Web Applications for Business
Barkingweb Pricing
Determining your requirement?
Before we can quote for a web site we first need to determine the exact scope of the project. The size of the web site is one factor that has obvious cost implications but there are also many other factors that need consideration. For example, the functionality of a web site is very important. A simple static, or non-dynamic web site, is easier to build and can be costed relatively easily. However, adding dynamic interactivity to a web site or building in Flash and adding video and audio, can be more complex and therefore costly. Secure server-side database functionality and e-commerce capabilities are other examples of major applications that can only be costed through consultation.
What should you budget for?
The average cost of developing a web site varies greatly depending on the functionality, size and requirements of the site. Prices will also vary depending on the amount of development and interactive content that the Web site requires. Barkingweb can provide copy editing and image preparation and even provide custom images if required. We are also happy to work with client supplied copy and non Web ready images. As we provide a bespoke service it is not unusual for us to advise on suitable use of images and how to prepare typical print copy for Web use. The best approach is for you to determine your requirements (with our extensive planning guide if needed) and budget. We will then work with you to determine how best to meet your project goals within your budget constraints. Call (425) 881 8136 or Email for more information.
It is preferable to quote by project, which helps your budget control and elimates the risk of project creep. We also provide consultative services if, for example, you want to have an existing site evaluated for modern coding and usability standards. Maintenance and non-project development are charged at $70 per hour and programming is $100 per hour. The option is yours, making funding flexible for staged work or easily determinable for full projects. If you are concerned about enduring maintenance costs or your site will require frequent updates, ask about self-help content management(CM) software for your Web site. CM software saves the expense of having to train company personnel to handle raw html or having to purchase expensive maintenance contracts from the developer and can require nothing more than a simple CM text editor. Call us for details.
High quality imagery is an essential feature in any professional Web site. More clients have come to realize that high impact and visually exciting and engaging pictures hold the user's attention and conveys a professional message. If you consider that image production and preparation for Web use can be quite costly, it makes sense to use a few excellent images, which will have more impact that many poor images. Fewer images also reduce file size and allows pages to download more quickly.
We are happy to create logos and other branding graphics, particularly as print based imagery and logos may not work well in the Web environment. As an example, the Barkingweb logo (a pool of metallic liquid, which represents the free-flowing ideas of the company's design philosophy) looks good as a simple banner on a Web page. The same logo may not look as good in print as the contrast is too flat. The converse is true of print media; highly detailed, multi-coloured graphics may look poor on the average user's monitor but stunning in a glossy magazine. We can advise on how your existing imagery and graphics would look on the Web. Dynamic presentation of information, through moving graphics and animations are popular in modern Web sites. Dynamic web sites are very exciting and can really immerse the user in the Web experience. However, the real secret to dynamic content and delivering great interactivity, is to not overpower or annoy the user, and deliver relevant, engaging and personalized content. Limited use of more advanced animation, such as Adobe's Flash CS3, is very effective and some client's have asked for complete sites built in Flash, which is now a reality without hindering accessibility. We use ColdFusion MX 7 and Apache servers to support the great features of PHP, ,MySQL, Flash CS3 and Flash Paper but we also support other technologies when necessary. Check out some great examples of Flash sites at Flash Forward Conference for inspiration and to see what can be created with this exciting technology.
Of course you don't need to have a Web site built entirely in Flash; in fact we generally recommend only using Flash to enhance xhtml sites. We mix Flash with xhtml and xml, as well as back-end processing with ColdFusion and PHP to deliver a fantastic user experience that is always focused on the user and delivering an enjoyabe and engaging experience. In fact, if you look at the current web sites featured in our Portfolio you will see that they are all effective, engaging xhtml based Web sites that utilize subtle Flash where it makes the best impact. These sites prove that you can create engaging, beautiful Web sites (even if we say so ourselves!) with simple technologies. However, you can see one complete Flash only site in the Portfolio, too.
Summary
You have read about our thoughts on project costing and we hope that these are helpful? However, there are always innovative and fresh ideas that develop from our discussions with the client and it is only by meeting and discussing your project that we can really determine what you need. We focus on providing a great, personal service that meets your project budget, and if it can be done without compromising your business or our reputation, then we will deliver whatever you require. In fact, we have never missed a deadline or compromised a budget; something that we are very proud of, particularly when you consider that recent research suggests that over 70% of projects are over budget and late. The best thing to do is talk to us about your requirements and let us see what we can do together. We provide one free consultation meeting at your location so give us a call once you have checked out the rest of the Web site for more information on our Workflow and checked the Latest News.
Please call (425) 881 8136 or email to Barkingweb. We look forward to hearing from you.