01 Jun How Much Does Web Design Cost?
This is a common question that really doesn’t have a direct answer. If you have ever searched for a professional web designer or have received quotes from different web design firms you have witnessed prices that varied by hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars. You have probably wondered why this happens or why one company is willing to charge you a price much cheaper than some of their competition, I decided to write this article to answer some of those questions.
How much is their time worth?
This is what separates older established web design firms from their newer counterparts. Older firms tend to have a proven record of satisfied clients and reserve themselves for only the highest budget clients. They are able to do this because they have results that speak for themselves, and the type of clients they have are more than willing to pay for what they deem is the best. Most of the well established web design and development firms will not take on a project whose budget is less than $2,000. This is because they know they are capable of making between $100-$500 per hour, and do not want to waste their time on a project with a lower budget that could take them away from a higher paying client. Obviously those with a lower budget have to have somewhere to go for their projects that meet their budget, and that is where new designers and sometimes off-shore workers come in.
New Designers
Going with a new designer can be a risky venture, but also a rewarding one at the same time. What they lack in experience they make up for with knowledge and desire. New web designers are more likely to work with you on ventures that would normally cost more due to wanting to build their portfolio. Where a full web design for a major project would be quoted upwards of $10,000 by an older firm, a new firm or independent firm could quote you less than half that cost. The per hour rate with someone newer in the industry is substantially lower than going with an older firm, so if you are working with a tight budget this is definitely your way to go.
Ways to Keep Cost Low
I can imagine that some of you are looking at the prices I’ve listed so far and been shocked. If this is you, I have some good news. There are ways to keep cost down with your designer. One of the most important is having all of your ideas and materials prepared before having someone start on your project. If you are wanting to start an online business, have your plan together before talking to someone. Needing an eCommerce site? Make sure you have all of your products in an easy to read format for the person designing your site. One of major issues that drives costs up for you is if the web designer has to dig through your information to build your site, it’s time consuming, and remember you’re paying them by the hour. One more way to possibly keep cost down for your project is to take advantage of packaged deals offered. Some firms, like WebbSitesCo, offer packaged deals with set prices on projects where they know approximately how long it will take to complete the project based on prior experience. Keep in mind that if you decide to go this route that you will only receive what is part of the package you paid for though, so if you are needing more than what is offered it is best just to get a quote on everything you need.