May 12, 2008, 9:39 am

Setting the budget for your Web site

Marylou is overwhelmed by different quotes for Web site development. What should Marylou look for in a Web site developer?

Your Answers
AFrom Liad West Hills,CA

I think you first have to pose the question "What kinda of site do I want".If you are looking for e-commerce my first advice would be examples of working sites.If you can contact site owners and ask if they are happy.Make sure their is a written agreement of what you will be getting and not.It should define payments arrangements as well.Leave a healthy balance for after everything is done.Investigate rates for changes after site is done.A lot of developers can give you a live demo of backend(administration) interface that you will use to interact with your site.If all the above checks out to your satisfaction then you can expect the site to be several thousand dollars however it will probably be money well spent in long run.

Byliad.com

Posted By Liad West Hills,CA : May 31, 2008 7:58 pm
AFrom Ted Hessing, Charlotte, NC

The specific question asked by MaryLou was "What is the price range of a typical website in MD."

The forum question "What should Marylou look for in a website developer" is a great way to find the answer to the first question of website design price.

The only reason to have a business website is to make money. A good web developer will be able to determine what features a site should have to maximize the return on her investment. Great developers should be able to create a phased approach to scale the site as her business and revenues grow.

From a pure price perspective, web development cost really does depend on the effort required and project timeline – just as most other services do. Just make certain you will get that return.

Ted Hessing
Charlotte Web Development

Posted By Ted Hessing, Charlotte, NC : May 16, 2008 1:00 pm
AFrom James, Lake Forest, CA

I agree that the range of the quotes are so different is because most small business owners don't know what they want and/or don't understand the scope of some of the features they want.

As someone who works with small businesses on sites, I've had a number of cases where they say they want a one page site where people can login, create accounts, order, view order history, etc and expect to only pay $500.

On another hand, I've dealt with clients who thought they needed to spend $5,000 but after ironing out what they want, and only had to spend $1,500 to $2,000.

- James
http://www.truepathsolutions.com

Posted By James, Lake Forest, CA : May 12, 2008 1:24 pm
AFrom Nancy Chorpenning, Atlanta, GA

I agree that as a starting place, it is critical to clarify the main purpose for Marylou's website. It is of concern that her query did not give some clue about that, beggin the question of how well thourght through is this website? Too often, small businesses put up a site just for presence, because "everyone else has one." Without clear focus, that is throwing good money after bad. Also, it is important to understand what role Web presence plays in a comprehensive marketing strategy, where action plans and measurements of success are hopefully in place. She could use a trusted business advisor to serve as both an advocate and accountability partner, as well as to resource web developers who won't take her to the cleaners! Depending upon her needs, she could potentially do something for less than $5000 – perhaps even using a blogging approach would be a better route? The limited information provided makes it impossible to know but it does open up important questions to be asked and answered.

Posted By Nancy Chorpenning, Atlanta, GA : May 12, 2008 10:51 am
CNNMoney.com Comment Policy: CNNMoney.com encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNNMoney.com may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNNMoney.com the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNNMoney.com Privacy Statement.
  • charles_ellis.04.jpg
    Detroit's churches are plowing millions into redeveloping local housing and businesses. More
  • bplaunch_2009.04.jpg
    These 50 metro areas have all the features entrepreneurs need to thrive. More
  • cozy_with_customer.ju.04.jpg
    Follow our road map to generate game-changing ideas for your business. More
  • winepod_1.04.jpg
    Winepod attracted a wait list of eager buyers and millions from investors. Then came the recession. More
  • wells_fargo__sf.04.jpg
    As other major banks withdrew, Wells Fargo stepped up its small business lending. More
  • lcorona_motorcycle.04.jpg
    Designer Chuck Comeau set up his manufacturing in Plainville -- 240 miles away from a major airport.  More
  • diego_son_printing.04.jpg
    As staffs shrink, business owners are taking on support duties they haven't had to handle in years. More



QHow does a florist sell more in this economy? We changed our business to designing weddings and events only, as the everyday flowers are not selling. We had to throw out too much product at the end of the week -- flowers are perishable! More
Get Answer
- The Flower Lady, Suwanee, Ga.
Sponsors
© 2009 Cable News Network. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2009 BigCharts.com Inc. All rights reserved. Please see our Terms of Use.
MarketWatch, the MarketWatch logo, and BigCharts are registered trademarks of MarketWatch, Inc.
Intraday data provided by Interactive Data Real-Time Services and subject to the Terms of Use.
Intraday data is at least 20-minutes delayed. All times are ET.
Historical, current end-of-day data, and splits data provided by Interactive Data Pricing and Reference Data.
Fundamental data provided by Morningstar, Inc..
SEC Filings data provided by Edgar Online Inc..
Earnings data provided by FactSet CallStreet, LLC.
Powered by WordPress.com.