WHAT INSPIRED THIS EPISODE?

We've talked about websites before on this podcast - how your website isn't about you, and how it can be a bit of a balancing act to get the content creation and design processes just right for a website project. However, even though most people have at least a vague understanding that a lot of work goes into a website, there is one question we get from clients, prospects and others on an almost daily basis:

"Why do websites cost so much?"

To answer that question, first you need to understand that some people don't understand the effort that goes into a website project. And then there are those who, quite frankly, want a champagne website on a water budget - and that just isn't happening. 

The reality is that what drives the cost of a website up or down will depend on the project itself. But as a rule of thumb, you can expect to get out of a website design or redesign project what you put into it - from both a time and money perspective.

That said, we know, "Well, it depends," is a completely obnoxious answer. So in this episode, we get brutally honest about our processes, the hard numbers and what really goes the pricing of a website. (Spoiler alert: As my modest two-bedroom apartment can attest, those larger price tags are certainly not designed to pad my wallet.)

SO, WHAT DID WE TALK ABOUT?

• It was my last day before vacation, and I was in a mood
• What falls through the cracks when you cut corners in who you hire to build your website?
• Do people really want to know what level of effort is required to build a website?
• How does who you hire for a website influence price?
• How have websites changed, and how has that influenced the website design and redesign process?
• Working with inbound marketing agencies vs. traditional design agencies for websites
• Is involving inbound marketing with a website project just complicating things?
• What problems do people tell us they're having, when they want to redesign their website?
• What does it mean to "blow up" your content and start completely from scratch?
• How do we price our websites at Quintain?
• And more... 

 

HERE’S WHAT WE HAD TO SAY: JESSIE-LEE

“A big part of the price of a website is who you hire."

"Your website isn't going to cost the same price if your nephew does it, or if I do it for you. The kind of expertise you're getting from us, is not the expertise you're going to get from the college kid next door."

"Traditional ad agencies are often going to be focusing first on aesthetics. But in my mind, the purpose of a website is to make sure that you can get conversions. You need leads to turn into customers."

"Your website is the one salesperson you have that works 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

 

LIZ

“I never learned to read. I just have hamsters on wheels under my desk, manually operating typewriters."

"Websites are no longer online billboards. So the function of developing a website has also evolved."

"The price of a website - and how much it will or will not cost you - will depend on how much you want to put it, and how much you're blowing up and starting from scratch."

"You can't blow up all of the content on your website and then say, 'Now you figure it out' Just like you can't take a sledgehammer to your house, give me a tiny broom and a dustpan and say, 'Figure it out.'"
 

HERE ARE THE RESOURCES WE TALKED ABOUT:

• Flying Dog's The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale
• "It's Decorative Gourd Season..." via Timothy McSweeney's
• "How Much Should You Spend on a Website Redesign?" by Jessie-Lee
• "Dear Marketers: Content Creators Are Not Your Line Cooks" by Jay Acunzo
  

GET IN TOUCH AND SPREAD THE CREATOR’S BLOCK LOVE

What did you think of this episode? Is there another topic or question you want us to take on? Or do you just want to say hi? Reach out to us on Twitter at @CreatorsBlockHQ or using the hashtag #creatorsblockparty. You can also say hi to me at @naptownpint and Jessie-Lee at @jhyphenl. You can also join us in the Creator's Block Podcast group on Facebook, where you can ask questions and get inspired.

And don’t forget - whether you love us or hate us - we would really appreciate you reviewing our podcast on iTunes! 

…until next week!