Why do I need a web site for my business? What is it going to cost me?
Here's some simple questions to ask yourself when considering a web site for your business, and a web developer. We're honest with you - we're not for everyone. If you want to do heavy e-commerce, ASP, Flash, or heavy multi-media, chances are you're going to want a different developer than CowSpot. But if your site needs are smaller, needing an online informational presence, then we're your guys.
10 questions:
1) Do I frequently receive inquiries about my business for which I need to send information via e-mail or regular mail? If so, an informational web site for your business can really help. You'll save money (on stamps, fed ex, printing, etc.), and you will have a flexible resource that is easy to keep fresh and updated, when you have an informational web site.
2) Does my business have a need to communicate consistent, fresh information to my clients or customers? An informational web site can help fill that need - your site can be updated as much or as little as needed to keep things current with your business. This is especially crucial for consulting-type professional businesses such as accounting and consulting firms, law firms, etc. Online newsletters and fresh/seasonal information on your site helps build your business as a partner to your clients.
3) Does my business have forms or other tools that we use with our customers and clients that we are constantly sending out? Again, this is a function that can be put on the web. Whether a profile form, a request form, etc., all can be put on the web for downloading, or built into online forms that automatically e-mail their contents to you.
4) Is my potential customer audience much larger than just my local community? A web site is always global - anyone anywhere can find your information online. If your business knows no geographic limits, a web site is essential to your success and growth.
5) Are my clients technologically-oriented, or at the very least, reliant on online communications? If so, you probably already have a web site, and if not, you need one now!
6) Do I rely on client testimonials and/or images to help me get new business? Web sites are perfect for this! If you get a new testimonial, you just put it up on the site. Photo albums of work for businesses like home remodelers, landscapers, artists, decorators, etc. are great ways to showcase your capabilities.
7) I already have a web site, but I don't think it looks good or serves our business well. Is it time to rework it? That's the beauty of web marketing - no paper and ink investment. If you built a site already, but you think it needs freshening, we can guarantee that you're not the only one thinking that. We're happy to provide a no-cost/no obligation critique of your current site.
8) I don't know if I can afford a web site? Can I? Before we answer with the question, "can you not afford it?", click here for a snapshot of what a typical 10-20 page site can cost through Cowspot.net.
9) I'm not technically savvy, and hate computers. How can I have a web site? Easy! Let us do the work! You tell us what you want it to say and the content you need, and we do the rest. If you seriously never want to touch a computer to even look at it, we'll send you printouts of the site for you to review! We make it easy!
10) Do my competitors have web sites? If so, then you must too! Very simple.
Cowspot.net's Typical Site Costs:
We work on an "estimate/bill at actual" basis with our clients. Our base hourly rate is $85/hour. Going into the project, we estimate the number of hours it's going to take to create and build your site, and provide you this as a cost estimate. Then when it comes to "go" time, we write up a detailed scope of work document that outlines the work to be done, and put the estimate to it, you sign off, and we get to work. If the work sticks to the scope agreed upon up front, then the project will always come in at or slightly under estimate. If additional work is specified as the project moves forward, then we will estimate/scope that work and add it to the project. You always know where you stand.
Ok, that's all nice, what does it take?
For a typical 10-20 page site, plan on 4-6 hours for design and site integration planning, 2 hours per page for copywriting and page development, 4-6 hours for overall site cleanup, final editing, and 1-3 hours for publishing and testing. If you have photos to place in the site, and provide them to us as digital files, then add 1 hour for every 4 pictures for sizing and optimizing for web use. If you provide them in print format for scanning, then make that 1 hour for every 2 photos. If you bring your own copywriting, then the per page time will cut to 1-1.5 hours per page.
A typical site project usually consumes 20-30 hours or $1700-$2500 from start to finish. So, not so bad, right?
Hosting and Domains:
Cowspot.net doesn't provide hosting services or Domain services, although we will be happy to arrange them for you, charging both to a credit card number you provide, or if you're uncomfortable giving us your credit card number, we will be happy to sit with you on the phone or in person and help you arrange the domain and hosting yourself. For a typical informational business web site, with need for up to 50 e-mail addreses, be prepared to pay between $100 and $400/year, plus $35/year for your domain. Since we don't sell these, we don't mark them up. We work with a variety of hosting companies and will strive to find the one that gives you the best functionality for your hosting dollar.
Maintenance:
We're happy to work out a maintenance agreement with you. Typically these are in the form of a small monthly retainer that covers a few hours of work each month. As long as the work falls "around" that guideline of a few hours each month, we will be fine. We can also go just straight time/ala carte for hours. If you contract with us for a year for ala-carte, we'll cut you a deal.
Summary:
We're very flexible. If you don't like the terms above but like us, let us know and let's see if we can find some middle ground.