Illusion Technologies: Web Site Design

Custom Website Design - The Cost
By

[http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dustin_Schwerman]Dustin

Schwerman

I would be remiss if I got into a discussion of custom
website design without discussing the cost involved. There
are always hindrances for any benefit, and before you
decide for certain if originality is the path to follow, you
should consider the detriments involved. In this case, the
costs are mainly money, time, and effort.

In terms of actual monetary cost it should be noted that the
cost is not owed to the custom nature of the site. The cost
is essentially a prerequisite based on the fact that you are
not able to use less expensive templates. If you want an
original design, you will need a skilled designer.

Presumably, you are reading this article because you are
not, yourself, trained in that field. This, then, means hiring a
professional.

Professional web design can be costly. Even simple sites
often cost more than $100, and more complex sites can
range to $500, $1,000, or more. The most advanced sites
can cost several thousand dollars to design.

Since your site is to be customized, it is likely that you will
also need graphics, multiple pages, and specialized
programs. Thus, you would be best served seeking out a
website design company that charges based on overall
complexity, rather than in discreet amounts by hour or page.
Hourly rates in particular should be avoided, as you will
likely require several revisions to get the effect you want.
Which leads to time. These sorts of websites are not simple
drag-and-drop processes; they often require detailed
stylesheets, complex programs, and unique graphics. If an
immediate on-line presence is required, you may very well
lack the time for custom work. Additionally, as noted
above, you are not likely to get the proper effect from the
first design. The greatest advantage of customization is
likewise a potentially significant disadvantage; everything is
subject to change. The site is not done until you say it is.

Literally, until you say it is. If you want to optimize for your
business, you can’t just give your designers some
instructions and leave them to handle things. Your input will
be required. You know your field, your audience. You
know which pages are most important, what functions can
improve your business. Your knowledge is an integral part
of the design process, which means that you will have to
spend your own time and effort considering the site,
communicating with your designers, and making decisions
about the options and drafts they present.

Custom website design can be useful. I would argue that
the most effective website is one created in this manner.
But this doesn’t mean that there are no costs or penalties
involved. Time, money, and effort will all be required to get
the site up and running the way you want. If you desire
your web pages to be created in this manner, then don’t shy
away from these costs, but go into things with them in
mind—and take advantage of any opportunity to minimize
them.

Copyright © 2007 Dustin Schwerman.

Dustin Schwerman is the primary web designer at
[http://www.trulyuniqueweb.com]Truly Unique--Affordable
Custom Website Design. Truly Unique specializes in
impressive, custom sites designed to capture the essence of
the businesses they represent, as well as creating useful
web-based programs to improve and simplify some of the
tasks of running a business. Their goal is to provide these
services at affordable, pragmatic rates based on effort
involved, rather than arbitrary costs based on number of
pages or hours.

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