How much does a website cost?

[tmash]

Any web designers out there? How much do you charge for just a basic website.

I did a basic one for my dad's company, I just don't know how much to charge for it. I'm just an amateur right now, so I think it should be a little less than "market value" for a website. It's like 10 or 12 pages, some custom graphics with Illustrator, a logo, a flash slideshow. Other than that it's pretty basic (my first attempt at a 'real' website). Unfortunately it's not hosted anywhere yet, so I can't show you what it looks like.

Anyways, I just don't know how much to charge for it. Anyone wanna help me out? If I could just know how much market value would be, then I can decide what to charge.


Thanks!

[Tereno]

I think it varies from $200 to $500 or so. I've seen some charging $100 per page.

[2000fordfocus]

Average salary for a web developer in Saskatchewan is 50k/year, so divide out how many days it took you to make one up!

[sickcars]

It really depends on what it looks like. If its some really good stuff, it will be worth more.

Take some screen shots so we can see. But I would Say if its of Decent quality $200 up to $400. But without seeing it its hard to say.

Ciao

[crazdefool]

aim high. $500.. if they pay you know you did good and they value your work

[tmash]

It really depends on what it looks like. If its some really good stuff, it will be worth more.

Take some screen shots so we can see. But I would Say if its of Decent quality $200 up to $400. But without seeing it its hard to say.

Ciao

I uploaded a few of the pages to a file hosting place for now, if you guys could comment on it that would be great!

edit: nvm, that didn't quite work as I had planned, lol. I'll take some screenshots, but you won't be able to see some of the rollovers, slideshow, etc...


http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=indexao6.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=productswd5.jpg
http://img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kitchensqm0.jpg

[sickcars]

I uploaded a few of the pages to a file hosting place for now, if you guys could comment on it that would be great!

edit: nvm, that didn't quite work as I had planned, lol. I'll take some screenshots, but you won't be able to see some of the rollovers, slideshow, etc...


http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=indexao6.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=productswd5.jpg
http://img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kitchensqm0.jpg

Seems like a Decent Simple Design. You should get at Least $200 for that and you could probably push for more. I would say about $300 for that, since you said its a lot of pages and so on.

Of course you could always ask for more but thats up to you, but remember asking for more might make you a few extra Dollars now but in the end you could lose a lot since if you over charge them they wont call you back or recommend you to anybody.

Ciao

[2000fordfocus]

I uploaded a few of the pages to a file hosting place for now, if you guys could comment on it that would be great!

edit: nvm, that didn't quite work as I had planned, lol. I'll take some screenshots, but you won't be able to see some of the rollovers, slideshow, etc...


http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=indexao6.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=productswd5.jpg
http://img211.imageshack.us/my.php?image=kitchensqm0.jpg

Look like a really simple website... I won't charge too high... sorry if I am too direct...

[tmash]

Look like a really simple website... I won't charge too high... sorry if I am too direct...



Not at all, I realize its fairly simple as I noted it was my first attempt.

If you guys could even give me some constructive criticism's on what to improve and how, that would be helpful.

They really just want to get onto the web for now, so I did something quick and basic, and then I can add improvements over time.

[ipxxx]

I would pay < $100 for this...

indexao6.jpg: I don't think you're using standard fonts (I could be wrong)...if this is true then that means some (or all) users won't be able to see the font's you used unless they have that specific font installed...

the gallery looks all over the place...can't you categorize the pictures based on type...or style?

...anyways just some opinions...i'd probably have a lot more if this was hosted somewhere...and i understand how urgent they want to get out there on the web but why not do it right the first time...

PS. May want to go Alt + Print Screen next time...only captures the active window instead of the entire screen...

[tmash]

I would pay < $100 for this...

indexao6.jpg: I don't think you're using standard fonts (I could be wrong)...if this is true then that means some (or all) users won't be able to see the font's you used unless they have that specific font installed...

the gallery looks all over the place...can't you categorize the pictures based on type...or style?

...anyways just some opinions...i'd probably have a lot more if this was hosted somewhere...and i understand how urgent they want to get out there on the web but why not do it right the first time...

PS. May want to go Alt + Print Screen next time...only captures the active window instead of the entire screen...


- All the fonts are imbedded into images, so you don't need the fonts installed.

- As for categorization, they are categorized. That gallery was specifically for kitchens. There is also one for vanities, custom work, mouldings, etc...

[ipxxx]

- All the fonts are imbedded into images, so you don't need the fonts installed.


I would say that's just as bad...a slow loading page is a page that usually people close. That's only one of the many reasons not to put all your text in a large image...


- As for categorization, they are categorized. That gallery was specifically for kitchens. There is also one for vanities, custom work, mouldings, etc...

I guess from the screenshot one can not tell clearly what's going on...

I know you've mentioned this is your first attempt at this but you may want to consider looking at the competition before you put this on the web...you should do a quick search on google on: port coquitlam cabinets

not fantastic but a lot better: http://www.eurorite.com/home.htm

[chatbox]

The gallery looks really bad (sorry to be blunt).

1. All the thumbnails are squeezed together, there's no spacing, no wordings. Looks like a hack job.

2. The overlay text looks bad. Use fonts and colours that are more subtle (if you really have to use overlay, that is). I mean, you don't see decent websites with overlay text all over their images, do you?

[Tereno]

Hi there. Glad to hear that you're open to constructive criticism. It's the only way you'll learn! And one day you'll be able to really turn on they style.

Most of the text really should be text. What I mean is that it shouldn't be embedded in your image. This makes your site easier to locate via search engines like Google. You should also normally use web safe fonts so that the display will be consistent for most if not all computers. If you'd like a fancy font, set it up so that if user's don't have the font will fall back on something that you've viewed and seen that it's decent.

Good luck! If you need any help, I'm free for a chat. It wasn't that long ago when I first started out. I was probably worse than you!

[tmash]

Thanks for all the tips (and some insults i think, lol), I really appreciate the harsh words though, it's the only real way that I'll know if I'm in the right direction or not. But hey, the way I see it, web design is an iterative process, no one usually gets it right on their first try.

I'll use all your suggestions and keep plugging away, and if anyone has more comments/suggestions, I'd appreciate that!

[Tereno]

Yep.. web design is an iterative process and also subjective. :)

And your site isn't half as bad. I've seen one where the person claims to be a professional but has the site scrolling horizontally instead of vertically. No matter how nice that design is, it's never going to work.

Look up Jakob Nielsen - he has some very good pointers on how to make good sites. Sites that work..

[tmash]

Yep.. web design is an iterative process and also subjective. :)

And your site isn't half as bad. I've seen one where the person claims to be a professional but has the site scrolling horizontally instead of vertically. No matter how nice that design is, it's never going to work.

Look up Jakob Nielsen - he has some very good pointers on how to make good sites. Sites that work..

Oh, one other question.

What would be considered "web-safe fonts"?

I figure Times New Roman, Arial, and Myriad will do, any others?

Thanks again guys, I'm starting to renovate it all and it's looking much better already. I think part of my problem was that I was making things too big and spaced too far apart, I'm trying to be more efficient with my space, while also trying to keep it simple yet elegant. I posted a screenshot of the new header, tell me what you think.

http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/7100/indexxo6.th.jpg (http://img476.imageshack.us/my.php?image=indexxo6.jpg)

[ipxxx]

Not too sure about Myriad...but I typically use:
Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;

Google web safe fonts to get an extensive list as well as definitions ... anyways here are one of the hits:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_safe_fonts

Also in regards to your new header...I think it's better then your first but not sure what's going on with the "Home" link. Also the spacing between the link and the vertical line appears to be inconsistent (for example the Q of FAQ touches the line while the other letters do not)

It's good to be efficient with space...but that doesn't mean it's better to cram everything together. you may want to start with an empty canvas of 800x600 pixels (or a little less) and work with that.

P.S. if you plan on doing a lot more web design you may want to get yourself familiar with Photoshop like tools...it'll make your life a lot more easier in my opinion.

[teknoluv]

What would be considered "web-safe fonts"?

I figure Times New Roman, Arial, and Myriad will do, any others?
Definitely not Myriad, which is NOT installed in MANY computers. To play safe, use Arial, and leave all the fancy font types to graphics.

Times New Roman, with its serif or tails, are good for reading ON PAPER; some people prefer Verdana, a font designed primarily to use on screen, although I find it a bit too "fat" and not good looking enough for huge data display as in tables or longer paragraphs.

[Psylocke]

What would be considered "web-safe fonts"?

I figure Times New Roman, Arial, and Myriad will do, any others?

Like Teknoluv said, definitely don't use Myriad. And Times looks better on print, rather than on the web.

Personally, I stick with Verdana, Arial & Helvetica as my font family. Trebuchet is also easy to read.

If you want to use a serif font, I'd go with Georgia.

Here's a link to a online font-tester: http://www.fonttester.com/web_safe_fonts.html

And some good back-up reading on web fonts:
http://www.efuse.com/Design/web_fonts_basics.html
http://www.theinternetdigest.net/archive/websafefonts.html

[tmash]

Ok thanks guys! I think I'll stick with Arial and Verdana, I like those best.

[testinz]

Verdana is one of the easiest font to read. I personally would set it as the first font on the list.

[tridium]

If you want to keep up with the latest trends and just have a look at what other people are putting out there, head over to www.smashingmagazine.com. They've got some pretty extensive lists of sleek and stylish, dark, elegant, etc. pages. Just use it as inspiration because if you look at them too much you'll find that you'll start copying some of them. Obviously there are only so many ways to do a simple grid layout, but some of the more unique ones will be obvious. Take a look at the details - spacing, section headers, section corners, inflections, gradients. In my opinion, those are what make a website unique and beautiful.

Good luck, it's a long road this here web design thing. :)

[tmash]

Awesome, thanks so much guys, RFD is awesome!

I have basically finished the new first page, I think it looks much better thanks to all your guys pointers. Anything else I can improve on?

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/6816/indexnb4.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=indexnb4.jpg)

[IronMac]

It's a definite improvement over the first page(s) that you did earlier. Did you sit down and do a flowchart of the site before working on it?

As for pointers, here are a couple of things that pop up but they are not criticisms nor are they really suggestions:

A. Why is your "Home" link up so high?
B. I hate your "Q" in "FAQ" because of its long tail...hehehe
C. Why is your "Gallery" so far off to the right? Would it not be better next to "Products"? Or, alternatively, would it not be better further embedded down within the "Products" category?

One last thing, I learned long ago not to be afraid of "white space". A lot of people feel that they have to cram anything and everything simply to fill up white space but that's not a good idea in some cases. :)

[Tereno]

Georgia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_(typeface)) is a serif font made by Microsoft for screens. It's another web-safe font and is a replacement for Times New Roman.

A much better 2nd effort I must say! :)