Web Site Pricing – What are you getting with that Package Deal?

If you’re in the market for a website re-design or new web design, you’ve probably been confronted with so many different price points. How do you know what you’re getting?

Package deals are often advertised and take a one-size-fits-all approach to the process. This can be great for a business just starting out, or one that needs a minimal web presence. For a business that has greater needs, requires a custom design, or needs specific functions or features – this may not be the best fit.

Let’s look at package price points, and what you can expect to receive.

You see ads where you can get a website for $100 or $249. What do you get for that? Well, it’s not custom, it’s typically based on a template. There are thousands of professional templates to choose from, with many different color schemes and styles. This type of site typically includes 2 to 3 pages, so you’ll get a home page, a services or product page and a contact page. This is a very basic website, but it is a web presence for your business. Better than nothing? Sure, as a start.

The next step up is usually in the up to $2,000 range. While still template based, you get a few more pages at this level, from 5 to 20. You also usually get access to additional stock photography images for use on your site, or you can provide your own images for use. This would allow you to explain your company’s services or products in more depth, give location directions, include an about us type page, etc. Usually you get a contact form at this level – which means visitors can submit a form with information that comes to your e-mail.

The next level up on design packages usually involves e-commerce. These typically start between $2,500 and $7,000 and go up depending on the number of products. At this cost level, you’ll be able to include from 50-200 products. Again, these are usually template based sites, not a full on custom design. Adding additional product items will cost extra, unless you are able to do all the necessary steps yourself. You’ll also have an expanded number of pages. Depending on the shopping cart system you’re using, you may need to purchase additional modules to get the functionality you require. You’ll also need a merchant’s account in order to accept payment on your site.

What if you need something that falls outside the typical package offerings?   Do you need:

• Custom design, not from a template maybe made to match a Photoshop design
• Customizations to your shopping cart – functions or features not included in your software, or don’t like the features of the cart offered with the package deals?
• Content Management System – so you can make updates to your site
• Integrating a Content Management System with a shopping cart giving you end to end editing capabilities.
• Adding a blog to an existing site, but maintaining the same look and feel
• A preview tool for your specific product line, allowing real time display of your customer’s selections before they buy.

Then you’re probably in the realm of custom work. Some customizations are simple and don’t add much to your cost. Some are more complex, or involve something that must be done to your unique specifications – this will add more to the overall cost. Every business has different needs. Can you integrate your less expensive template based site with some of these options? Maybe, but you probably won’t save much money.

The goal of creating your website shouldn’t be to save money, it’s to make money. Don’t skimp or cheap out and end up with a website that isn’t effective. It’s not about just having a web site, that’s only the first step. So, what’s it come down to? Planning. Goals. Testing. Marketing. Your site should be an important part of your marketing plans. After all, it’s the only part of your marketing that works when you are sleeping – make the most of it.