How much does a website cost?

Ah the age old question and the bane of many an account/project manager who answers the new lead phone call/email.

Answer? Well it really depends what you want to spend and what you want to achieve. I have no doubt it is as frustrating for the potential client as it is the agency when confronted with this questions. We love to know how much things cost straightaway, it will guide almost any business decision.

So how do we get around this frustration.....well the first thing is to consider some very basic questions before you approach anyone for a quote

- is the site being built from scratch, or is it a redesign of an existing site

- do you need to update content regularly - if the answer is yes then you will need a Content Management System - that will allow you to update and create new pages for your site

- what is the purpose of the site? selling physical/virtual products? Information on services you offer? A site for people to network? A mixture of all of the above?

- when do you need the site? If timescales are short (6 weeks or less) - consider a phased approach, get the essentials done for launch, then initiate a phase II that delivers the remainder of the project

Answer these questions and commit the answers to paper/Word/email - this will serve as your formative requirements document, even this basic document will allow a agency to provide a reasonably accurate quote and/or request a meeting with you to discuss earlier.

And one final tip......once the site is live....how are you going to let people know it is there?? Remember marketing a site is just as important that one that looks good!!