Don’t get me wrong – every web design project is different from the last.
The design and develop process I follow for each of my clients will vary according to what they want to achieve, the digital presence they’ve already created for themselves, and, of course, the budget they’re working with.
That said, there are a handful of questions that crop up time and time again from business owners who are either setting up their very first website or need me to explain a little more about what to expect from my services.
Here are the top 5 queries I often receive as a web designer in Essex.
1. How much does a website cost?
This is the biggie! And the answer is, there’s no straight answer. But I’ll do my best to explain why.
Ultimately, my quote will depend on how much time I will need to dedicate to the project. The final price you pay for your website will depend on where you’re at with the design, how many pages you’ll need, and whether your new platform will need any advanced features and functions.
If you have design and branding elements in place (such as a logo and any custom illustrations), this will mean I already have graphics to work with and won’t need to create anything from scratch – and this can bring the fee down considerably. Similarly, if you only need a basic 5 page brochure site, you won’t need to pay as much as you would for, say, a hundred page eCommerce platform.
The best way to find out how much you’ll need to set aside for the design is to contact me directly. I’ll be able to give you a free ballpark quote based on your requirements. One of the main things that sets me apart from other Essex-based web designers is that I’ll never add any hidden costs to your bill; what you’re quoted is what you’ll pay, unless you’ve requested any extra time or services.
2. How long will it take to design my website?
Again, it’s difficult to tell how many weeks or months it will take to design and build your new website. A small brochure site can sometimes be up and running in as little as 1 to 2 weeks, whereas larger, more complex projects will take much longer.
In my experience, designs are normally delayed because I’m waiting for the client to send across logos, photos, content and anything else that needs to be added to the site. So, the sooner you can get these things to me, the faster we can move the project along. I will always plan the project in advance, so you’ll know exactly what I need from you, and when.
(If you’re struggling to find the time to write your landing page copy – which most people do! – bear in mind that I work with a team of expert web copywriters who will be able to craft professional content for you for an extra fee. They’ll also ensure that all the copy they create is fully optimised for the search engines.)
Once I know your exact requirements, I’ll be able to put together a proposal that outlines the deadlines for each project phase. These may be subject to change depending on how the project progresses – but if you have any deadlines in mind, I’ll do everything I can to meet them.
3. Will my website be mobile responsive?
Yes!
With so many people browsing the web from mobile devices these days, we need to ensure that their experience of your business is second to none, regardless of how your customers are reaching you. With this in mind, all of the websites we build are designed to work flawlessly on mobile phones and tablets.
4. Will I own the website once it’s been finished?
Ownership will be transferred over to you as soon as the website has gone live and your balance has been settled. You’ve paid for it – so you get to keep it!
If you decide that you don’t want Design FX Studio to host the platform, you are free to move it over to a third-party provider. And if you’ve opted for a WordPress website, you can easily transfer it to any major web host.
If I’ve created a custom-built CMS website for you, then I will be able to provide you with a flat HTML export of all the data files and imagery for you to use as you please. Bear in mind, however, that the underlying code will remain my intellectual property, and so cannot be transferred to third-party servers.
5. When will my website appear on the first page of Google?
You may find that your website becomes visible in Google within a week or two of launch, once the search engine crawlers have had time to find, crawl and index its pages. But it’s very unlikely that these pages will appear within the top 10 organic results straightaway.
If you want to achieve those coveted first-page positions, you’ll need to invest in ongoing SEO and digital marketing. Achieving better rankings takes a great deal of time and effort, even more so if you’re in a competitive niche. I have a fantastic team of SEO consultants around me who can advise you on the best way forward and put together a search engine optimisation strategy that will help you achieve your business goals (within a sustainable budget, of course).
If your question isn’t covered here, feel free to contact me and I’ll be glad to help!
Here are some other resources you may find useful:
I recently put together a 7 step guide to web design for start-ups. If you’re launching a totally new venture, click the link for actionable advice.
If you’re already thinking about how you’re going to promote your website once it’s up and running, take a look at this post from back in June which talks you through the three core digital marketing methods: organic SEO, paid search marketing and social media marketing.