[webproducers] Re: cost to create a website?

Very cute no-flakepaint.com site -- unique design.

I agree with you about modern coding practices (why I don't code anymore,
lol).  In fact, now that I don't code anymore, the launch of my new site
www.beunderstood.com/beta is on hold until I find someone to make a few last
changes to the site (search integration and some font consistency issues,
right margin inside the right navigation boxes, and layout of the articles
and resources pages).  The content is driven from several movable type
blogs.

This site is so different than anything I have ever done in the past -- 
static embedded tables type sites.

~Darren


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrew Boardman" <boardman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 12:20 PM
Subject: [webproducers] Re: cost to create a website?


> This has been a very illuminating discussion about pricing, producing, and
> designing.  I want to make a pitch that clients need to also be educated
> around the true costs of solid integration of design, interface, and
> production.
>
> Many people can make a site with 20 embedded tables (I used to do it
myself)
> but clean, structured XHTML is the way of the future and combined with
smart
> CSS, a client can much more easily modify, update, and manage a site.  It
> costs more to do it this way, but it's because good web practices in this
> day and age demand integrity and short- and long-term planning.  For
> instance, I'll never make "a site that looks like crap" -- it's not in me
> and it's not good business strategy for my company.
>
> Regards,
>
> Andrew.
>
> -- 
> Andrew Boardman
> MANOVERBOARD.
> http://www.manoverboard.com
> T 718 809-2085
> F 718 504-4070
>
>
> > From: "Michael Shirey" <mshirey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Reply-To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 03:09:36 -0500
> > To: <webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: [webproducers] Re: cost to create a website?
> >
> > I always like to make certain points in any "give me a ballpark"
> > conversation;
> >
> > 1 - I am small business and make decent small business sites.  If you
> > want something big and flashy, I am not an appropriate choice.
> >
> > 2 - I will design the site so that it is structured intelligently, has a
> > consistent look and feel, and adheres to industry standards (no frames,
> > appropriate keyword etc set-up, consistent font that is NOT Times New
> > Roman, colors that do not make the retinas bleed.......)
> >
> > 3 - If you really want a site that looks like crap, I will argue with
> > you, but I am capable of doing it...and will likely charge more to make
> > the crap.
> >
> > I am comfortable with giving out ballpark figures, but try to do so with
> > sufficient warning.  I have found that the answer "There is just no way
> > to tell how much without 50 more questions answered." does not make
> > people feel comfortable.  I also never give a ballpark figure as an
> > actual estimate.  Finally, I typically follow up my ballpark figures
> > with a string of "if you want flash....if you want graphics
> > manipulated....if you want forms......" cost disclaimers.
> >
> > People always nod with understanding.  I'm sure the only thing they hear
> > is the figure.  "Blah blah blah, Ginger....."
> >
> > Michael Shirey
> > Maertz Technical Consulting
> > http://www.maertz.net
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: webproducers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > [mailto:webproducers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of morry
> > Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 1:40 AM
> > To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: [webproducers] Re: cost to create a website?
> >
> > This is an interesting point. I have worked with clients who thought
> > that
> > design was just about cosmetics and that they really didn't matter that
> > much. Of course this perception is often I see the need for premature
> > redesigns.
> >
> > Good design is more than a pretty face and isn't about just picking
> > colors.
> > Often times just having something up can do more harm than good. Be it
> > online or off good design helps a client to get their message through
> > but
> > also can help get and retain clients.  This reminds me of the study done
> > on
> > retail merchandising and customer shopping habits. A retailer might
> > argue
> > that they don't need fancy over priced merchandisers and designers to
> > decide
> > where products should go and how they are displayed but that's short
> > sighted
> > and can cost them business. Good designers know that shoppers tend to
> > walk
> > in and go to the right immediately and we also know from retail
> > observations
> > that a majority of female shoppers will move away from a display and
> > even
> > leave a store if they get bumped into by other shoppers or other
> > displays
> > are too close.
> >
> > We can certainly see the argument for just putting the stock out there
> > if
> > the shopping area isn't "designed" appropriately and isn't appealing on
> > many
> > levels then you risk losing business (if we're talking commercial).
> >
> > Good design is rhetoric and is part of an overall strategic plan to be
> > sure
> > your goal is reached. The old form vs. function argument has become more
> > and
> > more blurred over the years. In his new book, Donald Normal backtracks
> > on
> > his positing in a previous book in light of research proving what good
> > designers have been saying all along- "pretty things work better."
> >
> > 4) i'm not sure you need to bring "big guns" of a professional
> > design firm to this project for a 20 page corporate site UNLESS
> > the company is really serious about its image and content. a lot
> > of companies don't care and as long as the final product isn't
> > horrid, they'll be happy with having something up rather than a
> > professionally designed masterpiece.
> >
> >
> >
> >
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