These are *must ask* questions for any web project.
What will this website cost me to maintain in the future?
What platform do you do the website in?
How long will you take to complete my website?
How many hours of training and support do I get with my website?
Do I own the site? Can I take it with me if I decide to use another designer?
What are my hosting costs?
Can I expand my website in the future?
Who will write the content?
How much SEO is involved?
Does this website work for my business?
What will this website cost me to maintain in the future?
The cost of getting your website done and up isn't the only cost that you will incur. It is equally important to think about what the website will cost you in 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years. Often a business will pay a lessor price to have the website made initially, but the will be excess costs in the future everytime they need a change or an update done to their website.
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What platform do you do the website in?
This is particularly important. There are several different platforms (tranlation: ways to do a website), and each one has advantages and disadvantages. Some will give you great flexibility, and others will give you great value.
You need to know what you are getting. Many web designers will focus or specialize in one platform, and you will get that platform even though it might not be the best solution for your company.
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How long will you take to complete my website?
When do you need your website up and running? What resources does your designer have in order to meet your expecations? Will they be hiring someone else to help with the site (such as a graphic designer or a writer). You should know when your site will be up and running.
How many hours of training and support do I get with my website?
From a web designers standpiont, one of the most expensive items items in a website is the about of time that a client will require from us. Many web designers will build in a certain amount of hours into the price, whether you use them or not. You should be finding out if the cost you are paying includes hours of training with yourself. This can have 2 possible results: (1) Either you are computer whiz and you are paying for training that you won't need, or (2) You know nothing about your website, and you will be charged extra for training/support fees in the end.
Do I own the site? Can I take it with me if I decide to use another designer?
Make sure that you establish if the website is yours, or if it is being designed on a platform that you cannot take with you.
If the website is yours, then the designer will have registered a domain name in your name, they will give you all the pictures and all the code of the website.
Sometimes, it is designed on a platform that you cannot take with you, such as a template.
If you do not know if you can take it with you, then you will have to use the web design company you choose for as long as you want your website.
- What are my hosting costs?
Hosting is the monthly cost that you will pay so that your website has a home on the internet. There are many hosting companies out there. Hosting can be as little as $5/month and go up from there. But...buyer beware! You get what you pay for! The rule of thumb is this:
The less you pay, the slower your site and the less flexibility and support you have.
The type of hosting you get should match the type of platform that your product was developed on.
Can I expand my website in the future?
A very important question to ask! What happens if you decide to add features in the future? Can it be done easily? Or will you have to redo your website again?
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Who will write the content?
Content is always the toughest part. Who writes the "words" that the clients see? Many businesses assume that it is the web designer's job to write the words. It is rare that you will purchase a web site design with the content written in.
It is the client's responsiblity to have the words written in such a manor that will meet the criteria of search engines, user readability, good grammer, etc.
There are many professional writers out there to help with that. But the cost will not be included in the web designer's costs.
How much SEO is involved?
SEO. Search engine optimization. Having a website is like having a party. SEO is when you send out invitations.
Just "Google it" has become a phrase that is well known to all. But how does Google find your website?
There are rules around it that a designer should follow. However, SEO is also a speciality field in web design, and not all designers know all the rules in order that your website is found on Google.
Does this website work for my business?
Has your designer looked beyond the immediate needs and helped walk you through what your business needs? Does it work for you?
