Estimates & Costs

An estimate for a job can only be based on the information made available by the client at the time of the estimate.   A quote can not be given on an unknown quantity of work.

If requirements or the information provided change during the design process, costs will be reviewed with the client.

Graphic design and web site design are separate services.  For example, designing a new logo for your company is not included as part of a web site design package.  What services are needed will be decided after a consultation, and included in the estimate.

Knowing your budget allows the me to establish what you will be able to realistically achieve for the money, and to perhaps suggest a range of options.

Domain and Hosting

On top of the fees to design a site, you will also need to purchase web hosting and a domain. The web host is where your page is stored on a server, and the domain name is your site’s address (www.domain.com). It’s important that you use a reliable host so that your site is always operational.  Cheap hosting means poor service in a lot of cases.  Hosting is not something you want to cut corners on.  I do not offer hosting or domain registration services, but there are hosts I can recommend at various budget levels..

Domain names are a standard fee per year, and are purchased from a registrar.    In most cases, the host offers these services.

Preparation and Costs

Preparation is key when planning a web site for both the client and the designer.  The designer can only work with the information provided.  If it is not prepared properly, or is constantly changing, you are adding to the cost of your project.

Keep a few things in mind when preparing/planning your site.

• Your website needs to have a purpose – be it to generate a sale, a lead, or just a contact.
• Your website should be usable and functional – keep the customer in mind as well as your own needs/tastes.
• Professional looking materials will mean a better looking site.  Take the time to prepare good text copy, and good photos and images.

Site Content & Costs

If you or your business/company already has a corporate image that uses a set of colours, fonts, and logos have them available.  If all you can provide is a poorly printed letterhead that requires cleaning up or completely rebuilding to be used, it adds to costs.

Text, photographs, illustrations should be provided in the specs you are supplied in the initial consultation.

Text or ‘copy’ should be provided in an electronic format.  For example, a Word processing document.  To cut costs, be sure the documents have been proof read, spell checked, and organized.  If this is done properly, it will cut time off the design process.  Text varies by client, but includes bios, missions statements, product information, services information etc.

Images/photos/logos should be provided in the highest quality format available.    The more time the designer has to spend working with the supplied graphics, the higher the project cost will be.  Photos should be provided in a high resolution.  Logos should be provided in a high resolution, and preferably in a vector (.eps) format.

Goals and Focus

Whether it’s a print campaign, posters for a conference stall or a multimedia presentation, every design job involves a goal to be fulfilled.   Keep focused what site content is vital to your customer base/audience.  For example, does your site require hundreds of pages of text to sell your product or service?

Other tips

Have you seen other web sites you like, or have an idea of how you would like the site setup already?  If so provide some sample sites, or even draw a diagram.  Any preparation like this cuts down on design time.

Conclusion

These are a few tips that can help save both time and money.  . Preparation is basically the key. We can work together to come up with a design that makes you happy, but having the basic information before hand can cut a lot of the time off that process.  Hopefully this article has been helpful.