Pricing
What’s all this going to cost?
It’s so confusing. Many other internet professionals charge so much more.
Why are your prices so low? Are there hidden charges?
Basically, each client has different needs and the cost will vary somewhat depending on the size of the website, the services and optimization level chosen, and complexity of the content.
During the last 6 months the internet has changed dramatically. Anyone can build their own website and even have their own unique domain name (URL) for free. There are some limitations, of course; but it is quite possible to have a very nice site without spending a nickel.
With this new leap in the sociability of web technology, it is clear to me that my job as a designer is changing. Yes. Websites must still look nice; that hasn’t changed. However, they need to have more focus on usability, accessibility, and optimization for search engines. If a site loads slowly or is improperly tagged it will be completely over looked by the search engines and most visitors will click on down the line. We have become a very impatient culture.
More than ever the small businesses and enterprises NEED to be on the internet. Wireless and Cell access to the internet means it is far easier to look up something on the internet than to find the Yellow Pages. There is a growing awareness that a web presence equates with legitimacy more so than having a business license and dollar on the wall.
The cost of not having a nice, well-designed, optimized web site is by far greater to any business.
That is exactly where I come in. This is my area of expertise - domains, hosting, design, usability, accessibility, and optimization. There is no one perfect solution for all. The paradigm changes daily. When you ask me to help you with your website, you are hiring a professional and can be assured that you aren’t in for any unpleasant surprises. I want my business to be successful as much as you want yours to be.
Every site needs:
- Domain
- Hosting service
- design/presentation
- content
- optimization
- promotion
- Email (I include a premium email service with each website I host)
For a small one to 3 page website the cost may be no more than $150 for design and $70 hosting/domain with a recurring charge for hosting/domain on an annual basis. After the first year, maintenance and updates will be contracted at a reasonable rate based on your need. Examples of these sites are:
Additional optimization, submission to search engines, promotion beyond what I normally do for all my clients is an additional expense option. Or sometimes, you can allow me to advertise through your site and I will provide additional services in exchange.
You supply the content. Usually, clients email the photos, text, etc to me. I will also accept it on a disc and will gladly scan photos for you at no additional fee (read I HATE bookkeeping). If I need to type your copy by hand, you run the risk of errors. I prefer to cut, copy, paste text.
Additionally, you may also wish to consider these offerings for your site:
- online forms
- shopping cart
- forum
- blog
- content management system - you do your own updates
- photo gallery
- Adsense/TextAds/PayPerClick
- Print quality graphics for brochures, business cards, letterhead…
I can promise you get more bang for your buck with Lazytea. I cannot promise a fast turnaround on new designs for everyone. I get to updates and new sites in the order I am paid. If you need a website up in a hurry to sell puppies or grand opening or even expected increase in site traffic then be sure to tell me and I’ll make every effort to get it done.
Because I work from home while also caring for my children who are educated at home, I do not have the high overhead of most internet professionals. I have no minimum to pay out to stay in business. THAT is why my rates are so low. And, yes (some people really have asked this) you are on the REAL internet.
Best way to know exactly what your website will cost is to ask me for a quote. Be sure to detail as specifically as possible what your think you need. If you’re not sure, feel free to tell me that as well. I’d love to hear from you.
