Your website consists of a series of files which are commonly called "web pages."  In order for these web pages to be viewable by the public these they must be stored in a folder on a web server.  To get one of these "folders" you must purchase a web hosting account from a web host.

A web host is a company that maintains special computers for storing web pages and performing functions like processing e-mail. These computers, called web servers, have a high-speed 24/7 connection to the Internet.  

Each web server is assigned a number called an IP address. IP Addresses consist of a series of numbers (12.345.678.910) that can be hard to remember. Domain names were invented to simplify things. A domain name is a user-friendly shortcut that can be pointed to that complicated IP Address.  IP addresses in combination with domain names work like a map system or phone book that makes navigating the Internet easier.

When you buy a domain name you "point" that domain to the web server your files are hosted on. This is often called "setting nameservers." Basically you are telling the people that keep track of domain names (domain registrars) where your files are stored and where to direct people that want to see your website.

When a user types your domain name into the address bar of their web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.), the browser does a lookup of the domain name.  The domain record tells the browser where to go to get to your files. The browser then sends a request to the web server and your page is downloaded to browser and appears to the user.   

Why You Need A Professional Web Hosting Account

"Free web hosting" might sound like a good deal but these accounts have a lot of drawbacks:

• Free accounts don't always support domain names, so your site will have an unprofessional address like http://freewebpages.com/users/businessname
  
• Free accounts don't offer a lot of space and data transfer. If your site gets too much traffic it will be suspended without notice and unavailable to visitors.
  
• Free accounts often lack important features like databases, PHP support, and FTP access which are required to create and maintain dynamic sites. Simple features like contact forms may be impossible to add if you use free hosting.
  
• Servers offering free accounts are often overloaded so pages display slowly.
  
• Free accounts often display large, unsightly banners or framed advertisements on your web pages.

The cost of developing a website can vary enormously based on each project's specific requirements. Many people are unsure of what price range is realistic for their website when approaching web designers.

An effective, professionally designed website may require many hours or weeks for even the most skilled designer to complete.  The designer will evaluate your specifications and provide a quotation based on a reasonable estimate of the time and effort it will take to complete your project. Compiling an accurate specification before approaching web designers is essential. Researching your needs beforehand will avoid cost overruns from unexpected changes and additions in the middle of the development process.

The following is a general guideline that can help you start budgeting. If you feel your project fits the "Simple Business Presence" description, yet have received a quote for $1,500 you should approach another designer.

Other Factors that Affect Website Design Prices

Besides the actual design fee, there are usually additional costs associated with marketing and maintaining your website.

Website Hosting 

Every website needs hosting, this is not an optional cost.
Read What is Web Hosting? to understand why a hosting account is required.

Typical Business or Small E-Commerce Sites
Let's define a standard business website as a site that doesn't employ streaming media or offer large downloads and gets 5,000 visitors or less a month. These websites do not require specialized hosting accounts and can be hosted for around $10-20 per month.

Low to Medium Traffic E-Commerce or Media-heavy Websites
Sites with more visitors or complex content (like streaming video, software downloads) require more robust hosting.  Hosting costs for these sites will range from $25-75 per month depending on traffic levels and other factors.

High-traffic Large Enterprise Websites
These websites require dedicated hosting servers. Hosting costs for these sites will range from $99-200 per month, per server.  

Content Development

Typically, web designers will not write your copy for you. Most will expect you to provide all text to used within your web pages. If you do not have your content ready, you or the design firm will need to hire a copywriter to create this text. Copywriting services start around $25-$50 per page and range up to hundreds of dollars per page for specialized content. Copywriting fees are an important factor to consider in your web development budget.

Content Licensing

Some site owners prefer to license existing articles and content from outside sources to save on the costs and time of developing all their own content from scratch. If you plan to license data feeds or article reprints, make sure to research costs and include them in your budget.

Search Engine Optimization and Marketing

Top search engine rankings are not automatic. It takes great skill, experience, and many hours of hard work to achieve great search engine positions. SEO costs will vary depending on your site's traffic goals, amount of competition, and other factors. If you want search engine traffic you will need to budget some money towards site optimization, link building campaigns, paid directory listings and submissions, and possibly pay-per-click advertising.

Graphic Design, Flash Design, Multimedia

Certain types of graphic design work are generally not included in your design fees unless specified beforehand:

• Logo Design
• Original graphs, charts, custom image creation
• Banners advertising your website
• Images for Newsletter templates

Designers will add existing photos or clipart you provide to content as part of the development process. If you need the designer to create special images or find and license images for use on your site, expect additional costs.

Unless you have hired a designer to design a Flash based site or listed Flash in your website specifications expect additional costs to add Flash animations.

If you want to add multimedia like streaming video to your site at a later date, expect additional costs from both the designer and possibly your web host. Many web designers are not equipped or experienced with editing and compressing video. You may need to hire someone who specializes in video production.

Changing Your Mind

The #1 Budget Breaker! If the website or part of your website is designed to your specification but you subsequently change your mind... expect additional costs to redo the work.  Take the time to to plan your site and know what you want before starting the development process.

Many web design firms employ assembly line production techniques to create "cookie cutter" sites for their clients. While this approach may be profitable for the web design company, it does not result in a final product which suits the unique needs of the client. DesignVeteran recognizes that each client is unique. We take the time to research and understand your business, existing systems and goals before assembling a custom solution that fits your enterprise.

Our keywords are flexibility and scalability. We work with both emerging and well-established businesses who have different budget considerations. We'll assist you in discovering what components are essential to your site's design and feasible given the resources you have available.

Our solutions effectively market your products or services, integrate with your existing systems, and can adapt as your business grows.

If you are impressed by empty promises like "A professional website in 24 hours" or "Guaranteed Top Ten Position in Google" we are not your kind of design firm.

We take a systematic, realistic approach to developing web sites. Each client is given access to our project management system providing updates on progress towards milestones and specific goals.