Obviously, this is an important question. When some one asks me that I usually answer with another question: 'How much does a house cost?'. Just like that, the predictable conversation begins. I have been asked "How Much Does a Website Cost?" about a million times and I always give the same analogy. Some houses cost much more than others; some houses have many bedrooms and bathrooms and other high-end features where others may have just one bedroom, one bathroom, and no-frills appointments. Some houses are built with better materials and according to higher standards than the run-of-the-mill cookie-cutter subdivision dwelling. Websites are similar. Sure, they aren't built out of brick, mortar, and lumber but the outcome of the final product is highly dependent on the skill of a builder that uses the best tools for the job. If you were in the market for a house, you would shop around to find the best deal wouldn't you? But would you buy the cheapest "house" you could find or would you purchase the best product in your price range that meets your needs?

The going rate for web design can vary greatly. It is entirely possible to find someone that will build you a website for $100. It is also possible to find someone that would charge you $10,000 to build that same site. Why is that? Why would the range of costs vary so much? Well, those rock bottom prices are typically from "designers" who:

• are in high school, living in their parent's basement
• have very little experience and even less expertise
• create inferior products (and don't even know it!)
• work in India, in a web design sweat shop

So what? Why should you care about any of those factors? Because that's the true cost of web design. Would you want the same kid next door building your house? Do you think they have the same tools and experience of a field-seasoned professional? Of course not, but this is just a website, right? In a word, NO! You need a product that performs well. There are many, many factors that contribute to a successful website; in the least it should :

• be built according to web standards
• work in all browsers (not everyone browses the web the same way)
• be optimized for search engines; that is, your site actually appears in search results
• be appealing to your target audience
• utilize metrics to help you measure performance
• accommodate new technologies
• be available as a content management system to give you control of your site

Can your low-end designer give you that? No, and they don't even know it.  But does that necessarily mean you have to spend a fortune on your website? Probably not, unless you are a corporation or enterprise level entity seeking to develop a large-scale, complex business platform.

What would I do in your situation if I needed a website? I would shop around. Ask questions. If a designer won't answer questions, then move on...they either don't know the answer or don't think your questions are important. Gather information so you can make an informed decision. If you don't use my services, at least you'll be informed enough to use a professional that's promoting good practices in my field. If you'd like to ask me some questions, click here or send me an email: