Lucid Green: Websites made simple

How much does it cost?

 

Introduction

The first question most people ask is the wrong question: "How much does it cost?" The cost of your web development project will vary depending on the visual sophistication of your site, the features you require and the overall complexity of your website. In essence, it comes down to time and materials; the more time and features your website requires, the more expensive it will be.

The single most important factor in determining your web project's cost is your budget. Rather than asking "how much does it cost?", ask "What can I accomplish with this budget?"

Setting a budget first and adjusting your goals accordingly keeps your site from spiraling out of financial control due to "scope creep." Scope creep is the slow increase of cost and size during the design phase caused by unplanned additions. A clear budget also provides focus so that your designer can offer affordable solutions instead of expensive gimmicks. Most importantly, it puts you, not the designer, in charge of your money.

Budget to fit your goals

While you can set an arbitrary budget and then keep your goals strictly within this limit, the best method is to start with a rough estimate and allow the scope of your goals to influence your final budget decision.

Once you have an estimated budget and a few clearly defined goals, ask "What resources and skills do I need in order to accomplish my goals?" Consider the following three categories and what your website will require in each of them.

Content: All websites will require content of some sort. This can simple, such as pricing and contact information, or it can be more complex, such as a directory of names and phone numbers.

Technology: The technologies you will need to implement depend heavily on the complexity of your content. Simple informational sites will only require the basic necessities (hosting services and a domain name), while complex database-driven sites will require much greater capabilities. You may need to have a skilled programmer to handle the creation and maintenance of some technologies.

Design and construction: Effective and beautiful websites need to be carefully crafted to meet the intended audience's needs. The design process requires an understanding of the principles behind great websites and a true commitment to excellence. On the web, just as in the real world, the old maxim holds true: you get what you pay for.

Summing it all up

The cost of a website depends heavily on what you can afford. The size, complexity and needs of your project will influence your budget and will in turn be influenced by your budget. It is important, therefore, to have a good idea of what you want to accomplish with your website and how much you are willing to spend to accomplish it.