How Much Should I spend on Web Design

I checked the Warriors For Hire section last week and got a mini site quote from someone with an impressive portfolio for $37. It included a header, footer, ebook cover and CD graphics - all the same color scheme and theme. That was the lowest quote. A couple more came in at $47, one at $52 and one at $82.

Hey Jesse,

There's so many factors to consider when deciding on a web designer. You can get cheap work done as mentioned above, however if you're after something solid, cleanly-coded and well presented with graphics then you'll be looking at paying more. The phrase "you get what you pay for" rings true more than ever in the web design industry. Other factors to consider apart from price; portfolio, turnaround time, communication and track record.

Hope this helps mate!

Brent

There are so many variables to consider that it's nearly impossible to give a simple answer to your question.

The vast majority of 'web designers' are, in fact, graphics designers. This is fine if all you want is a pretty website that gets 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs' from your friends and relatives. But if you expect your website to actually capture customers from the internet, you need someone who actually understands internet marketing. Few graphics designers are thus qualified.

I own a small local web design company and my USP is:

"[My company name] creates direct response marketing enabled and search engine optimized websites for your small business and your budget"

I charge no less than $500 for a website (which may be up to ten pages) and I am among the lowest priced of my local competitors who are nearly all 'graphics designers'.

Many of my clients have already paid thousands for websites with impressive graphics and 'flash' headers and animations but were disappointed at the results, or lack of results, when it came to actual business generated. They've found that a simpler, less 'pretty', less 'flashy', but highly optimized and marketing oriented website produces better results.

A rather well known marketer, familiar to many here, has an 'ugly' website with no graphics at all and yet he is a multi-millionaire many times over.

You seem to be on the right track and I've no doubt you can find what you're looking for right here among Warriors.

P.S. I'm not soliciting your business. I only deal with local clients and I already have to turn business away

It really depends what you are looking for. "High tech fancy stuff" is not what costs the designer time. it is the client not knowing what he/she wants and endless changes having to be made. Your best bet is to find one or two example sites and point the designer to them when asking for a quote.

Use scriptlance or something similar and make sure you look at the portfolio and have a bit of a conversation with the designer before going ahead.
brent

Man if only I had a dollar for every time I heard that as a freelancer.