Looking to get a website designed

[Scientist]

Does anyone know roughly how much it costs ($$) to get a website up and running? The website doesn't need to be too complicated, just a place that clients can come and see what services I offer. I also want it to be 'google-able'

Also, any referals for someone who can do a good job at this?

Thanks.

[GroceryBagHead]

Well it really depends. It depends on what exactly you want and who you going to hire to do the job. If it's something fairly simple expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 for a quality work.

I'm currently looking for fulltime employment as a webdesigner/developer (just finished my degree) so I'm sitting at home at moment. If you want you can PM me, maybe I can be of help.

[Sanhedralite]

www.onyxservers.com

[Div]

Check out some of the freelance websites (like elance.com). You should be able to get a basic brochure site for under $300.

[Canucklehead]

Sounds like what you want is a "static" webpage. Kind of like a brochure but online instead correct?

For it to be google-able do you mean
1. easily found when someone does a google search, or
2. your site should be searchable

If you meant 1. - then you should take a look at the keywords that relate to your service and make sure that it is included in meta tags - this is pretty easy to do as you can see.

If you meant 2. - bit more difficult but not impossible.

You're looking at about $300-$500 per page. If you can supply all the pictures/text/logos and rough layout it will save you money 'cuz you're saving the web designer time.

The recent school grad sounds like a good bet - give the student some "resume-able" experience and you get a RFD!

[gmark2000]

http://www.designoutpost.com/

You set the price you want to pay, then a series of designers compete for your business. It cheapens the value of the design industry but you can see the results are terrific in many cases. Designers overseas can do things so cheaply.

I used this site to purchase a logo.

[Aquanaut]

Hi there,

If you are okay doing some of the work yourself, web templates are a very cost-efficient and professional solution. There are many companies offering templates, and you should be able to purchase a non-exclusive template for about $50-60. FYI, I used the folllowing company: http://www.templatemonster.com/

You'll also need web hosting and maybe domain name registration. I'm sure there is a lot of information about these somewhere on RFD.

[formalentity]

Ygpm

[lindmar]

Hi there,

If you are okay doing some of the work yourself, web templates are a very cost-efficient and professional solution. There are many companies offering templates, and you should be able to purchase a non-exclusive template for about $50-60. FYI, I used the folllowing company: http://www.templatemonster.com/

You'll also need web hosting and maybe domain name registration. I'm sure there is a lot of information about these somewhere on RFD.

template monster sucks. The sites are lame and outdated. If you need some help I can help. Let me know.

[weales]

Some things to consider when meeting a designer or design firm.

1. Ask them how many years they have done JUST web design. If they mislead and answer "I have 15 years in marketing" and try to tie that in with web design, forget them.

2. Ask for thier portfolio. If they have none, laugh, give them the finger and walk away.

3. Ask them if the billing they do is hourly or if they do it as a package. If you hear $100/hour, don't run away, ask them how much time it will take. Package deals in the long run can be a good thing. Some will include maintance on the site for x months/year.

4. Have your content done before hand or expect a very unhappy designer who can't spell worth **** or expect to bend over as they'll charge you a lot of money for being a copyrighter and still have spelling/grammar mistakes.

5. if #4 applies to you, find someone who is a copyrighter or if a design firm, see if they have a copyrighter inhouse who ONLY DOES COPYRIGHTING.

6. RFD'ers who say they'll help you out can be a good thing.

All I can think of and yes I am a designer with 10 years under my belt and no I won't ask you if you want a $10 dollah website

[cdnNick]

I'll throw my 2 cents in, weales brings up some very good points. Especially, the one about having your content ready to go. It makes the planning and designing much easier.

I have a client that I have been chasing around for 2 weeks to get some info out of them and I have not received a thing. Normally, I would not charge for communicating with the client but its at the point that I have to.

A simple site can be created in a 1 or 2 if you know what you want and can explain exactly what it is to the designer.

Not too much good comes out of using templatemonsters services. Most of their sites are poorly coded and can be used many many times unless you pay for the unique price.

[tragu]

A full custom static (no programming) website with up to 10 pages can cost you anywhere from $500-$1000. On the other hand, you can get just a custom layout designed by a professional for less than $250. Once you have the layout, you can add pages as you need. To do this, the layout has to be flexible. Templates are usually not flexible.

Furthermore, don't go for a website that has fancy animations or heavy graphics. Go for a simple and clean website, where you can present information about your services effectively. After all, web is an information medium.

By the way, don't just spend all of your budget on creating your website. You need to maintain your website. You also need to promote it to get results from your website.

I hope that helps.

Best regards,
Thuva

[Spidey]

I design websites for small companies as well.

My link below has more details and my portfolio if interested

[fantom]

All I can think of and yes I am a designer with 10 years under my belt and no I won't ask you if you want a $10 dollah website

Most importantly, try not to fall into the "years of experience" trap...

I saw some web designers advertised here that have been in business for 5-10 years, and they are still stuck in the past... their designs and coding is great, according to 1999 standards. Search engine marketing and optimization? What was that again...?

Someone might have 10 years of experience on the surface, but they might just have 1 year of experience repeated 10 times (they've been doing the same thing over and over for 10 years)... ask them what have they accomplished for their clients, how well did they get the job done, testimonials from clients confirming that, etc.

And beware of the ones that charge per hour or per page or whatever... it's a matter of providing a right value and solution at an agreed cost, regardless of the number of pages or hours supposedly spent on the project

With that said, if you're looking to spend less than $500 on this website, I cannot help you.

[Spidey]

Most importantly, try not to fall into the "years of experience" trap...

I saw some web designers advertised here that have been in business for 5-10 years, and they are still stuck in the past... their designs and coding is great, according to 1999 standards. Search engine marketing and optimization? What was that again...?

Someone might have 10 years of experience on the surface, but they might just have 1 year of experience repeated 10 times (they've been doing the same thing over and over for 10 years)... ask them what have they accomplished for their clients, how well did they get the job done, testimonials from clients confirming that, etc.

And beware of the ones that charge per hour or per page or whatever... it's a matter of providing a right value and solution at an agreed cost, regardless of the number of pages or hours supposedly spent on the project

With that said, if you're looking to spend less than $500 on this website, I cannot help you.

I on the onther hand can.