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Understanding Website Costs

Speak up if you understand the 5 costs of a website. 


Anyone?


It's unusual for us to meet a business owner who has a good understanding of the various costs of a website.


So let's use an analogy of a home - something most of us can understand fairly well - to review those costs.

1. First, you need a house.


Creating the website is somewhat like building a house.


Just as your architect will do for the future home, the designer will review your needs and preferences to create the plans and "artist's conception" for what will become the end result, on some land that has been set aside for that purpose.


The builder (website developer) will then use their industry's best practices and appropriate materials to turn the plans into the house (website).


Costs... usually a single expense, arranged with your web team as you get started.

2. A house isn't a home without furniture.


Once the house (website) is built, it needs "furniture" to make those empty rooms (pages) livable.


That "furniture" consists of the text and images that get carefully placed, according to the original plans. Maybe you have that stuff already, or maybe you buy it, or hire someone to make it for you.


Costs... typically you will supply your own, so no cost for that. Your web designer will perhaps supplement your images with no- or low-cost stock images. You might choose to hire a writer and/or photographer, usually as a separate arrangement with those professionals.

3. What? It costs just to be there?


Once things are the way you want them, there are other costs.


For a house and the land it site on, it's the HOA dues, the property taxes, insurance, water, electricity, and other utilities.  Maybe you decide to add some optional extras... cable TV and Internet,  a mowing service, a security system, and perhaps a pest control service.


For your website, it is the hosting, and the domain name. Maybe you decide to include some optional extras such as an appointment scheduling system, accessibility and privacy compliance services, and perhaps a "feed" of your best reviews.


Costs... these are usually recurring (monthly or yearly) expenses. The optional items are typically arranged through your web team with other providers.

4. Cleaning, redecorating, and preparing for a special event.


Maybe you want things cleaned up, or you want to add or change things around. It might be for a special event, or maybe you want to add or remove some stuff.


These are often things you can choose to do yourself, or perhaps you will decide to hire a crew that has the tools and experience to these things a lot quicker than you can, while you focus on other priorities.


Costs... nothing (except your time) if you choose to do it yourself. If you decide to pay to have it done, it can be just whenever you decide is needed at the time, or you might prefer arrange a monthly arrangement (usually less costly than "on request" services). It's your call.

5. Having the best among all your neighbors!


Are you shooting for "lawn of the month", or wanting your website to show up to people looking for what you offer (SEO)?


It is sort of the same thing. There are "basics" that should be taken care of even if you aren't trying to compete, and there are a lot of both big and small things that need to be addressed if you want to outshine your competition.


Costs... Little to nothing if you aren't trying to compete. Otherwise, expect recurring monthly costs. It's going to be easier (and a lot less costly) to be the best in your own neighborhood, compared with competing for best in your state, or beyond.

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