| The real answer is... too much. Or at least that's how | | | | But ultimately I am motivated to cultivate good |
| everyone I talk to seems to feel. | | | | relationships with customers, so I might do a little |
| But must understand before you move forward, this | | | | extra. |
| is not a "purchase" its an investment. | | | | Things like Search engine optimization (vital to your |
| This isn't like buying a donut, where once you eat the | | | | success), graphic design, and content creation can |
| donut your left with nothing. With your newly minted | | | | raise the price of the project. |
| website you should have a long term opportunity to | | | | As a trained copywriter, writing is something I'm |
| make money and promote your business. | | | | good at and love to do. SO I will include some |
| For big corporations, like Apple, Best Buy, and | | | | content writing in my prices, especially if the client |
| Amazon they can afford to spend the big wiz bang | | | | helps me with research and I anticipate a relationship |
| bucks on a flashy site. But for most people and | | | | past the web design. |
| companies (like you and me) the most important | | | | Search Engine Optimization can cost extra, but most |
| things are not the wiz bangs, but a clean direct | | | | designers should be willing to do at least minimal SEO |
| message that people can easily read, and a site that | | | | included in the price of your website. |
| converts visitors to buyers. | | | | If there not, find someone else. |
| The less wiz bangs, and the costs for a web site | | | | Just remember 4 things... |
| decrease. Where a wiz-bang website with all the | | | | 1.) Wiz-banged out websites cost huge cash...figure |
| goodies could cost you thousands, maybe even tens | | | | out if you really need them or not. |
| of thousands...a more basic, high converting, well | | | | 2.) Your web designer will either charge you per page |
| designed and written site without the wiz-bags will | | | | or by project...also many will want half up from and |
| cost significantly less. | | | | half on completion. |
| Don't let anyone tell you any different. Depending on | | | | 3.) content writing is extra, and so is seo unless |
| page count, you shouldn't expect to pay more than a | | | | discussed ahead of time. Make sure you get him to |
| thousand dollars. Most cases your investment in a | | | | agree to terms before on not just design, but |
| web design should be even less. | | | | content writing, and SEO as well. Without SEO, your |
| You generally have two options, to either pay by | | | | website can have all the wiz-bangs but no one will |
| page or a flat fee for the entire site. This is going to | | | | see it. |
| depend on the designer you work with. | | | | 4.) Your the boss, don't screw over your |
| Remember the good ones want to not only get paid, | | | | designer...but if you don't feel comfortable with them |
| they want to make sure your happy, so they can | | | | don't work with them. Remember this should be a |
| get more business from you in the future. For an | | | | long working relationship, you don't want to work |
| example, I generally charge $700 for a informational | | | | with someone you can't stand, or you can't trust. |
| site, and a minimum of $1200 for ecommerce sites. | | | | The good ones want to work with you, and get |
| Now these prices vary depend on the amount of | | | | more business out of you...treat them right and they'll |
| pages and work on my part. And the same will be | | | | do great work for you. |
| for most designers. | | | | Hope this helps. |