80% of consumers turn to websites to find out more about a company before making a purchase. Which is why there's no time like the present to streamline your site. Use this Business.com guide to understand which type of website you should really have, how to create a beautiful site, and how much it will cost you.
How to create an engaging landing page that converts visitors into leadsSandeepa Nayak
A landing page is nothing but a fertile piece of land that helps you cultivate the harvest of business by sowing the seeds of your leads. All efforts of lead generation will go down the drain if your landing page is not fertile. Landing pages are vital for the success of all your SEO efforts. It is here that your visitors are most likely to get converted into your customers.
How to create an engaging landing page that converts visitors into leadsSandeepa Nayak
A landing page is nothing but a fertile piece of land that helps you cultivate the harvest of business by sowing the seeds of your leads. All efforts of lead generation will go down the drain if your landing page is not fertile. Landing pages are vital for the success of all your SEO efforts. It is here that your visitors are most likely to get converted into your customers.
Choosing the best front end framework for web development 2020Katy Slemon
Here's a guide for the basics of front-end development. Take a look at the factors you need to consider before opting for the suitable front-end framework in 2020.
This presentation is available as a free webinar: http://www.theurldr.com/register-omg-website-ugly-webinar/
Have you been wondering why your not doing much business online? It could be your website. Your website needs to convey in 5 seconds or less that you're reputable and trustworthy, you're an expert in your field, you can solve your visitors' problems, and lead them in a direction through your site so they can find what they're looking for. It's a lot to ask a poor website to do, But if you're website is ugly, then your visitors may be leaving.
The presentation also discusses the benefits of using WordPress. Learn 6 of the top WordPress plug-ins for small business, how to choose a web host, and how to keep your website safe.
Transform Your Website Into An Inbound Marketing MachineBrent Bice
The old rules of marketing and pr no longer apply. Traditional advertising has become less effective and is cost prohibitive for many business. Furthermore, it's almost impossible to track ROI.
In this presentation you will learn why it's important to shift your traditional marketing efforts to an inbound marketing approach. You will also learn what it takes to attract, convert and win new business via the web.
Leadtrance Technologies has been serving in the field of Website Development, SEO Services, Digital Marketing, Domain & Hosting Services with 50+ partners till now. We have been expanding our wing in all the digital marketing area to build and develop upcoming firms to help out in their business with our expert technical skills and management skills.
Numerous organizations are working more diligently than at any time in recent memory to remain associated with clients. Start with a free custom area for as long as 5 years, at that point construct a free site to get your business online quickly. There are such a significant number of approaches to arrive at your client's on the web.
A never before offer for those who couldn't make their product, service or talent information open to public, through a website due to out-of-budget cost and inadequate knowledge. Presenting Web Room. Available at a cost of Rs. 4/- per day, equivalent to a cup of tea on Kolkata roads.
Made in Kolkata. For one, for all.
Calculating the Cost of Your Website Design_ A Step-by-Step Guide (1).pptxSein Z
Let’s face it—web design isn’t something that you can DIY unless you are a web developer yourself. You will need a team of professionals that consists of QA analysts, business analysts, UI/UX developers, testers, etc. So, how much will each of them charge? In this post, we will show you the breakdown of the web design cost. Keep reading.
How Much Does Website Development Cost?EngineerBabu
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Website? The web development cost is the first and most troublesome question that arises when you decide to design a Website.
Choosing the best front end framework for web development 2020Katy Slemon
Here's a guide for the basics of front-end development. Take a look at the factors you need to consider before opting for the suitable front-end framework in 2020.
This presentation is available as a free webinar: http://www.theurldr.com/register-omg-website-ugly-webinar/
Have you been wondering why your not doing much business online? It could be your website. Your website needs to convey in 5 seconds or less that you're reputable and trustworthy, you're an expert in your field, you can solve your visitors' problems, and lead them in a direction through your site so they can find what they're looking for. It's a lot to ask a poor website to do, But if you're website is ugly, then your visitors may be leaving.
The presentation also discusses the benefits of using WordPress. Learn 6 of the top WordPress plug-ins for small business, how to choose a web host, and how to keep your website safe.
Transform Your Website Into An Inbound Marketing MachineBrent Bice
The old rules of marketing and pr no longer apply. Traditional advertising has become less effective and is cost prohibitive for many business. Furthermore, it's almost impossible to track ROI.
In this presentation you will learn why it's important to shift your traditional marketing efforts to an inbound marketing approach. You will also learn what it takes to attract, convert and win new business via the web.
Leadtrance Technologies has been serving in the field of Website Development, SEO Services, Digital Marketing, Domain & Hosting Services with 50+ partners till now. We have been expanding our wing in all the digital marketing area to build and develop upcoming firms to help out in their business with our expert technical skills and management skills.
Numerous organizations are working more diligently than at any time in recent memory to remain associated with clients. Start with a free custom area for as long as 5 years, at that point construct a free site to get your business online quickly. There are such a significant number of approaches to arrive at your client's on the web.
A never before offer for those who couldn't make their product, service or talent information open to public, through a website due to out-of-budget cost and inadequate knowledge. Presenting Web Room. Available at a cost of Rs. 4/- per day, equivalent to a cup of tea on Kolkata roads.
Made in Kolkata. For one, for all.
Calculating the Cost of Your Website Design_ A Step-by-Step Guide (1).pptxSein Z
Let’s face it—web design isn’t something that you can DIY unless you are a web developer yourself. You will need a team of professionals that consists of QA analysts, business analysts, UI/UX developers, testers, etc. So, how much will each of them charge? In this post, we will show you the breakdown of the web design cost. Keep reading.
How Much Does Website Development Cost?EngineerBabu
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Website? The web development cost is the first and most troublesome question that arises when you decide to design a Website.
Bangladesh Ltd. company development maintains design services including Web Design,Website Redesign, Landing Page Design, and Rapid Web Design.
Let's now take a closer look at a few of the specific services that we provide in the web service list design. such as ongoing CMS Web Designs website upkeep, Word Press support, hosting, logo and graphic design, ad creation, SEO, add management, copywriting, keyword research, and other services. If you want to do business online, you must hire specialists in professional development and design.
Do you do a search for a business that offers a provider of web design services? You receive the greatest authorization if SEO Expate BD Ltd you are an entrepreneur or wish to join a company. The SEO Expate Bangladesh Ltd. Company would then be able to provide you with first-rate service.
On the other hand, there are numerous organizations available if you need to find a web development company. But there, we formally challenge you to accept our claim that SEO Expate Bangladesh Ltd. Google now dominates the look and functionality of all websites. The SEO Expate Bangladesh Ltd. Company, nevertheless, constantly uses the following foundation for growth.
How does a cms website help your business to growFullestop
A content management system, or CMS, is software that allows people to generate, manage, and edit website content without requiring extensive technical skills. A content management system (CMS) is a tool that allows you to create a website without having to write all the code from scratch. You can create and design a website with CMS without having to write any code. In simple terms, a CMS website is created with the help of a content management system.
10 Benefits of Having a Customized WebsiteProweaver, Inc
If you want to be unique, take the custom web design route. Whether you’re designing a website on your own or having a team to do it for you, always remember to focus on your target audience.
Originally published at https://www.proweaver.com/10-benefits-of-having-a-customized-website
Website is your Online Store that aids you in enhancing various aspects of your business. It is the face of your online presence.
Having a good website is the starting point of conducting your business as it can aid you to handle all aspects
What is the Importance of Responsive Web Design for Business Development?Versatile Mobitech
A responsive website design from Versatile Mobitech draws the customer’s attention, and they think the company takes their customers seriously, thus helping to stay ahead in business. Customers love the customization process of their devices, i.e., Android or iOS depending on customer satisfaction. Analytics is a kind of goal which records the number of visitors viewing the pages.
What is the Importance of Responsive Web Design for Business Development_.pptxVersatile Mobitech
Web designing is related to the design of various websites displayed over the internet. It refers to the various aspects of the user experience of website development rather than the software development.
The most common methods for the purpose of website development are adaptive and responsive design. In the case of responsive design, web contents are dynamic. That means the contents are adjusting the spaces by moving dynamically depending on the different screen sizes. Being the top agency web design in Hyderabad, Versatile Mobitech offers responsive web development services.
Pinacle Web India Has Effectively Settled Itself As A Knowledgeable Site Making Organization In Situated In Mumbai, Maharashtra India. At Pinacle Web India, We Configure, Create And Oversee Sites And E-Business Applications. We Represent Considerable Authority In Dynamic Web Composition, Advancement And Upkeep Administrations.
If you are ready to start your own dating site, this manual is for you. This dating startup guide includes advices on how to create a dating website, how to make first settings, how to promote it, attract new visitors and make users come back. Having an idea of a future website is only a small part of the ordeal. It is a long journey from starting a dating website to making it popular. We hope this manual will be helpful to you.
As all eCommerce sites are not the same,the average cost of an eCommerce website depends of various factors like platform, requirements and customization, as every eCommerce startup has different needs.
Whatever product or service your business offers, the Internet levels the playing field and lets you compete with bigger businesses, reaching customers around the world who can conveniently buy from you 24 hours a day.
And this presentation is your first step in doing just that…
By Trix Corp., a vibrant interactive agency based in Dubai.
Future Selling in B2B Media: Yes, There is a FutureBusiness.com
Business.com CEO Tony Uphoff's presentation from the Business Information & Media Summit held by ABM, SIPA, and SIIA in partnership with infocommerce about marketing automation, programmatic buying and retargeting.
Even though our world is becoming increasingly paperless, the copier is a ubiquitous staple that's not going anywhere. That's not to say the changing of the times hasn't had an affect on the copier biz; sales are down, and copiers have changed functionality to allow for more paperless options, i.e. scan to email.
In order to get you up to speed on the latest and greatest in the world of photocopying, we created the Business.com Guide to Copiers.
Stay Connected with the Right Phone System for Your Business Business.com
A variety of modes of communication exist to help us connect with clients, customers, and each other, but few can take the place of the telephone. They help us connect with people from all over the world in real-time, and next to an in-person meeting, are the best way to communicate with one another.
Companies small and large alike rely on telephone systems to help them do business, and thanks to new and emerging technology, there are more options than ever to choose from.
When choosing a phone system solution for your business, it’s vital that you identify the needs of your company and its clients before shopping. Depending on your needs, a variety of telephone system functionality exists, including features like automated directory, call forwarding, music on hold, and speed dial, to name a few.
Though traditional phone systems are still prevalent, a new system has recently emerged to provide even more telephone functionality at a lower cost. VoIP systems, or Voice over Internet Protocol systems, use high-speed internet to connect parties on both ends.
The Business.com Guide to Telephone Systems was created to educate you on the types of phone systems available, and assist in identifying which kind will work best for your business.
It’s a common goal to find a job that you love, but it’s not sheer conviction that keeps us going to work day after day, year after year—it’s money. Your hard work, and that of your employees, deserves to be rewarded with consistent and dependable pay. Though at face value, paying your employees for their hours worked seems relatively straight-forward, there are many important factors to consider concerning your company’s payroll.
A variety of payroll services and solutions have long existed to aid companies in their payroll management needs, a new wave of web-based options have emerged to give businesses even more functionality. These new solutions can not only help you save money as compared to their older counterparts, but can also help with headache-inducing federal and state taxes.
Everything You Need to Know About Taking PlasticBusiness.com
Consumers are so used to the convenience of credit and debit cards that it's no longer an option for a merchant to take plastic -- it's a necessity. Consumers expect to be able to use plastic to pay for everything, even small items. From their point of view, that's the end of the transaction but it's a whole different story for the merchant.
From credit card readers to securing the networks to transmitting information to the bank, there are multiple steps that must happen before the money is finally deposited into the merchant's account.
The point-of-sales is where a retail transaction is conducted, which used to mean a cash register was located, typically near a store exit.
Today, it means any place where a sale is conducted and money is exchanged for a product/service and a receipt is given.
In addition to an electronic cash register, this could occur via smartphone, tablet, touchscreen, barcode scanner, or dedicated mobile device or terminal.
The Business.com Guide to POS Systems makes it easy to figure out which system is right for you.
Download the guide and:
- Learn the various features of POS systems.
- Get tips on choosing a vendor.
- Figure out how to calculate the costs.
- Get access to a helpful comparison checklist.
Overview of Recruitment Management Systems- Business.comBusiness.com
Recruitment Management Software greatly reduces otherwise labor-intensive data entry and record-keeping associated with job creation, advertising, screening and employee selection. Use this Business.com guide to get top tips for evaluating the best RMS available- to make your HR duties a little more manageable.
Time and Attendance Software- A Business.com GuideBusiness.com
The days of the punch clock have gone the way of the rotary dial phone and Atari computer games. Instead of laboriously compile paper cards and manually recording hours, save yourself the headache and invest in Time and Attendance Software. Use this Business.com guide to help you manage your employees- from clocking time sheets to payroll processing and managing absences.
Guide to Promotional Items- Business.com Business.com
There are numerous benefits for gifting promotional items to existing or potential customers, or to long- term or high-performing employees. However, a few of these benefits are cited as the main reasons organizations use these items. Promotional items can help a business improve sales, bolster a reputation, and perform better financially. This whitepaper will help you do just that.
There are many benefits to owning a postage meter within a business setting, and there are many types and sizes available that allow any kind of business to save time when sending large amounts of differently sized or weighted packages anywhere in the world. This guide breaks down the types of postage meters and provides quality purchasing tips too.
While a key and obvious advantage of a POS system is the gain in efficiency with respect to processing and recording a purchase transaction, there are numerous additional benefits that have ramifications across the enterprise. In this whitepaper, we break down the advanced features of a modern POS system and we'll walk you through the steps to choose the correct vendor.
Order Fulfillment Services- A Business.com GuideBusiness.com
There are many stages an order must pass through that involves software systems and physical systems. It’s no wonder companies large and small are contracting out this function to specialized order fulfillment services providers. Use this Business.com to help to choose a basic or advanced order fulfillment service.
A Guide to IT Consulting- Business.comBusiness.com
IT consulting is an umbrella term for a variety of interrelated activities. This whitepaper breaks down those activities while introducing the benefits and drawbacks of offshoring IT. Oh, and be sure to follow the three steps to choosing the perfect IT consultant.
A Guide to Internet Security For Businesses- Business.comBusiness.com
Recent revelations by National Security Agency (NSA) renegade contractor Edward Snowden have resulted in many businesses paying more attention to how secure their computer systems are. But even the most “cyber-savvy” businesses can have their computer networks hacked and compromised. Use this whitepaper to understand your threats, protective options, and trends in internet security for businesses.
Document Management Software- The Business.com GuideBusiness.com
Any organization that require the structured storage and retrieval of documents can benefits from investing in a document management system (DMS). Use our guide to discover the many benefits of purchasing a DMS, along with practical tips on choosing a system that best fits the needs of your small business.
Commercial Security Systems- The Business.com GuideBusiness.com
A business security system will provide you with a peace of mind, lower insurance rates, and a safer working environment. Our guide will walk you through the major types, features, and options of modern commercial security systems.
Solving Payroll Problems With The New Employee Management System- Business.c...Business.com
For a more robust employee management system through your payroll services providers, you may choose to add benefits management, 401(k) management, or other enhancements to the basic payroll processing service. Here are some common HR obstacles and ways in which payroll services can mitigate these challenges.
What the Document Management System Revolution Means for Your Business- Busin...Business.com
As the needs of businesses have changed and technology has advanced, document management software (DMS) has too. From new features that allow content to be stored in HTML format to accessible translation services, a DMS revolution is taking place. This whitepaper shares what trends have emerged and how each can positively impact your business.
Business.com Small Business Pulse 2013 Lead Generation InsightsBusiness.com
Business.com conducted an extensive survey of over 500 B2B companies about their lead generation efforts. This report summarizes that data and provides analysis on how marketers are using lead generation, what fields and types of leads are most valuable, and how they are nurturing those leads after they receive.
Between Filth and Fortune- Urban Cattle Foraging Realities by Devi S Nair, An...Mansi Shah
This study examines cattle rearing in urban and rural settings, focusing on milk production and consumption. By exploring a case in Ahmedabad, it highlights the challenges and processes in dairy farming across different environments, emphasising the need for sustainable practices and the essential role of milk in daily consumption.
White wonder, Work developed by Eva TschoppMansi Shah
White Wonder by Eva Tschopp
A tale about our culture around the use of fertilizers and pesticides visiting small farms around Ahmedabad in Matar and Shilaj.
Expert Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Drafting ServicesResDraft
Whether you’re looking to create a guest house, a rental unit, or a private retreat, our experienced team will design a space that complements your existing home and maximizes your investment. We provide personalized, comprehensive expert accessory dwelling unit (ADU)drafting solutions tailored to your needs, ensuring a seamless process from concept to completion.
You could be a professional graphic designer and still make mistakes. There is always the possibility of human error. On the other hand if you’re not a designer, the chances of making some common graphic design mistakes are even higher. Because you don’t know what you don’t know. That’s where this blog comes in. To make your job easier and help you create better designs, we have put together a list of common graphic design mistakes that you need to avoid.
Transforming Brand Perception and Boosting Profitabilityaaryangarg12
In today's digital era, the dynamics of brand perception, consumer behavior, and profitability have been profoundly reshaped by the synergy of branding, social media, and website design. This research paper investigates the transformative power of these elements in influencing how individuals perceive brands and products and how this transformation can be harnessed to drive sales and profitability for businesses.
Through an exploration of brand psychology and consumer behavior, this study sheds light on the intricate ways in which effective branding strategies, strategic social media engagement, and user-centric website design contribute to altering consumers' perceptions. We delve into the principles that underlie successful brand transformations, examining how visual identity, messaging, and storytelling can captivate and resonate with target audiences.
Methodologically, this research employs a comprehensive approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analyses. Real-world case studies illustrate the impact of branding, social media campaigns, and website redesigns on consumer perception, sales figures, and profitability. We assess the various metrics, including brand awareness, customer engagement, conversion rates, and revenue growth, to measure the effectiveness of these strategies.
The results underscore the pivotal role of cohesive branding, social media influence, and website usability in shaping positive brand perceptions, influencing consumer decisions, and ultimately bolstering sales and profitability. This paper provides actionable insights and strategic recommendations for businesses seeking to leverage branding, social media, and website design as potent tools to enhance their market position and financial success.
Can AI do good? at 'offtheCanvas' India HCI preludeAlan Dix
Invited talk at 'offtheCanvas' IndiaHCI prelude, 29th June 2024.
https://www.alandix.com/academic/talks/offtheCanvas-IndiaHCI2024/
The world is being changed fundamentally by AI and we are constantly faced with newspaper headlines about its harmful effects. However, there is also the potential to both ameliorate theses harms and use the new abilities of AI to transform society for the good. Can you make the difference?
2. CONTENTS
OVERVIEW OF WEB DESIGN 3
TYPES OF WEBSITES 7
COMPARISON CHECKLIST 14
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 15
3. 3
HOW
Over 80% of consumers turn to the Web for
information on products and services before making
a purchase.
Websites are a marketing necessity for most
companies today—an essential place to inform
customers, spread a message, and generate leads
and sales.
OVERVIEW OF WEB DESIGN
“WEBSITES ARE A
MARKETING NECESSITY FOR
MOST COMPANIES TODAY.”
4. 4
WHAT
Whether your business has a website that’s out
of date and needs to be redesigned, or you’re
launching a new website from scratch, choosing the
right vendor can be intimidating.
This guide will walk you through the steps you need to
take to find a website design firm that’s right for you,
including all the features that will influence the price of
the service.
5. 5
WHY
Before you get started evaluating your options, it’s
important to identify the main purpose and goals of
your website so that you can determine what you need.
Critical Questions
The following questions are crucial to think about before
you move forward with a website design project. Your
answers will help you determine the type of website
you need, the features you want to include, and the
information you need to provide to a vendor who could be
designing your website.
How often will the content on the site be updated?
Beyond the static company information that needs to be
added initially, how often will you be adding fresh content?
This can include blog posts, articles, videos, product
pages, etc.
How many pages and sections of pages will you need?
The number of page templates you need designed will
affect the cost of your website. It’s important to identify
which pages and sections of pages you need created,
and which of these will require a unique look and how
likely is it that your visitors will be viewing your site on a
mobile device?
With the rapid growth of smartphones and tablets, you want
to make sure that your website is easily viewable from these
devices. If mobile functionality will be a significant source
of your traffic, you may want to go a step further and have a
custom mobile website developed.
Do you intend to generate leads from the site?
Most business websites exist in order to generate leads.
It’s important to identify the types of leads you hope to
generate, as well as the content and calls to action you
need to include in order to effectively generate those leads.
6. 6
Do you intend to sell products/services and collect
payments directly from your website?
If so, you will need to incorporate e-commerce
functionality into your website. e-Commerce
considerations that will influence your website’s
development and total cost include: the number of
products and product categories, the frequency of adding
new products, credit card processing, security issues,
and whether you want to manage inventory directly
through your website.
Do you want your visitors to be able to contribute
content and/or submit feedback through your website?
Site visitor engagement is important for many businesses.
This can include the ability for customers to leave reviews
for products and comments on blog posts, as well as the
ability to submit feedback via interactive contact forms.
Do you want to maintain the site internally, or work
with a vendor who provides monthly maintenance?
If you don’t have a website or IT team to make
updates and maintain your site, you should consider
a vendor who includes maintenance for free, or for a
reasonable monthly fee.
“SITE VISITOR ENGAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT FOR
MANY BUSINESSES. THIS CAN INCLUDE THE ABILITY
FOR CUSTOMERS TO LEAVE REVIEWS FOR PRODUCTS
AND COMMENTS ON BLOG POSTS.”
7. 7
Most websites today are built using a Content
Management System, or CMS. The CMS is the
architecture of a website that determines how you
add and modify content, and attach applications to
a website. Most content management systems allow
Web-based content publishing, content formatting,
collaborative revisions, editing, and an internal
search engine.
A good CMS allows you to add, edit, and update
content without knowledge of HTML or some other
programming language. Most employ a simple user
interface or “dashboard,” which looks like a word
processing program (e.g., Microsoft Word).
The level of CMS you use to build your website will
largely determine how customized the site is and how
much it will cost. You should have a clear idea of your
budget before you begin this process to help narrow
your focus and avoid evaluating options out of your
price range. The cost of building a website can range
from just a few dollars per month with a DIY (“Do-It-
Yourself”) website, to tens of thousands of dollars with a
custom CMS built just for your business.
TYPES OF WEBSITES
“A GOOD CMS ALLOWS YOU TO ADD, EDIT, AND
UPDATE CONTENT WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OF HTML OR
SOME OTHER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE.”
8. 8
• Level 1: Do-It-Yourself Websites. At the low end,
you can use some content management systems
for free. Examples are WordPress and Blogger
(owned by Google). You can go to these sites, open
an account, and have a website up within minutes.
Other websites such as Go Daddy and Network
Solutions offer low-cost packages that include
hosting fees and easy site design tools.
• Level 2: Custom Websites in a Popular CMS. The
next level up from a DIY site is a Custom Website
designed for a popular CMS. For these sites, you’re
working with an established CMS (WordPress,
for example), but you hire a website design firm
to create a custom look and feel for your site.
Depending on the level of customization, your
vendor will either customize an existing theme based
on your needs or design an original theme from
scratch. A custom website could cost anywhere
from under $1,000 to about $7,000, depending on
the number of customized page templates and the
extent of features needed.
• Level 3: Custom CMS. The last and most expensive
level of website design we’ll explore in this guide is
a custom CMS. This is a site where not just the way
it looks, but also the way it functions, is completely
tailored to your business. Building a custom CMS
is a considerable investment and usually requires
hiring both programmers and designers. Expect to
spend over $10,000 to build a completely custom
CMS website.
Level 1: Do-It-Yourself Websites
Your lowest-cost option for creating an affordable and
functional website for your business is to go with a “Do-
It-Yourself” (DIY) site. DIY websites, also known as “Site
Builders,” are an inexpensive, easy-to-manage option.
DIY websites allow you to create a new website without
hiring a Web design vendor, and without any knowledge
of HTML or some other programming language. To
launch a DIY website, you simply select one of many
predesigned website templates, adjust the settings,
and start adding content via an easy-to-use interface.
“DIY WEBSITES ALLOW YOU TO CREATE
A NEW WEBSITE WITHOUT HIRING A WEB
DESIGN VENDOR”
9. 9
DIY websites have several major benefits:
Low Price. DIY sites typically start at $10/month, with
no setup fees. Those rates can increase based on
additional features.
Ease of Management. DIY websites provide an all-
in-one solution for Web design. The monthly fee
usually includes website hosting, domain registration,
free website templates, and email accounts. This is
convenient because you can manage all these features
“under one roof,” without working with multiple vendors
and paying multiple bills.
Ease of Use. DIY websites are easy to use even if you
don’t know HTML or another programming language.
DIY sites are usually easy to navigate and very user-
friendly. Customers can add and update content
through a dashboard that resembles a word processor.
They can update the layout and graphics with drag-
and-drop convenience. Customers also have the ability
to easily select or change their website template, which
sets the overall design look and feel of the site.
Inexpensive Add-Ons. While most of the features
you need will be included in the monthly rate of
the package you select, some features may not be
included. Add-on features such as search engine
optimization (SEO) software, additional email accounts,
customer relationship management (CRM) integration,
and extra bandwidth can be added for extra fees or by
purchasing a larger DIY package.
The downsides of a DIY website are what you might
expect. DIY sites lack the originality and custom
features that you get with a more tailored website. That
doesn’t mean you have to settle for a dull DIY website.
As easy as it is to update content on a DIY site, it’s also
easy to adjust design elements of the website template
you choose to match the colors, style, and feel you’re
trying to achieve.
“DIY SITES LACK THE ORIGINALITY AND
CUSTOM FEATURES THAT YOU GET WITH
A MORE TAILORED WEBSITE.”
10. 10
Level 2: Custom Websites in a Popular CMS
For anywhere from under $1,000 to around $7,000,
you can create a custom website in a popular content
management system (CMS). Your Web design firm will
work with an established CMS, but will create a custom
look and feel for your site.
Most content management systems, such as WordPress
and Drupal, for example, offer free or premium website
themes. In this price range, you can have a Web design
company customize an existing theme based on the
look and feel you want—including your desired font
styles, colors, logo, and other branding. In some cases,
depending on the level of customization, your vendor
may design an original theme from scratch, rather than
customizing an existing theme.
Every CMS theme—whether it’s a free or premium
existing theme, or an original theme just for your
business—will include the layouts for several different
pages. These are known as page templates. There are
typically five or six standard page templates that come
with a CMS theme:
• Homepage template
• Top-level page template (“About
Us,” “Services,” etc.)
• Contact page template
• Blog homepage template
• Blog post template
• Archive page template
The price of your Web design project will vary based on
how many of these page templates are customized and
the extent of the customizations.
At the low end (around $800 to $1,000), you’ll get an
existing theme with a customized homepage. The other
page templates will get only slight modifications from
the original theme, so that the colors and fonts match
the customized homepage.
11. 11
For a little more money (around $1,000 to $2,000), you can
expect an existing theme with a customized homepage,
plus two to five additional customized page templates.
For about $2,000 to $3,000, you should expect an
existing theme with a customized homepage, plus six
or more customized page templates, including multiple
customized top-level page templates.
Above the $3,000 price point, depending on the level
of customization needed, your Web design vendor can
either work off of an existing theme making extensive
customizations to meet your needs, or can create a
completely original theme for your business.
For about $3,500 to $4,500, you should expect a
completely custom-designed homepage, and usually up
to seven additional page templates designed to meet the
more advanced needs of your site. Additional features
such as image galleries, custom graphics, and social
media integration may be included in this price range.
For around $4,500 to $7,000, you should expect a
completely custom-designed homepage template, and
usually up to ten additional page templates designed to
meet the more advanced needs of your site. Additional
features such as image galleries, custom graphics, and
social media integration will typically be included in this
price range.
“FOR A LITTLE MORE MONEY (AROUND $1,000
TO $2,000), YOU CAN EXPECT AN EXISTING
THEME WITH A CUSTOMIZED HOMEPAGE,
PLUS TWO TO FIVE ADDITIONAL CUSTOMIZED
PAGE TEMPLATES.”
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Level 3: Custom CMS
At the high end of modern Web design, you can
create a custom content management system tailored
specifically for your business or organization rather
than trying to conform to an existing CMS. This allows
for the integration of specific functionalities that will
benefit your business and those managing the website.
On the front end, your website design will have
extensive features and functionality, and many unique
page template designs. Some website management
may also be included free, or for a monthly fee.
Here’s a sample of what may be included. Some of
these features are available with Level 1 or Level 2
sites, but all of them are usually included with Level 3
packages:
• All hosting services (website,
domain name, and email)
• Custom graphics
• Multiple landing pages
• Email newsletter and social media integration
• Blog and forum development
• Custom internal search engine
• Photo, image, and video galleries
• Complex interactive forms
• Integration with back-office systems, such as
inventory records and accounting systems
• Custom e-commerce features, such as
product listings, a custom shopping cart,
CRM integration, and account details
viewable through the CMS directly
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Some benefits of going with a totally custom CMS include
the ability to integrate your website with the other systems
your organization uses: accounting, inventory, payroll,
CRM, etc. And custom CMS websites are usually more
secure than using popular CMS systems because the site
code is not readily available to hackers.
On the downside, once you go custom, it’s hard to go
back. You and your employees may have to learn the
custom system and train people who work on the site in
the future. It can be difficult getting your data out of a
custom site and into another program in the future. And
you will most likely have to pay for revisions and new
features as you go.
If you don’t need to develop custom CMS features,
you’re better off designing a high-end, original theme
for an existing CMS that will be easier and faster to
develop, launch, and learn. The additional budget can
be used to help improve the visibility of your website
and drive traffic via online marketing, search engine
optimization, or public relations.
“IF YOU DON’T NEED TO DEVELOP CUSTOM CMS
FEATURES, YOU’RE BETTER OFF DESIGNING A HIGH-
END, ORIGINAL THEME FOR AN EXISTING CMS.”
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This checklist will help you quickly assess
the best vendor for your needs.
Options, Features & Services
Homepage Template Design
5-page Template Designs
7-page Template Designs
10-page Template Designs
Blog Template Design
E-Commerce Functionality
Mobile Compatibility
Custom Mobile Design
Adding Page Content
Stock Images
Custom Graphics
Interactive Form(s) Development
Embedding Videos
Uploading Documents
Website Tracking Setup
Domain Registration
Website Hosting
Email Hosting
CMS Training
Monthly Site Maintenance/Support
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
My Needs Vendor 1 Vendor 2 Vendor 3
WEB DESIGN CHECKLIST
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Bandwidth: The amount of information (or data) that can be
sent or received on a website. This usually translates into the
amount of traffic and/or downloads a website can handle.
Content Management System (CMS): A system to create,
update, and manage all pages of a website—typically via a
back-end dashboard that often looks like a word processor.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Website: Also known as a “Site
Builder” website, this site can be created without any
knowledge of HTML or another programming language—
and without hiring a Web design firm—via an easy-to-use,
but rather limited, CMS.
Domain Registration: The address of your website, which
has to be registered in a public database so visitors can
access the site.
Email Hosting: Allows a website owner to establish email
accounts with the registered domain name.
PageTemplate: A designed layout for a specific page
included within a website theme or template.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): The art and science of
improving a website’s visibility in search engines. A website
should be designed and developed in accordance with
SEO best practices.
Website Design: Creating the actual appearance of a
website—including graphics, color scheme, font styles,
and layout.
Website Development: The “behind-the-scenes”
programming or coding of a website so that it displays
properly in a Web browser.
Website Hosting: A website is stored (or hosted) on a
server so that it’s available for visiting.
WebsiteTemplate: A predesigned and coded website
theme usually found in DIY websites; customers select the
website template they like best, modify settings, and then
launch their website immediately.
WebsiteTheme: A collection of files used with a CMS that
includes all the images, design, and layout of a website.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS