What Everyone Ought To Know About The Cost of Hiring a Web Design Company
One of the common difficulties business owners have is understanding what they are paying for when they contract with a web design company to handle the design, or redesign of a website. The charges reflect what they have contracted, but more importantly, businesses are paying for -
- Time – We believe this concept is the most difficult for many business owners to understand. They look at a completed website for x amount of dollars and think they are paying for a website, when in actuality they are paying for the time it takes to create the website. Often the “small tweaks” business owners ask for, is actually a time consuming mini- project, and what they are charged for is the time it takes to do the so-called “small tweak.”
- Experience – Businesses should select a web design company who have been around for at least 5 years building and deploying web sites and Internet solutions. The web company should have experience managing web development from conception to delivery. The company should also employ search engine friendly techniques. This type of experience costs more money per hour (and per project), but will save your business money and headaches in the long run. You also want to make sure the company is going to be around to support your website in the future. Many companies like Forward Motion Studios have a monthly retainer plan which allows clients to request minor changes without having to go back through a quote and approval process.
- Styling – An expert design company has designers on staff who are up to date on the latest trends in design, and posses the ability to create designs that are unique to your vision of what your company brand says to the world. The more experienced the designer, the more you will pay for time spent in the design portion of your website. Again, your rate reflects the experience of the designer.
- Project management – An experienced web design company like Forward Motion Studios, has someone who manages the design projects to ensure continuous accountability and client oversight during the entire process. This can also part of the fee that you pay when you work with an experienced design company. You aren’t the only client a large design firm has, so it’s important to know someone is watching every step of your design process and making sure it is executed to your specifications.
It is not difficult to find web design companies who seem to be a good bargain, or people who work by themselves and offer design services as a one-person, low cost freelancer. But, in the web design world, always beware that you do get what you pay for. Make sure you are paying for experience. Make sure you are not paying for someone who is learning as they go. Also you need to consider what could happen if the person gets sick or has a family emergency. Who will be working on your web design project then?
Also, don’t be fooled by companies offering a low $500.00 start rate for a website and $25.00 – $50.00 a month under a two year contract. You are actually paying anywhere from $1,100.00 – $2,200.00 for your site, but it doesn’t look like it because of the $500.00 low fee upfront. And keep in mind that the monthly fee does not include any updates.
Hopefully this information helps you understand what you are paying for when you contract with a web design firm and understand what you are paying for when you hire an experienced web design company.
About Forward Motion Studios
Forward Motion Studios™ is a Santa Rosa Web Design company that builds, hosts and supports custom websites for businesses. This includes simple, brochure-like web pages to highly complex, software and database-driven eCommerce websites with B2B shopping carts.
Contact us for a free estimate / consultation by calling 707-578-1390.
