I'll be doing some freelance web design / brochure design and business card design very soon...
Can anyone recommend a pricing structure (excluding web hosting %26amp; registration) ....?
Ie - hourly rate as opposed to package deals...
With and without Flash components....
Search Engine Optimization...
Any suggestions for sites to check out for assistance with this..?
*** I would consider myself quite good at web DESIGN, but I wouldn't say expert A List Apart type material!!! ***
What do you think guys..?
Any suggestions of how to quote for web / brochure / business card design services?
What you want to do is figure out an average of how long it takes you to do a job. For that job you bid on how many hours it will take you based on your average. If you are bidding without competition then you want to bid based on a worst case scenario, at least if you are really good.
song meanings
Monday, May 24, 2010
What if I have a website or internet business idea. But know nothing about web design or business.?
I have no webdesign or business skills. I just have a few ideas that I think might work. Where should I turn. I need a detailed response. so please be literal. I need a start to finish nothing left out response. Thankyou.
What if I have a website or internet business idea. But know nothing about web design or business.?
Your next step would be to get involved with a web host that will assist you in the designing/building of your website around your interests and ideas. There are a few great ones out there. I would suggest that you take a look at several options. First compare feature-by-feature then dollar-for-dollar. Doing this will ensure that you find the host that will fit your needs and get you the most out of your money. I personally enjoy the services of http://www.customized-by-you.com They have a great tutorial video on their site that explains the proper design/structure of a successful website.
BEST WISHES!
Reply:Time of execution is critical on the internet. Everybody is thinking of some awesome idea and is trying to be the new "Facebook or Youtube".
I would recommend to draw this idea out on paper. Since you don't know nothing about web design or the web design business I would suggest getting a NDA (Non-disclosure agreement) and go to some reputable website design companies, get it signed, see what's involved and how much it would cost to develop such application.
If you do have the funds let them develop it and you concentrate on the marketing site of things.
Reply:For website and web design:
Try CityMax or Site Builder Designs, they have everything you need in building your own website: domain name registration, web hosting, web builder, site maintenance and email accounts. Everything is laid out in an easy to follow step by step instruction. Some of the features included enable you to add your own themes, videos, images or mp3 music making your site unique to you. Pricing is comparable and affordable too.
For business you can start out by getting a business license or permit by simply going to your local government office, they can assist you with all your needs...business name, license, which taxes you need to collect and submit and so on. I own a home business, I have a business license and have websites...in the beginning it can be scary and overwhelming but it really isn't. If you ever need assistance filling out forms, taxes or anything just give your local government office a call, they are there to help you.
I truly hope that I was of some help and answered your question.
Reply:You're an entrepreneur and need to embrace the things that make for a successful entrepreneur.
Step 1: Surround yourself with people that are experts at the things you're not. for example, a good banker contact; a good attorney, etc.
Step 2: Write a description of the web-based business you envision and see what web designers can do for you. Advertise this opportunity on the 37 Signals Gig Board. It's $100 but you'll garner the wisdom of good developers.
It's likely there will be lots of clarification conversations, but at least you'll get an accurate overview of what the project will entail.
Good luck!
Reply:It's hard to answer your question without knowing what you are trying to accomplish. For instance, is this site going to need a database? The webdesign part is easy if you know what you are doing.
If you want, click on my name and shoot me an email and I can throw some ideas back and forth to you.
I tried to send an email back to no avail so I'm going to place it here instead.
Hi,
The first thing I would do is research your market. This may take a
little while but it needs to be done. I don't think you would want to
spend the countless hours and money to invest in something that has
already
been created with an oversaturate market.
The site will definitely need a good niche to be
successful in todays market. There is a lot of competition out there.
It
I will list some steps for you as follows:
Step 1: Research your market - Is this market oversaturate?
Step 2: You need a plan! Fail to plan, plan to fail! Write all of your
ideas on paper. I.E - How is the site going to work? What kind of
market are you targeting? How will you generate cash flow? Paid
advertising?
Will there be a monthly subscription fee?
Step 3: Start laying out some screens with software or on paper. I
would suggest doing your own screen layouts. You may not know any web
design but you should be able to layout the system for somebody to get
an
idea of what you want accomplished.
When you have ALL of the screens laid out and documented on their
functions you will need to start on a database design. If you don't
know how
to design a database I would go to Elance or rentacoder and try to
find somebody to get the database built. I would hand them ALL of the
screen mockups so they can design your database correctly on the
functionality you would like.
As far as the web design is concerned you could probably find a free
open source template to work off of. There are a couple of sites with
free web templates you could use.
http://www.oswd.org/
http://www.openwebdesign.org/
And of course when everything is completed and ready to be rolled out
you will need to start an advertising campaign. You may need to adjust
your site for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). You could even write
E-Zines about your website and submit it to various tech sites hoping
it
will be published so millions of people can see!
Good luck!
Reply:I would recommend starting out with a website that is totally free and comes with free hosting. Zero cost to you. Comes with a building program that takes you step by step all the way. This is a super way to start and helps you learn the entire process. My site which is not quite finished, was developed from this same company. I ended upgrading with my site but you don't have to unless you desire to later on. Maybe in the future if you want to go big time. Just get the free site and work on it for awhile until you get experienced. You can work on it at your own pace. Hope this helps you out and best of luck. Just go to my site and remember I too started from scratch. www.websitebargainstore.com and click on the Information page. Best of luck!
Reply:These are all Great answers.
To help you our here is an offer:
1-Hosting space for you website
2-Free time for talking about your products or services.
3-Help with building your website.
4-Help in choosing the right domain name
5-Free advice on SEO and marketing
6-Free Advertising
Why do I make you this offer ?
Both of us will benefit from it.
Good luck
Guyco
http://adgroups.acatron.net
Reply:Write articles about your website or ideas.
Share your knowledge, use keywords.
Go ahead, advertise yourself.
Make your article Famous!
Invite others to read your article!
There are no rules.
It's free to join!
http://famouspages.info
Reply:You need to find out if your ideas are viable. Is there a market, how hard will it be to create, is there much competition, how you will market it. You could outsource the coding, go to elance.com and find someone to do the coding.
What if I have a website or internet business idea. But know nothing about web design or business.?
Your next step would be to get involved with a web host that will assist you in the designing/building of your website around your interests and ideas. There are a few great ones out there. I would suggest that you take a look at several options. First compare feature-by-feature then dollar-for-dollar. Doing this will ensure that you find the host that will fit your needs and get you the most out of your money. I personally enjoy the services of http://www.customized-by-you.com They have a great tutorial video on their site that explains the proper design/structure of a successful website.
BEST WISHES!
Reply:Time of execution is critical on the internet. Everybody is thinking of some awesome idea and is trying to be the new "Facebook or Youtube".
I would recommend to draw this idea out on paper. Since you don't know nothing about web design or the web design business I would suggest getting a NDA (Non-disclosure agreement) and go to some reputable website design companies, get it signed, see what's involved and how much it would cost to develop such application.
If you do have the funds let them develop it and you concentrate on the marketing site of things.
Reply:For website and web design:
Try CityMax or Site Builder Designs, they have everything you need in building your own website: domain name registration, web hosting, web builder, site maintenance and email accounts. Everything is laid out in an easy to follow step by step instruction. Some of the features included enable you to add your own themes, videos, images or mp3 music making your site unique to you. Pricing is comparable and affordable too.
For business you can start out by getting a business license or permit by simply going to your local government office, they can assist you with all your needs...business name, license, which taxes you need to collect and submit and so on. I own a home business, I have a business license and have websites...in the beginning it can be scary and overwhelming but it really isn't. If you ever need assistance filling out forms, taxes or anything just give your local government office a call, they are there to help you.
I truly hope that I was of some help and answered your question.
Reply:You're an entrepreneur and need to embrace the things that make for a successful entrepreneur.
Step 1: Surround yourself with people that are experts at the things you're not. for example, a good banker contact; a good attorney, etc.
Step 2: Write a description of the web-based business you envision and see what web designers can do for you. Advertise this opportunity on the 37 Signals Gig Board. It's $100 but you'll garner the wisdom of good developers.
It's likely there will be lots of clarification conversations, but at least you'll get an accurate overview of what the project will entail.
Good luck!
Reply:It's hard to answer your question without knowing what you are trying to accomplish. For instance, is this site going to need a database? The webdesign part is easy if you know what you are doing.
If you want, click on my name and shoot me an email and I can throw some ideas back and forth to you.
I tried to send an email back to no avail so I'm going to place it here instead.
Hi,
The first thing I would do is research your market. This may take a
little while but it needs to be done. I don't think you would want to
spend the countless hours and money to invest in something that has
already
been created with an oversaturate market.
The site will definitely need a good niche to be
successful in todays market. There is a lot of competition out there.
It
I will list some steps for you as follows:
Step 1: Research your market - Is this market oversaturate?
Step 2: You need a plan! Fail to plan, plan to fail! Write all of your
ideas on paper. I.E - How is the site going to work? What kind of
market are you targeting? How will you generate cash flow? Paid
advertising?
Will there be a monthly subscription fee?
Step 3: Start laying out some screens with software or on paper. I
would suggest doing your own screen layouts. You may not know any web
design but you should be able to layout the system for somebody to get
an
idea of what you want accomplished.
When you have ALL of the screens laid out and documented on their
functions you will need to start on a database design. If you don't
know how
to design a database I would go to Elance or rentacoder and try to
find somebody to get the database built. I would hand them ALL of the
screen mockups so they can design your database correctly on the
functionality you would like.
As far as the web design is concerned you could probably find a free
open source template to work off of. There are a couple of sites with
free web templates you could use.
http://www.oswd.org/
http://www.openwebdesign.org/
And of course when everything is completed and ready to be rolled out
you will need to start an advertising campaign. You may need to adjust
your site for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). You could even write
E-Zines about your website and submit it to various tech sites hoping
it
will be published so millions of people can see!
Good luck!
Reply:I would recommend starting out with a website that is totally free and comes with free hosting. Zero cost to you. Comes with a building program that takes you step by step all the way. This is a super way to start and helps you learn the entire process. My site which is not quite finished, was developed from this same company. I ended upgrading with my site but you don't have to unless you desire to later on. Maybe in the future if you want to go big time. Just get the free site and work on it for awhile until you get experienced. You can work on it at your own pace. Hope this helps you out and best of luck. Just go to my site and remember I too started from scratch. www.websitebargainstore.com and click on the Information page. Best of luck!
Reply:These are all Great answers.
To help you our here is an offer:
1-Hosting space for you website
2-Free time for talking about your products or services.
3-Help with building your website.
4-Help in choosing the right domain name
5-Free advice on SEO and marketing
6-Free Advertising
Why do I make you this offer ?
Both of us will benefit from it.
Good luck
Guyco
http://adgroups.acatron.net
Reply:Write articles about your website or ideas.
Share your knowledge, use keywords.
Go ahead, advertise yourself.
Make your article Famous!
Invite others to read your article!
There are no rules.
It's free to join!
http://famouspages.info
Reply:You need to find out if your ideas are viable. Is there a market, how hard will it be to create, is there much competition, how you will market it. You could outsource the coding, go to elance.com and find someone to do the coding.
What's the difference between web design and web development? What does a graphic designer do?
Web designers design webpages by using html
Web programmers program a webpage do do certain stuff with php, asp or jsp. For example, sites like Yahoo, Facebook and Google have a lot of other functions such as uploading and web programs (google docs)
It depends on the graphic designer he could be using vector gaphics, creating brochures, doing something in photoshop anything that has to do with images is a job of a graphic designer
What's the difference between web design and web development? What does a graphic designer do?
Web developing is program design. Web design is a graphic art - web designers are artists. (I can program anything the computer can do, but I can't design a straight line.)
Reply:Web design and web development are the same thing. A graphic designer designs graphics. Many times a graphic designer will design the look for a website and the programmer, (web designer) does the rest. A graphic designer can also do layouts for periodicals as well or just design logos's etc.
I've worked in the field for 10 years, a web designer and developer ARE one and the same.
Reply:Web Designer: The people who come up with cool looking designs and layouts for websites. They sometimes work with Graphic Designers to develop the images.
Web Developer: The people who code the backend of sites that run dynamic code using databases or AJAX, etc. This is much more in the line of programming than design.
Graphic Design: The people who make lots of pretty images that wow our minds when we see them. They work with Web Designers to help make the cool looking sites we love and enjoy.
Reply:as a web designer, I made great looking pages with the data and graphics provided
web developers made the mailboxes work, made the daily back ups of the servers, made payment software function, set up online chat rooms etc etc
one is 'front of the house' and the other is 'back of the house'
Reply:Well a graphic designer makes graphics, Like people who make myspace layouts. Web design is how settings, navigation, and stuff such as online purchases.
Web programmers program a webpage do do certain stuff with php, asp or jsp. For example, sites like Yahoo, Facebook and Google have a lot of other functions such as uploading and web programs (google docs)
It depends on the graphic designer he could be using vector gaphics, creating brochures, doing something in photoshop anything that has to do with images is a job of a graphic designer
What's the difference between web design and web development? What does a graphic designer do?
Web developing is program design. Web design is a graphic art - web designers are artists. (I can program anything the computer can do, but I can't design a straight line.)
Reply:Web design and web development are the same thing. A graphic designer designs graphics. Many times a graphic designer will design the look for a website and the programmer, (web designer) does the rest. A graphic designer can also do layouts for periodicals as well or just design logos's etc.
I've worked in the field for 10 years, a web designer and developer ARE one and the same.
Reply:Web Designer: The people who come up with cool looking designs and layouts for websites. They sometimes work with Graphic Designers to develop the images.
Web Developer: The people who code the backend of sites that run dynamic code using databases or AJAX, etc. This is much more in the line of programming than design.
Graphic Design: The people who make lots of pretty images that wow our minds when we see them. They work with Web Designers to help make the cool looking sites we love and enjoy.
Reply:as a web designer, I made great looking pages with the data and graphics provided
web developers made the mailboxes work, made the daily back ups of the servers, made payment software function, set up online chat rooms etc etc
one is 'front of the house' and the other is 'back of the house'
Reply:Well a graphic designer makes graphics, Like people who make myspace layouts. Web design is how settings, navigation, and stuff such as online purchases.
How good in demand is Web Design and/or Web developing?
How good in demand do front side web developers have as a job?
How good in demand is Web Design and/or Web developing?
It depends on the times. But most of the time a lot of big name companies are looking for qualified candidates.
Your best bet is to start with a smaller company and work your way up. My friend got hired on after graduating in the fall at $55,000 a year straight out of college.
How good in demand is Web Design and/or Web developing?
It depends on the times. But most of the time a lot of big name companies are looking for qualified candidates.
Your best bet is to start with a smaller company and work your way up. My friend got hired on after graduating in the fall at $55,000 a year straight out of college.
How much should I charge for web design projects per hour?
Obviously it depends on the project, but what range should I go for? I do html, css, asp, javascript, flash animations, the works...just trying to get a going rate for my start-out business. Thanks!
How much should I charge for web design projects per hour?
A good friend of mine with 15 years in print and digital publishing charges $30/hour for graphics, lyout, and design. For coding dynamic pages in asp or complex javascript she charges $40. I would place the flash in the $40 category.
For myself as a web application developer, strctly sticking to Asp.Net I bill at $60/hour. I also have a minimum 8 hours for a new client.
With my existing clients that send alot of work my way and pay on time, I dont bill for less than 30 so if they need somethign fast and simple I just give it to them. Its a good way too make sure they want to come back to you.
You can look at sites like monster.com or computerjobs.com and get an idea of what the rates are in your area.
Reply:I would call your local career college or technical college and ask someone in their graphics design program.
The biggest variable is going to be your portfolio. Potential clients are going to want to see what you have done.
Reply:The more you charge, the better caliber client you get... try starting high (around 70 dollars and hour) and work you way down... I always seem to get the work at a higher price... people feel like they are getting a better programmer if they pay more.
pollen
How much should I charge for web design projects per hour?
A good friend of mine with 15 years in print and digital publishing charges $30/hour for graphics, lyout, and design. For coding dynamic pages in asp or complex javascript she charges $40. I would place the flash in the $40 category.
For myself as a web application developer, strctly sticking to Asp.Net I bill at $60/hour. I also have a minimum 8 hours for a new client.
With my existing clients that send alot of work my way and pay on time, I dont bill for less than 30 so if they need somethign fast and simple I just give it to them. Its a good way too make sure they want to come back to you.
You can look at sites like monster.com or computerjobs.com and get an idea of what the rates are in your area.
Reply:I would call your local career college or technical college and ask someone in their graphics design program.
The biggest variable is going to be your portfolio. Potential clients are going to want to see what you have done.
Reply:The more you charge, the better caliber client you get... try starting high (around 70 dollars and hour) and work you way down... I always seem to get the work at a higher price... people feel like they are getting a better programmer if they pay more.
pollen
The biggest mistakes in web design - what to avoid?
In your eyes, what are the top 5 biggest web design mistakes? What would definitely cause you to leave a website - and visit no more?
The biggest mistakes in web design - what to avoid?
1. Lagging load times - limit graphics and splice them up into smaller more easily downloadable formats.
2. Lack of professionalism in design - Sites that look tacky will drive my business elsewhere.
Reply:slow loading
outdated content
terrible design
spelling errors
pages that do not work
Reply:Ditto to all of those.. But I would add bad spelling and language in the content to the list. And those pages that are nothing but links all jumbled together. And Bad contrast between text and background color. And clueless Flash design.. I think you get my drift..
Here's a site that hit the nail on the head for me.
http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com
Reply:the loading time bad graphics and pop ups
Reply:1) Page load times
2) Cheesy graphics (clipart)
3) Sounds the user can't turn off
4) Animation just for the sake of animation
5) Poor navigation
Not necessarily in that order
The biggest mistakes in web design - what to avoid?
1. Lagging load times - limit graphics and splice them up into smaller more easily downloadable formats.
2. Lack of professionalism in design - Sites that look tacky will drive my business elsewhere.
Reply:slow loading
outdated content
terrible design
spelling errors
pages that do not work
Reply:Ditto to all of those.. But I would add bad spelling and language in the content to the list. And those pages that are nothing but links all jumbled together. And Bad contrast between text and background color. And clueless Flash design.. I think you get my drift..
Here's a site that hit the nail on the head for me.
http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com
Reply:the loading time bad graphics and pop ups
Reply:1) Page load times
2) Cheesy graphics (clipart)
3) Sounds the user can't turn off
4) Animation just for the sake of animation
5) Poor navigation
Not necessarily in that order
Designers, how would you sever your relationship with a web design client?
Serious answers only please. I designed a website for and have revised and maintained the site for over 3 1/2 years for a client. I would like to give them "notice" to find someone else to take over. I'm terribly burned out on their site, I have other projects of my own I want to devote my time to, their site has grown so much they now need a database driven solution, and I simply want to cut down on the time I spend in front of my computer.
I assume I should send them a written letter, but how do I tactfully tell them to find someone else? (I've always found it difficult to say no.) What would YOU say?
Designers, how would you sever your relationship with a web design client?
Rather than doing it like a resignation, i'd suggest that you find them a replacement to take over your place. Outsource your work to another RELIABLE designer/developer. Leaving a project is not good for your portfolio and there are other ways you can tackle your problem rather than leaving them. You can gain more time by concentrating on the jobs that have high priority, and outsource the one's that you have difficulty maintaining. By outsourcing, you expand your network with other designers. Propose to your client that the maintainance of their site is going to cost a litlle more as they require a database. Draft out the cost and present it to them. If they are happy with the price, accept the project and outsource your work. Your profits might be little compared to when you were spearheading the project yourself. But look at in on the bright side. You not only keep the customer, but you manage to get more time for yourself to pursue your other projects. Hope my answer was helpful.
Reply:Hi
Joyaz,
i have the sam eproblem saying no, but in this case you must, unless you want to learn database backed web based application design, mysql and php.
I have the solution:
Get a quote form a relibale source to maintain it, and say to them that this person will do it, as you are overloaded, but it will be done, and ak them if thats ok!
So your a middle lady, and thats it!
You can still charge them, over time a rlelationship will build between them and this new person you have refered to them.
As has been the case between you and them initially.
good luck
aurevoir
Reply:just a letter like a 2 weeks notice you are leaving a job -- thank them for the opportunity etc and explain you are currently pursuing other paths and can't invest the time you feel is needed to keep them as a happy client. its always best to make it sound like its in their best interest to drop you. you definitely want to offer your services for a period of x amount of weeks so they can find a replacement. i would think 4 weeks would be more than enough though.
Reply:by using asp u can do that
I assume I should send them a written letter, but how do I tactfully tell them to find someone else? (I've always found it difficult to say no.) What would YOU say?
Designers, how would you sever your relationship with a web design client?
Rather than doing it like a resignation, i'd suggest that you find them a replacement to take over your place. Outsource your work to another RELIABLE designer/developer. Leaving a project is not good for your portfolio and there are other ways you can tackle your problem rather than leaving them. You can gain more time by concentrating on the jobs that have high priority, and outsource the one's that you have difficulty maintaining. By outsourcing, you expand your network with other designers. Propose to your client that the maintainance of their site is going to cost a litlle more as they require a database. Draft out the cost and present it to them. If they are happy with the price, accept the project and outsource your work. Your profits might be little compared to when you were spearheading the project yourself. But look at in on the bright side. You not only keep the customer, but you manage to get more time for yourself to pursue your other projects. Hope my answer was helpful.
Reply:Hi
Joyaz,
i have the sam eproblem saying no, but in this case you must, unless you want to learn database backed web based application design, mysql and php.
I have the solution:
Get a quote form a relibale source to maintain it, and say to them that this person will do it, as you are overloaded, but it will be done, and ak them if thats ok!
So your a middle lady, and thats it!
You can still charge them, over time a rlelationship will build between them and this new person you have refered to them.
As has been the case between you and them initially.
good luck
aurevoir
Reply:just a letter like a 2 weeks notice you are leaving a job -- thank them for the opportunity etc and explain you are currently pursuing other paths and can't invest the time you feel is needed to keep them as a happy client. its always best to make it sound like its in their best interest to drop you. you definitely want to offer your services for a period of x amount of weeks so they can find a replacement. i would think 4 weeks would be more than enough though.
Reply:by using asp u can do that
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