web site cost?
Determining how much a web site should cost is one of the most frequently asked but rarely answered questions in the web design world. Even now, with millions of web sites online, there exists no magic formula for calculating either the cost of a new web site or the cost of a redesign. It all depends on your needs.
The cost of website can vary depending on many things, like:
How many pages do you need?
Do you need e-commerce such as shopping cart, payment processing etc?
Does your site require interaction, such as registration, blogging, forums, polls, etc.?
Do you need a logo or other specific design jobs?
In our experience, we can create a basic 5 page website for as little as $365 to complex interactive e-commerce web application that will cost in $1000s.
How long does it take to have a web site designed?
We pride ourselves with timely deliveries without sacrificing the quality of our work. Factors that may effect the time for a website to be delivered can be:
Current schedule
Complexity of website (databases etc.)
When you are able to deliver the content for your pages
Frequency of amendments during the project
In our experience, we can create and launch a basic 5 page website within 2 weeks. Complex websites will take few weeks.
How Does Your Web Design Process Work?
Please check out our design process detailed in the section How it Works .
What happens when I complete your contact form?
If you contact us during normal business hours (M-F 9:00 a.m - 5:00 p.m) someone from our firm will contact you within 30 mins from the time you complete contact form. They will collect your needs and answer most of your questions. If they cannot answer your question, they will forward your information to our Business Consultant, who will contact you within one Business day.
If you submit your information outside normal business hours, someone will contact you the following day to address your needs.
Will we need to have a meeting in connection with the website design?
In the majority of cases a meeting isn't necessary and most of our websites are generally completed with contact via email and telephone only. We place suggested website designs onto the Internet in a private place where only yourselves and us can view the content. We then liaise with you regularly to discuss the web designs in order that the website design and functionality is exactly as you wish.
What is the difference between a "static" and a "dynamic" site?
A static site is one that is written in HTML only. Each page is a separate document and there is no database that it draws on. What this means functionally is that the only way to edit the site is to go into each page and edit the HTML - so you'd either have to do it yourself using a webpage editor like FrontPage or pay me to go in and edit the site each time you wanted something changed.
A dynamic site is written using more complex code and can do a lot more. For instance, I can make an area where you can log in and change various parts of the site, such as adding information or products. This is because each page is constructed based on the information in a database, and the information in that database can be changed via another interface.
Dynamic sites can reduce ongoing maintenance costs if you don't want to change things yourself with a webpage editor or with the HTML. They usually cost more to develop, as they require more complex coding and a content management utility needs to be developed to help you manage your website information.
Another benefit of dynamic sites is that they allow you to change only the content of the site and not the design, so you will not be able to accidentally break the visual style of the site. They have other benefits when sites start to get very large, as they make data management much more efficient and your site more expandable.
Many clients do a combination, having some dynamic areas such as a product catalog where they have to change information or pictures regularly, and leave other pages such as contact information as static pages.
How do I update my website?
There are many different methods which can be used to update websites. The method you choose and the functionality we build into your website design is solely up to yourself although of course we will be glad to advise you which method will suit your needs.
If you have a small website consisting of just a few pages and will only wish to make changes very infrequently, then usually it is more cost effective simply to ask Path2Web to carry out these changes for you. Other methods which are frequently chosen are largely dependant upon how much data or information and pictures you have and how you store this information at present.
We can provide an on line content management system where you can either update individual products/pages/services or particular sections of your website. e.g. company news.
Alternatively we can provide functionality such that you can upload your entire product ranges to the website in one action using spreadsheets etc. We can also add databases if you wish.
After you have designed our website, can we manage it ourselves easily?
Absolutely! You'll have several options for managing your site after it's completed. When we're done constructing your new website, you will own it and have full access to it. You will be able to make any changes to the site if you have any web editing knowledge. You can also opt for an editable website package. This way, you can log in to easily make changes to any non-Flash content in your site, any time you want. Just make sure you let us know you would like this option before you sign up. Thirdly, we offer a Webmaster service, if you'd like us to manage your new site for you. This is pre-paid, discounted update work to your site; 30 hours of work for only $300. This saves you $150!
Am I tied into Path2Web for any site maintenance or updates I wish to do once my website is designed?
No once your website is designed it belongs to you and you can commission anyone to update it for you - although of course we would like to think that you are happy with our services and will continue to use us for your website maintenance.
When can I update my website content?
If the website we have designed for you includes a Content Management System then you can access your administration areas from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection and make updates instantly as frequently as you wish. If your website is a smaller website and was designed without using this type of system and you don't have any html. skills, then we can update the website for you. Our charges are very reasonable.
Is there any training provided with the Content Management System - CMS?
The Content Management Systems really are very easy to use and do have explanatory notes included where necessary. We run through the administration screens with you when we design the site for you - however if at any time you have any questions we are available at the end of the telephone to run through the procedures or answer any queries you may have
What does 'Website Maintenance' or 'Website Updates' mean?
Website Maintenance or Website Updates refers to changes made to your website after the initial design & setup. Keeping a website up-to-date is essential in having repeat visitors to your site. Updating the site with sales, articles, new products, newsletters, press releases, financial figures and links are all examples of website Maintenance.
You are welcome to send over your list of necessary revisions. We are happy to assist you with any changes you would like. We will work with you to come up with the cost for your maintenance request. Please use the contact form.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a monthly fee that you pay to have your site accessible on the Internet. We can provide that for our clients.
Can I choose you to design my site and use my own web hosting?
Yes, you can use any web host you like. Once your website has been completed, if you have your own web hosting, you will have to provide us with your web hosting ftp login username and password so that we can upload your website for you.
Do I need a database on my website?
This will depend upon the amount of information you wish to be displayed on your website. If you have many products/services, then it may be advantageous to have a database incorporated into your website design. We will discuss this in detail with you and if a database is advised we will explain in detail exactly how this will work. We can tailor your website design to suit your specific requirements.
Can you provide all our web design and hosting services?
Yes - we are your one stop company to provide all your web services. No more - not knowing who to call if you have problems - we can register your domain name - design your website - provide your web hosting and arrange your email accounts for you.
Do you use Flash animation in your website design?
Yes we do use flash as and when required. It is important to note that there are times when flash animations can be an asset but it would be unwise to use "flash" to create an entire website or even entire pages of your website as search engines are not able to read the content of flash and therefore any words used in animations will not be indexed by the search engines.
Generally it is best to use flash for smaller banners, advertisements or demonstrations and incorporate the flash animation into a web page which also includes some written text in html. This way the search engines will be able to index your information
Can I get e-mail with my website?
Yes you can have email and you will probably wish you set-up several email addressed e.g. sale@your-domain.com, info@your-domain.com, john.smith@your-domain.com
Can I see how many visitors I've had to my website?
Yes we provide web tracking software which records where you visitors are coming from and which pages they looked at, which search engines are being used, which phrases are being typed into which search engines and many more interesting web tracking facts which you should find useful for future marketing campaigns.
Can I have an e-commerce system for my website?
Yes you can. We have Secure Servers (SSL) which use the latest encryption methods to ensure that your customers can buy from you website knowing that the information they enter is secure and safe. if you wish your customers' payments to be "cleared on line" we can interface to organisations like Worldpay, Protex or whichever third party you wish to use
I hear that there are hidden costs associated with web design services. Is this true?
No. We discuss with you your website requirements and then price accordingly and once you have placed an order for your website design with us, that price is strictly adhered to.
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Web Designing