“How much will a web site cost?” That’s a good question - and just like “How much does an automobile cost?” the answer depends on what you need and the accessories you add. There are expensive, luxury cars and there are economy cars. Both will get you where you’re going, but you may select one based on your budget and needs. Below are general approximations of web site feature design costs based on time required for development You can select the features you want, and approximate the cost by determining the total number of hours times the hourly rate.
An example of how to use this worksheet.. Although every site is different, following are some reasonable approximations for hours required for common features.
Webpages
10 hours minimum for a custom graphical interface for the homepage. This includes buttons, custom graphics and/or logo, standard background and text. (Complex graphics may take longer).
1 hour per page. A page is defined as 350 words or less with 1 graphic and appropriate links
(must be provided on disk or e-mail). Add 1 hour if text is not in a digital format.
2 hours per page (Heavy Formatting). This would be pages with information that needs to be
formatted like a spreadsheet. If the information needs to built into columns and rows it is
considered heavily formatted.
Standard Graphics
15 minutes for 1 graphic provided via e-mail or 3.5" diskette. We will process the graphic to reduce time to load in browsers for the Internet at no additional charge.
30 minutes for 1 graphic if we scan it.
Custom Graphics
1 hour to use your picture and add digital retouching. This does not include scanning. (Major changes may require more time.)
3 hours to make a 3D logo. 3D effects work best on simple graphics without high detail.
1 hour for a standard feedback form with a thank-you note (comments e-mailed to owner).
2-5 hours for a custom order form (information e-mailed to owner).
2 hours: less than 7 fields
3 hours: 8-12 fields
4 hours: 13-18 fields
5 hours: 19-25 fields
6 hours: 26-30 fields
Add 1 hour for verification of fields
.
Other
1 hour for a custom background texture with logo or name embossed. This could also be a background created just for your site.
1 hour for submission to major Internet search engines.
30 minutes to set up 5 e-mail boxes.
Communication Time: This is time spent with you in reviewing, formatting and making test/proof pages. Any changes in pages, or format, after final approval and production, will be additional.
1 hour for initial consultation. (Minimum)
For a 16-20 hour site 2 hours of communication time is added:
Example:Costs for a typical five-page Internet Site would be calculated as follows:
10 hours minimum, plus
5 hours (1 hour X 5 pages not heavily formatted)
1 hour scanning graphic
3 hours logo reproduction
3 hours consultation (1 hour minimum plus 2 for 19 hours above)
22 Total hours required for 5 page typical site. Multiply times the hourly rate quoted.
Example: 22 Hours X $100 hourly rate = $2,200 Development Cost
To the Development costs, add the Site Hosting costs and periodic Maintenance costs for the total budget. Like the automobile example above, Total Site Hosting cost depends on what you want included. Details of various plans and what they include can be found at Plans and Prices Strategic Planning.
