Sometimes-Asked-Questions
Some questions are asked frequently and some questions should be asked frequently, but people may be too embarassed to ask. I hope to add to the questions as more questions are asked.
How much does it cost to have a web site?
The cost depends on your needs and your budget. Sometimes a simple web presence is all that is needed. Other times, you need your web site to work for you and sell your product. This requires updates as well. As work continues on the site, there will be a cost for maintenance: you can pay me to maintain the site or I can train you how to make simple changes.
The prices below are exclusive of the hosting costs. That can add $30.00 to $100.00 a year, depending on your needs.
Single page website
Estimated cost: $250.00. If you are a new organization or new to the web, and looking for something simple and affordable, a single page website may be the place to start (you can always add to it later). A single page “brochure” website includes:
- Your logo presented at the top
- A description of your services
- A small variety of pictures illustrating your product or the results of your services
- A contact link where web visitors can e-mail you for more information
Click here to see a sample. Not ready yet.
4–6 page website
Estimated cost: $500.00 to $1250.00. If you have multiple products or you want the web visitor to focus on a particular subject, a better solution may be a 4–6 page website, all following a consistent design.
- A “brochure” page
- Links to the specialty pages
- Numerous images of your company
- Provide instructions on the use of your product
- Display a calendar of your schedule
- Include a user information request form
Click here to see a sample. Not ready yet.
Multi-page “Specialized” Website
Has your business or organization now reached a point where you need a full-blown website, with many sections and features? Every client has different needs. I will be glad to customize your new or existing site. I will be happy to offer a free estimate. Click here to see a sample.
How long does it take to build a web site?
The time required depends on the number of pages in your site and your involvement in the creation. I like to start with an interview and discuss what you want the site to do for you. At a minimum, expect 3-weeks from initial meeting to a functioning site.
What are your hourly rates?
The time required for some work can vary according to the site’s requirements. I have developed the following hourly rates to cover that kind of work.
- $25 per hour for hosting selection/domain registration/domain transfer. Setting up a website is where it all begins. I will secure your spot on the web.
- $50 per hour for e-mail managements, box configuration and group lists. Every website needs a communication tool. I will establish a professional e-mail appearance with personalized e-mail addresses.
- $50 per hour for content development and editing. Not sure what competitors are offering on their web sites? I will research and draft the content geared to your market.
- $25/hour for design. Four hour minimum. Your website reflects who you are and what you do. After an interview, I will create designs options for you to review and choose what reflects your image.
- $75 per hour for web page development/coding. A website is only as good as it functions. I will build your site and turn your ideas into a reality.
- $150 per hour for custom programming (Perl, CGI, Javascript, PHP, Flash). Your website is customized for you. Sometimes a feature may require custom programming. If necessary, I will consult with outside resources to properly code the application you need.
- $50 per hour for on-going website maintenance. The minimum charge is for 12 minutes (1/5 of an hour), billed when charge accumulate to 1 hour. Corrections and enhancements are inevitable and I will apply the changes as needed.
- $75 per hour for custom interfaces and training. Posting content such as upcoming events or monthly schedules greatly enhance your web site. I will create a site that allows you to maintain your own information and post it to the web yourself. I will consult with you on software recommendations and provide training.
- SSL certificate/shopping carts/e-commerce. Contact me for details.
- Blogs/Content management systems (CMS)/Wikis/Bulletin boards. Contact me for details and a description of what you have in mind. Related Services
- $50 per hour for photography. Good photos greatly enhance the site and I can work with you to take pictures for your site.
- On-line newsletters. Negotiable. Contact me for details and a description of what you have in mind.
What software have you used?
Based on a survey on a contracting site, I have taken the results and added applications and skills they did not cover.
Proficient Skills
I have used these applications within the last five years. Some I am more proficient in than others.
- Adobe Creative Suite 2, 4 & 5
- Adobe Acrobat/Distiller
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Lightroom
- Adobe Photoshop
- Bourne Shell, Korn Shell, C-Shell
- Corel Draw Graphics Suite
- Corel Capture
- Corel Draw
- Corel Paint
- Corel Trace
- Corel Painter
- FTP/FileZilla, ZMODEM
- Handmade Software's Image Alchemy, Alchemy Tools
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Visual Basic (VBA)
- Microsoft Word
- Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Opera, Google Chrome, Apple Safari
- Quicken
- Skype
Familiar Skills
I have experience with these applications. I've used them several years ago or used them where I was working. I'm familiar with a version of these applications.
- Apago PDF Enhancer
- File Recovery software
- Fiery Color Engines
- ISI Tools (PDF)
- Lotus 1-2-3
- OCR Software
- SourceSafe
- Type Manager
- WordPerfect
Web technology
I have experience with these web technologies and applications. No one can know everything about these topics, so I won't label myself as an expert, but I am not intimidated by any of them.
- Cascade Styling Sheets (CSS2) (Learning CSS3)
- HTML4 (Learning HTML5)
- CGI Programs and Scripts
- Drupal
- Facebook, Facebook advertising
- Google AdWords
- Google Mail, Thunderbird, Outlook
- HTML, DHTML, XHTML, SHTML
- Java Script/jQuery
- JOOMLA
- Perl
- PHP
- SGML
- MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server
- UNIX, Linux, IRIX, AIX, BSD, Sun OS, DGUX
- Web Page Creation Software
- Wiki, TWIKI, Confluence
- WordPress
- XML, XSL, XSLT
File formats
I have worked with these formatting languages and can speak to the advanated and disadvantages of the formats.
- JPG, TIFF
- GIF, PNG
- PostScript, PDF, PDF/X
- 1-bit, 8-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit and other image files, compressed and uncompressed
- RGB, CMYK Indexed color