Web Design / Development
How long does it take to create a website?
The length of time it takes to create a fully functional website is based
on several factors. Custom design work can take anywhere from
1 - 4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the design and the number
of revisions you require. The development phase requires an additional
1 - 6 weeks, depending on the number of pages, and the functionality
required. Of course, these are general guidelines, and we will make every
effort to meet the timeframe you have in mind.
What is the average cost for a website?
It is difficult to quote an average price, due to the enormous range
in requirements for a site. According to BusinessWeek
Online, a designer might charge $2,000 or more for a basic
Web site, not including Web hosting fees. If you check out BuyerZone.com,
you'll see that a 4 - 6 page template-based site will cost around
$400, while a full custom design will come in closer to $800 - $1500.
Other authoritative sources generally quote in the $1,000 - $2,000
range.
There are many, many factors that influence the ultimate cost of any given
website, and we encourage you to read our article regarding Website pricing
for more information and guidance in searching for your Website provider.
How much do you charge for web site design?
A fully customized, unique website design starts at $449, and page
development is $50 - $75 each. Pricing for other services and functionality
are outlined separately on our pricing page to help you determine
and control the amount of your investment. We also provide our clients
with a detailed estimate before any work begins.
What kind of technology do you support?
We specialize in XHTML, CSS and Flash, but are very experienced with JavaScript, DHTML, XML, PHP, and others. Although it's unlikely, if there's something we can't do, we can reach out to our network of partners for additional services (at no additional cost to you).
Can I see my website while it's in progress?
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. We build your website on our development
server, and provide you with a username and password so that you can
log in and monitor the progress of your site. During this phase, we encourage
your feedback if something isn't quite the way you envisioned it or if
you've changed your mind. Once your site is ready and you have provided
your approval, we release it live on your server and submit your URL
to the major search engines.
How many changes can I make to my site without additional cost?
We give as much latitude as we possibly can. After you've identified the
general format and color schemes of your preferred design, we'll complete
up to 2 rounds of major revisions at no charge. All minor revisions
are provided at no charge.
Are any other services included in your web design and development costs?
Yes. Our web design and development service includes configuration of your email accounts, detailed monthly traffic reports and basic search engine optimization services. Basic SEO includes submission of your site to the major search engines, and the setup of your primary metatag information (Page Title, Description and Keywords). Additionally, your site is built from the ground up with search engine friendly technologies and methods.
We are a very small company with a limited budget. Do you offer any design templates?
This is a question we often receive from startup companies and entrepreneurs.
Although we don't offer design templates today, we are planning to release
a gallery of templates unique to RaSlyon Technology in October, 2007. Please check
back with us soon, or send us an email to inquire further.
Is a custom design really that much more valuable than an attractive template?
In general, we don't recommend the use of templates, but they may
be appropriate in certain situations. For example, if you absolutely
must have a site launched within the space of a few days,
or if you are on an especially limited budget, a template might be
an acceptable short-term solution. However, these instances should
be the exception rather than the rule for these reasons:
1. Most templates do
not conform to important usability and search engine guidelines. If
you're not meeting the needs of your users, or if the search
engines can't easily index your site, then you'll simply be wasting
your valuable time and money with this approach.
2. Most templates do not lend themselves to quick
or easy modification. If you require design modifications, it's important to understand
that they can substantially increase your total cost.
3. Templates purchased from the major online
vendors may be used hundreds or even thousands of times, even by your
own competitors. A cookie cutter
design doesn't attract much lasting attention. Good design is a reflection
of your business, your strategy and your audience.
If design templates aren't such a great idea, why will you be offering them in the future?
As with all of our custom designs, our templates will conform to important
usability principals and be built from the ground up using solid,
search engine friendly techniques. We use Cascading
Style Sheets (CSS), which facilitate changes to a site's visual appearance
and overall layout.
Not only does it reduce design time modifications, but it also also
provides greater control in constructing a design just the way you want
it.
When is payment required for your web site design and development
services?
For small projects, 50% of the estimated fee must be provided prior to
beginning work, with the remaining payment due upon completion of the project.
For larger projects, an initial payment representing one-third of the estimated
total fee is required. The second payment is required upon the halfway point,
with the final third due upon completion of the project.
Content Management
I need some changes on my Web site or template. Do
you provide that service?
Yes! For one time changes, we will provide you with an estimate before
beginning the work and charge at our standard hourly rate. If you anticipate
regular needs for maintenance, one of our Ongoing Maintenance Plans may
be more cost-effective for you.
What is the best approach for content maintenance on my site?
RaSlyon Technology Web Solutions offers three options for maintaining and refreshing your site content. We don't care which option you choose, but we strongly encourage you to update your site regularly.
- The Pay as You Go Plan: Call us when you need to add
to or make a change to your content. We'll complete your request within 48
hours, and bill you at our standard hourly rate. Urgent requests can generally
be completed within a few hours for an additional charge.
- Ongoing Maintenance Plan: Sign up for one of our ongoing
maintenance plans, and you'll receive a discount on our standard rates.
- Content Management System (CMS): Purchase a Content Management
System from RaSlyon Technology and make all the changes you want. Perfect if your
site requires frequent updates.
