What does a web site cost?

As you would imagine, the cost for assembling and maintaining a web site varies according to it's content. A very simple 5-page "Mom and Dad"-type of site is obviously less expensive than a full-blown business-type site, with ongoing article updates, etc..

I'm an independent artist who specializes in helping other artists and art-related organizations get their content on the web, so more people can see it. To do that, I must maintain my computer, software, internet connection, etc., but otherwise my overhead is lower than traditional design shops. That's why I can offer my services at very low prices, compared to those shops.

I've been able to do the initial build (the most expensive part) of most of my artists friends' web sites for between $800 and $1000. (figured at 25 to 30 hours, at $35 per hour.) Once that's done, maintenance costs are relatively low.

Note: I've stuck to these prices for over 5 years, while my costs have gradually increased. As of January 1st, 2008, my new price will be $40 per hour.

Here are the steps to getting on the web:

• Set up your space: You'll need a domain name (ex. "your_site.com") and a "hosting plan", which provides the space where all your files will reside on the internet. This is not paid to me. You buy it, and you own it. Today, you can typically buy a domain name for $8.95 per year or less, and a very nice hosting plan for $20 per month or less. I can help with some recommendations, and can even do this for you, if you like. When you consider that you're then able to get your message to several billion people on the planet, it's the most inexpensive method of advertising, by far.
• Concept: Next, we collect all your media, including your text, images, movies, etc., and organize them according to the "feel" you're looking for. We pick a color scheme, fonts, and other "style" items. As you've seen in my demos here, these can be changed later, if you like.
• Assembly: This is the technical stage, where I prepare your material for the web, compressing images, converting the text to XHTML, check all the links, test it in various browsers, etc., and preview it to you privately, before posting it for the public.
• Maintenance: Updates, as you see fit (weekly, monthly, etc.) This is inexpensive, since at this stage, we'll have a "template"-type setup into which most updates can fit without too much effort. If you prefer, this maintenance can be passed to you or someone else who has the ability to do it.

Email me if you have such a project in mind, and we can discuss specifics.