Buyer Beware
You may hear Web Site Design advertisements for $250 to $300.
SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE – It may be true, but some facts may be omitted.
The advertisers are neglecting to tell you about the annual fees for domain name registration and web site hosting fees, and are also failing to tell you what you get for your design fee, and what the cost will be to update or change your site, and who will be working on your site. Most importantly, after you have paid $1000s, and you are still dissatisfied, you decide to change to a competent, honest web developer only to find out that you do not own your web site or they are “holding it hostage.” Then, you must either stay with the original company, or start over.
The Facts
DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION
You select your name i.e. YourName.com for your website. You have to register this name and pay an annual fee to the domain registration service. Generally, this ANNUAL FEE is anywhere from 12.00- $35.00 per year. But, many services ask for a two-year sign on. You can often get a discounted rate with multiple-year signups. Beware of sites offering domain names for less than the standard rates because they must make up the money difference somewhere. Usually it’s because they are selling your information to other markets. Read the fine print.
SITE HOSTING FEES
Your web site must be stored by a web host. This is how the world is able to go to your site. There are thousands of hosting providers and the ANNUAL FEE can vary from $10 to $100′s per month. Some companies both design and host your site. However, some of those companies are reluctant to allow you to switch services and can hold your site hostage even though you may own the rights to your site. Usually it takes 3-7 days for all the electronic paperwork to be transferred from one host to another host.
DESIGN FEES
You should be careful to find out exactly what you are getting for your money. Many designers quickly create a “cookie cutter” site, which is very plain and generic or comes as one of the 25-30 packaged sites in a development program, then assess you additional charges to make the site meet your expectations. Some designers collect your money, create the “cookie cutter” site, and then forget about you and the various viewers coming to your site (Web TV, different browsers such as Netscape, MS Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
WEB SITE DEVELOPER
Many large web development companies employ part-time college students, or other individuals with minimal experience, where the turnover rate is very high and skill levels vary. If that person leaves the developer company, your site may not be worked on again for a very long time, meanwhile people come to what exists of your site and are so disappointed they don’t return.
WEB SITE OWNERSHIP
Your contract with the web site developer should clearly state to whom the site ownership rights belong. Remember, after you have paid the fees stated in your contract, you are the owner of the site and all it’s contents.
WHY CHOOSE BIZNESS CONCEPTS?
I am Bizness Concepts – I have an extensive computer and graphics background and, every step of the way, I will provide the type of service that you deserve. I not only conduct my business in this area, I live here. And, for those customers who aren’t local… I care just as much about the service you receive
Things You Should Know
BIZNESS CONCEPTS SITE HOSTING FEES
I will select the web site host that is both economical and reliable, and inform you of the annual fee before committing your site to the host. If you have a preference to another host, I will store your site with that host, however be aware that I can only guarantee reliability and stability of the site with a host that I recommend.
BIZNESS CONCEPTS DESIGN FEES
My basic design fee is $650 per web site, with an annual fee of $450 for maintenance and updates beginning in the second year. My fees include any original artwork required for a web-logo and backgrounds for your site and any graphics scanning (copying of photographs to a website viewable format). the design fee does not include the domain name and hosting fees.
Although Bizness Concepts offers packages for basic sites (5-10 ages for a beginning site), you can have as many pages as you need. Fees will increase for additional pages, but are always kept to a reasonable rate. Additional pages are offered at $25 per page or 5 pages for $100.
My goal is to design a web site that will be original, attractive, convey your message, attract customers, and be viewable on the many different browsers (web viewing programs) used by the public, and make sure it is found by search engines. My best advertisement is the testimony of my clients. I gladly provide you with a list of references or visit my client list on my web site.
WEB SITE OWNERSHIP
You are the owner of the web site and all contents designed for you, and you are free to do with it as you deem necessary, as long as all fees are paid in full. Anyone who refuses to release your website and it’s contents to you may be liable under the deceptive trade practices laws. Be sure you have a contract, and the contract does not remove ownership of your website from you.
DO YOU REALLY NEED A DOT-COM WEBSITE WITH A DOMAIN NAME?
Many business owners are convinced to jump on the website bandwagon only to find that have spent big $$$ for very little traffic. Bizness Concepts, Inc. is in business to make the customer happy, and I will honestly let you know if you do not need your own domain name with a website.
Bizness Concepts offers alternative web advertising through ArbutusBiz.com and ParkvilleCarneyBiz.com our local businesses and services, and through WritingCorner.com for writers and readers.