Web Site Costs

What does a web site cost?

Time or money, they are interchangeable, but it has to be one or the other, and you will have to spend some of each.

OK, that is a glib answer, but it is true. You can make your own web site and spend lots of time but very little money on it, or you can pay someone to make it for you and spend lots of money but very little time, or you can do something in between.

If I Buy A Web Site, How Much Do I Have To Do?

That depends on what parts you pay for and what parts you contribute. There are four parts that need to be done. The actual computer code that makes the site appear on the internet. The graphic design, meaning the layout, colors and images that decorate your site’s pages. The content, meaning the actual information being presented. The technical task of buying a hosting package, getting the site on the server, buying and registering a Domain Name, and updating the site when needed.

Unless you build your own site, you will leave the computer code to whoever builds the site or you.

The graphics, which control the look of your site usually need to be done by an artist who specializes in such work. Many companies already have a ready to use graphics package and corporate look and use it on their web site as well to capitalize on the branding they have already established elsewhere.

The content is something that is best provided by you. It is telling your story, presenting your services and products, and you know more about this than anyone. The alternative is to pay someone to write this for you, or to use a generic, “Eat At Joe’s”, billboard page, which is just a large Internet version of your basic phone book ad, and not recommended. Unlike print, additional words are cheap to add to a web site, so you should take advantage of it and tell your whole story.

Getting the site on a host and available on the Internet is a part best left to whoever makes your site. It is not hard, but it helps of you have done it before.

Can I Make My Own Web Site?

Yes. You can buy Microsoft Front Page ($200) or Adobe Dreamweaver ($400). Then you can design and layout a web site. Then you have to find a host, buy a hosting package, buy a domain name, upload the site and deal with any problems yourself. If you are adventurous, have a lot of time, and are the type of person who is good with computers, this may be the route you decide to take.

What Do I Put On My Web Site?

A topic for the next page… Click Here