Top Local Web Design in NashvilleHow To Build A Web Design Quote
Author : Raychle Searfoss
When building a quote for website design, it is important to know first how to build a website, the pieces involved in the process, and what elements of website design should be included. Here is where to start.
Even though the creative aspect of website design, such as web programming and graphic design, are enjoyable aspects of the job of a website designer, productive project management as well as foresight are extremely important for those looking to become successful as a freelance webmaster. To ensure smooth relations between the web designer and the client, it is essential to manage all expectations. As a webmaster, you need to supply the client with a comprehensive website project outline clearly stating all the specific tasks that are to be performed, the cost of each individual task, the due date of all payments, and the estimated date of project completion. In this outline, content and items the client needs to supply for the project, such as text and photos, must be made clear.The Breakdown of a Website Design Quote
A website design, as the service provider, only has a specific amount of time during the day to eke out a living. This is why website designers need to base their project quote using an hourly rate method and then multiply the rate by the estimated number of hours it will take for the project to be completed. Always record the time spent on every component of the project to see how long it takes. Once you do this a few times, you will become much more efficient at determining the amount of time it takes to do something and how to manage time effectively. The more projects done, the more efficient the website design business will become. After awhile, what used to take five hours to complete may now only take three hours.Please keep in mind that for this article, it is assumed that the client is required a straight-forward ten page websites with minimal additions. It is also assumed for the sake of this article that the client provided all necessary copy they want on the website. Although the actual time for every component of designing a website can vary depending on the specific situation, below some sample times are given for general use of discussion.
The Website Design
A majority of websites come with a general design that includes a number of different templates that are used throughout the entire website. This often includes a navigation-like system with a number of links connecting to the other pages in the website, as well as general footer and header design. A number of clients may request a more stylized start page, such as Flash animation, on their website.When determining this section of the total quote, it is necessary to consider that the client will most likely have requests to change items throughout the process. Estimate the time it will take to do this part of the project and then multiply that number by 1.5. This will accommodate additional time spent editing the website design.
Let us say for this article, it will take an estimated 6.5 hours to fully develop the website design for the client. We then multiply the time it will take by 1.5 in order to cover changes requested by the client. So 6.5 hours multiplied by 1.5 will equal a total of 9.75 hours.
The Website Pages
A majority of websites contain a very specific number of website pages that are static, along with database fed pages or dynamic pages. As previously mentioned, this sample website contains ten static pages and there is no database included with this project.A majority of website pages usually contain text and a few images. When preparing a quote for these pages, it is important to think about the actual content being placed on every webpage and the level of contribution you are expected to put in. It is also necessary to consider that the client may request additional changes. Your general estimate for ten pages may be an hour per page. To be safe and to cover all potential changes, make that number 1.5 hours. Ten pages multiplied by 1.5 hours equals a total of 15 hours.
Special Features
Each and every website is unique in some manner and your client may want a number of different special features on their website. Some special features include, javascript functionality, content management systems that are built in, blogs, database configuration, inserting products within a database, shopping cars, and contact forms.Always make certain to itemize all add-on features separate from one another in the website design quote. This is done to protect yourself as sometimes small features that you may think will not take long to complete may take up additional time that you did not allot for on the quote. Always charge consultation time as well, especially when the client wants research and customized solutions.
For the sample website project we have going on, we assume that the client is looking for one contact form without additional consultation time. We also make the assumption that we need .75 hours to set the contact form up on the website and test it out. Luckily, there are a number of free, ready-made PHP, ASP, and CGI contact form scripts readily available to select from with can then be used to install the functionality on the website.
Web Host Configuration and Registration of Domain Name
When developing a website design quote, it is important to include web host configuration. Although some clients may already be in possession of a website hosting account, other clients may want you to find them a web hosting company and sign them up. As well, there are some clients that will want to transfer their existing domain name to another web hosting account from the current one.Always remain extremely caution when you have a client that requires that you transfer their existing domain name to a new account on a web hosting server. Doing this task is sometimes looked at a black hole because it is very time consuming. There is many times where the client does not know the registered location of the domain name, requiring you to first track down that information using what is known as a WholS search. For a good during this search, check out GoDaddy.com. Once the domain registrar company has been located, get the login information. Do not be surprised if the client does not possess this information. You will have to fill out the form for a lost username and password or directly call the company for the information. Due to privacy issues, often the domain registrar company will send all the login information required to the email address listed on file. With any luck, the email address will be one that is still active. If it is not active, the client will have to directly speak with the registrar to gather the information and give it to you. After this, login to the account of the domain name and update all the DNS settings for the new server. This is a long process that should be avoided if at all possible. If you have to go down this route, be prepared to change between three and five hours to carry out the entire process. Often times, it is a beneficial idea to change the service at a directed hourly rate for as much time necessary to complete the task. It is essential to explain to the client why this part of the process takes so long as they may not understand and want you to justify the cost.
When it comes to our sample quote, we are going to assume that the client requires us to set up a brand new web hosting account. If a new account is being set up with the web hosting service you own, you might want to consider kicking this in for free since you will be earning the revenue from web hosting fees either on a monthly or yearly basis. If you do not own a web hosting service, charge the client an hour to completely set up a new web hosting account. If you want, you can add an additional 15 minute per email address given to you by the client that they want you to create. Remember that you will have to give the client all the login information so they can test the accounts.
The total for our sample quote will include set up and two email addresses. This would be one hour of setup, plus .5 hours for two email accounts, which equals 1.5 hours.
The client is also requested to have a domain name that is registered for them. Often times, it is possible to register the domain name with the same server the web hosting was set up at. Estimate another 30 minutes to register as well as configure the domain name. This would bring the total to two hours.
Total for the Website Design Quote
Once all the general tasks including with building a website are itemized, it is time to add up the total for the quote of sample ten page web design for the client:- Web design – 9.75 hours
- Web pages – 10 pages at 1.5 hours per page equals 15 hours
- Special features – one contact form at .75 hours
- Web hosting setup – 3 hours
- Email address set up – two at .35 hours equals 0.7 hours
- Registration of domain name – 3 hours
- Total hours for project – 27.7 hours