>>
Getting
started with your own DIY website
For many businesses
a simple, cost effective approach like DIY is all they need
(and want) - it gives you a professional online presence that
you can expand on as and when you need to.
And it includes the web hosting, domain name and design service
all in one easy package.
You build the web site using step-by-step wizards - a bit like
using your favourite word processor. One of the other great
things about using a Web Site Builder is that you can update
and maintain the web site yourself without incurring any additional
cost.
If you are little bit more technical then there is also web
authoring software such as FrontPage and Dreamweaver that are
extremely novice friendly and it’s not hard to learn the
basics.
If you’d rather become more proficient, take advantage
of the short courses offered by many Universities and Poly-techs.
There are courses in web authoring, html, building your website
from scratch and design for the web.
You can also get help at any stage of building your site. If
you think you’re over your head, get onto the Internet
and find some like-minded people who can help you with your
queries. You could join a newsgroup to ask questions about building
your site. Remember, it’s never too late to get help.
While it may cost you more than you’d planned, sometimes
it’s worth calling in a professional to help you tweak
the site at the end. You don’t want to waste all your
hard work after all! Get
Help. If you are at an intermediate level of web design you
may want to design your website in HTML, but need a bit of
help to complete the project or fix any bugs. If this is the
case call us on 0800 366 2469 and ask for more information
on our Website Assistance service and book a session with
one of our qualified developers to walk you through any development
stages.
Developing a website.
>> How much does it cost?
Unless
you are purchasing a fixed price solution, prices can range
depending on the calibre of the web design you have chosen,
and the type and size of solution you are after.
A typical
small business website can range from between $500.00 for
a basic site including hosting and domain name, to over $40,000
for an integrated e-commerce and business resource planning
tool. Larger projects usually begin at around $20,000, and
quite easily push to 6 or 7 figures, given these projects
are quite often integrated to existing (legacy) IT systems
or core marketing activities.
If your
project has the potential to increase revenues or reduce costs,
then work on a return on investment (ROI) basis. A site that
costs you $40,000 to produce, but produces more than $40000
in ‘value’ to the business over the course of
a year is entirely viable for ANY business. Work with your
developer early to discuss the ROI potential for your project.
Other
activities, such as online advertising, email campaigns, competition
websites etc can cost between $2000 and $10,000 to implement.
When dealing
with potential developers or a chosen partner, provide a definitive
brief and request an itemised breakdown of hours and rates.
Industry standard rates are anywhere between $80 and $200
per hour depending on the designer/developer. Remember, you
do get what you pay for, but without fully understanding both
your requirements and the process to be undertaken, mistakes
can be made if the fit between developer and client is sorely
inadequate.
In brief, developing a website
involves purchasing the following services:
| Service |
Average
cost |
A
domain name (your website address)
|
$50
to $100 per year
|
A
Web hosting account
|
From
$150 to $3000/ year depending on specifications
|
| Web
Design service |
From
at least $500.00 for a basic website, up to over $10,000
|
| Ongoing
support Whether you are thinking of making changes to
your website or b need help with setting up the hosting
ongoing support can be an additional cost to consider. |
From
$75.00/hour |
How
to reduce cost.
If
you want to achieve significant cost saving on your web development
than you need to look at your web hosting and web design costs.
An effective way to cut down on web hosting costs is to establish
whether you are using the hosting plan that’s right
for you. You may have been set up with a feature rich web
hosting plan that your website doesn’t really need.
For example there is no point buying a 750MB hosting plan
if your website only uses 200MB. Or a website hosting plan
that supports ASP, or other advanced scripting languages,
if your site is developed in simple HTML.
Call us to request a free web hosting
assessment. 0800 366 2469
How
to create a successful website, basic tips:
1)
Display relevant content.
• Target the content to your audience.
• Use concise style and short sentences.
• Check the spelling is correct.
2) Update content regularly.
• Show the date of your last updates.
• Check regularly for broken links.
3) Make your website easy to navigate.
• Use navigation aids such as 'next' or 'back' links.
• Use a 'website map' page.
• Do not change your links too often.
4) Get the design right.
• Ensure your website has a consistent look and feel.
• Do not overload pages, with content, links and graphics.
• Avoid using dark backgrounds.
For more
information call our Online Solutions Team on 0800
366 2469 or contact us on getonline@domainz.net.nz
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