What does a professional website cost?

Tulipone

Tulipone

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Chris
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After a period of unemployment, I have decided that my best avenue is to setup on my own. Not photography, more IT security. Not something I want to do, but changing employment swim lanes seems far less simple than I had imagined.

I am content buying my own domain name and appropriate ones are available. What I don't want to do is to put up my own shoddy efforts, I need a pro to help with the design and production. Before I get involved, or get someone else involved, I'd like to have an idea of ballpark prices.

I think it'll start off with an introduction page and maybe two or three sub pages with info. Nothing difficult, but needs to look professional.

Grateful for any thoughts.
 
How long is a piece of string. A basic site would be around £300, a friend I know does basic sites like this. Buy seriously spend an evening or 2 looking at WordPress
 
Dale_d3100 said:
How long is a piece of string. A basic site would be around £300, a friend I know does basic sites like this. Buy seriously spend an evening or 2 looking at WordPress
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This^
There's a world of difference between DIY and using a modern content management system and decent theme.

Think of it like the difference between my ham fisted attempts to put up a shelf using brackets and timber or me constructing a quality flat pack bookcase.
 
Phil V said:
This^
There's a world of difference between DIY and using a modern content management system and decent theme.

Think of it like the difference between my ham fisted attempts to put up a shelf using brackets and timber or me constructing a quality flat pack bookcase.
Click to expand...

I am of the mind that a website designer is more likely to produce something worthy of getting business in - where as I am likely to scare someone off.

We all take photos - some earn a living from it, others don't! I'm not interested in a content placed within a theme, I'm looking for bespoke and therefore the analogy not totally correct. I'm not able to do it myself to any realist standard and I don't want flat pack.
 
You are setting up business as an IT security consultant? For that, remember that a website is only a part of your marketing, you have to include business cards, flyers, trade shows etc. So work out what your budget is first of all. Get your branding designed and use that as a starting point. Don't think that having a website will necessarily drive customers to you. So with the right branding and 'look' you can start simple and then expand as business expands. If its for photography, and you are not doing it as a business, why spend money on a bespoke site when lots of ready-made customizable offerings are available?
 
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Carol, thanks. Cannot disagree with anything you say, I realise now that I didn't include branding/logo in my original post apart from saying design and production but would be part of the service I'm looking for.

My speciality is somewhat closed off and therefore to an extent, trade shows will not help. More that I need to be contactable. Money is not particularly an issue and I suspect well within what I have in mind.

I am of the opinion that more business is lost by a shoddy website than is gained by a good one, but I don't want to learn by trial and error. More importantly I need to reduce attack vectors.

I have some good leads but still keen to hear from anyone with more thoughts.
 
A good website - logo, a few basic pages, photos relating to the area of work and continuity are all you really need. The probability of being found on google is low so not argue worry about seo.

The main part is the colours and design. You need a graphic artist for this rather than a web designer.

What area of it security? There are many it security trade shows
 
Take a look at 1and1 who have a huge selection of appropriate templates, also Weebly.com. You can easily create something professional looking to get you started with either of these without laying out anything more than the hosting. Buy your domain else where though unless it's included as a freebie.
The SEo is easy through either of these and would give you some practice at little cost.

You can get a logo designed for $5 at fiverr.com, check out the opposition for examples of content and layout etc.

Caroline
 
My best friend is a graphic designer... I could put you in contact with her?

This is hers, she created basically everything on it: http://vegaszombiewalk.com/

She's building mine too :-D
 
Tulipone said:
Many thanks for your thoughts. Now appear to be sorted.
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For the curious among us, care to share which path you've chosen?

You sound to have a very pragmatic approach to your web presence, which is actually quite refreshing. I'm a strong advocate for internet:business integration rather than website bolt-on, but it can be quite expensive in the short-term to get this going.
 
SimonH said:
For the curious among us, care to share which path you've chosen?

You sound to have a very pragmatic approach to your web presence, which is actually quite refreshing. I'm a strong advocate for internet:business integration rather than website bolt-on, but it can be quite expensive in the short-term to get this going.
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I spoke with someone that has a site similar to what I had in mind and they put me in touch with their web developer. They are working up some samples and design ideas.

With my trade as IT Security, I need to minimise the possibility of hacking and that is not cheap nor particularly standard although I'm not particularly sure why.

I think the free/cheap logos and self produced websites are fine if you have some artistic flair and your time is free. I'd rather get it right from the start, have someone that will listen/produce and be objective with my ideas.

It may cost a few £k to get it going but stationery, business cards and replicating website will all be sorted and coordinated. The cost goes to the business anyway.
 
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