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Got A Question?
Thought so.
How much will this cost?
The biggie is usually 'how much?' Hmm, let's just say there are probably cheaper options out there. But realistically, minimum spend on a site is likely to be around £2000 ex VAT. Some of course cost more. Average spend on a typical web design project last year was around £3500 ex VAT.
Is this expensive? I don't think so, but then I wouldn't, would I? You could ask my clients, who apparently don't think so either. A lot of my work is from repeat business (which either means I'm really good at this or I'm too cheap, but they won't tell me which... possibly both. That's a worry itself).
Of course, every design project is different, so it's difficult to give ballpark figures upfront. But if I submit a proposal, I'll give you itemised costs wherever possible. And stick to them, unless you change something major... but I'll let you know if the invoice will vary by more than 5%, so there won't be any nasty surprises.
Print projects are also hard to give typical prices for. Not only do you have my costs, but there's the cost of the print job itself, which depends on loads of factors. I can tell you about these, but not just now.
Believe it or not, sometimes I do stuff for less than I quoted. This is obviously very stupid, and I'm trying to find some pills which will prevent it happening again.
How long does it take?
That's normally up to you. Usually I've got several weeks work scheduled in advance, but it varies.
Once we agree a schedule, though, I'll stick to it. Unless someone offers me more money, obviously, in which case I'll lie to you and do theirs first.
But very often I find myself waiting for clients to do something - approve copy, take photographs, finalise prototypes, save up enough money, etc. So projects which actually represent perhaps 6 or 7 days work can typically take several weeks or even months to complete. Depressingly, my accountant insists I can only charge you for the hours I actually work on your stuff.
To allow me to eat in the interim, I charge a third of the 'core' project cost when you accept the proposal, and monthly progress invoices therafter.
If you're 'ready to go' - unusual, but not unknown - I can often get things completed quite quickly. The Axia and DSHC sites, for instance, were both 'live' on the web within a few weeks of an initial meeting.
NB. Links to other sites will open in a new browser window.
Are you any good?
Er... Yes. Very. (What did you expect me to say?). Not inclined to take my word for it? That may be reflected in your invoice should you become convinced in due course - or you can look at the work and testimonial stuff. Alternatively, I have a tape I can send you which you should play while you're asleep each night.
What's hidden in the 'small print?'
Not much actually. Unless you've annoyed me.
When I give you a proposal document, there will be lot of stuff about which formats I need for artwork and copy, what exactly is included in the quote, what isn't, stuff about technical specs, testing sites and why you shouldn't believe anything you read on the internet.
All you care about is that it works, right? Actually, that's all I care about too, it's just I have to test it in different browsers on different computers. There are more of them than you might think. Browsers, not computers. I don't know how many computers you think there are.
Most people know Internet Explorer, but I also test in Firefox, Safari and Opera. Plus I'll check a site in a screen-reader and a text-only browser. This all takes time, but it's a good idea. There are few things more frustrating than not having sex for a while, but your browser not working with a particular site is pretty annoying too.