Website Basics:

The 5 main elements needed to build.

Think of it as a house to understand what it takes & how much it costs

Domain

Think: Address
L H
Impact on total project cost

All websites begin with domain selection. Your site’s domain is its internet address. Like entering a street address into GPS, entering a domain into your browser brings you to that location. Your domain will typically include or resemble your business name.

There are many options from where to purchase a domain and prices do vary. We can point you to some good options!

You will have ownership of your domain. (We do not sell domains)

Cost: $7.99/year and up

Hosting

Think: Land
L H
Impact on total project cost

Your GPS has brought you to an address but who owns the land the house sits upon? Hosting is a bit like the plot on which your website is placed. When you have an address it requires a space. Hosting is essentially space for rent for websites.

There are also many options for hosting with introductory rates as low as half price for a period of time (often 1 year or more).

You will have ownership over your hosting account. (We only host sites under special circumstances)

Cost: $15/year and up

Platform

Think: Materials
L H
Impact on total project cost

The platform is the framework of your new home. It is a bit like the boards, nails, screws, and concrete used to construct a site.

We predominately use WordPress as a building platform but there are other options, many combining domain and/or hosting purchase in the package. We are happy to choose according to your needs but have found WordPress to be highly customizable to customers’ requirements while also being quite inexpensive.

Platforms are not ‘owned’ per se but have access privileges, rather. Your involvement in editing & construction determine the best privileges for you.

Cost: Free (WordPress)
        – or –
    $12/month and up

Design

Think: Blueprint
L H
Impact on total project cost

The design process is the architectural drafting of your house. It is your site’s floor-plan and overall appearance. We work with you to incorporate aesthetics and functionality that satisfy your site’s needs. The more sophisticated the site, the more expensive it tends to be.

Give thought to whether you want a simple site or one rich with features. Is it only for informative purposes or is it also to sell product? All websites have the potential to look great but functionalities increase the cost.

Cost: Varies

Content

Think: Furniture
L H
Impact on total project cost

Content is the furniture, appliances, paintings, etc. that fill a house, but in this case it is words, images, and other information. Your content is placed within the rooms or design of your website.

There are a range of options with content – You may choose to provide us with all content -or- we may generate all of the content -or – anything in between. Content production has a significant impact on cost.

Regardless, your content is owned by you, generated by us or not.

Cost: Varies

Oh, and one more...

Developer

Think: Contractor
L H
Impact on total project cost

Your website developer will lead you through all of the steps above, serving not only as a designer & builder, but also as a consultant. Their levels of knowledge, awareness, and proficiency have a greater potential to impact the cost of your project than any other one factor.

Be sure you trust your developer and can have a great working relationship with them. Websites are not a one-and-done deal. They often require periodic maintenance so like your favorite contractor, you will be connected to this person for the long haul.

Think of it as a house to understand what it takes & how much it costs

Domain

Think: Address
L H
Impact on total project cost

All websites begin with domain selection. Your site’s domain is its internet address. Like entering a street address into GPS, entering a domain into your browser brings you to that location. Your domain will typically include or resemble your business name.

There are many options from where to purchase a domain and prices do vary. We can point you to some good options!

You will have ownership of your domain. (We do not sell domains)

Cost: $7.99/year and up

Hosting

Think: Land
L H
Impact on total project cost

Your GPS has brought you to an address but who owns the land the house sits upon? Hosting is a bit like the plot on which your website is placed. When you have an address it requires a space. Hosting is essentially space for rent for websites.

There are also many options for hosting with introductory rates as low as half price for a period of time (often 1 year or more).

You will have ownership over your hosting account. (We only host sites under special circumstances)

Cost: $15/year and up

Platform

Think: Materials
L H
Impact on total project cost

The platform is the framework of your new home. It is a bit like the boards, nails, screws, and concrete used to construct a site.

We predominately use WordPress as a building platform but there are other options, many combining domain and/or hosting purchase in the package. We are happy to choose according to your needs but have found WordPress to be highly customizable to customers’ requirements while also being quite inexpensive.

Platforms are not ‘owned’ per se but have access privileges, rather. Your involvement in editing & construction determine the best privileges for you.

Cost: Free (WordPress)
        – or –
    $12/month and up

Design

Think: Blueprint
L H
Impact on total project cost

The design process is the architectural drafting of your house. It is your site’s floor-plan and overall appearance. We work with you to incorporate aesthetics and functionality that satisfy your site’s needs. The more sophisticated the site, the more expensive it tends to be.

Give thought to whether you want a simple site or one rich with features. Is it only for informative purposes or is it also to sell product? All websites have the potential to look great but functionalities increase the cost.

Cost: Varies

Content

Think: Furniture
L H
Impact on total project cost

Content is the furniture, appliances, paintings, etc. that fill a house, but in this case it is words, images, and other information. Your content is placed within the rooms or design of your website.

There are a range of options with content – You may choose to provide us with all content -or- we may generate all of the content -or – anything in between. Content production has a significant impact on cost.

Regardless, your content is owned by you, generated by us or not.

Cost: Varies

Oh, and one more...

Developer

Think: Contractor
L H
Impact on total project cost

Your website developer will lead you through all of the steps above, serving not only as a designer & builder, but also as a consultant. Their levels of knowledge, awareness, and proficiency have a greater potential to impact the cost of your project than any other one factor.

Be sure you trust your developer and can have a great working relationship with them. Websites are not a one-and-done deal. They often require periodic maintenance so like your favorite contractor, you will be connected to this person for the long haul.