Frequently asked questions
How much does a website cost?
The price of a website is based on time required (including graphic design and development) plus materials (including domain name registration, hosting, CMS and photography). As every website has different requirements, we can only give a quote after we understand your particular needs. However, as some guidance, a professional, straightforward small business website would start at around $4000 for the visual design and development. You would also need to factor in around $500 per year (give or take a little depending on your needs) covering various ongoing costs such as website hosting and domain name registration. Larger or e-commerce websites require more time in consultation, design and development and as such, cost more.
How long will it take to build my website?
The website development process generally takes 4–8 weeks, but this may be shorter for very straightforward sites or longer for larger or more complex sites. We will provide you with an estimate of the project length with your quotation. We will confirm the start date and schedule once our quotation has been accepted. You will have the opportunity to review and approve the work at both the concept design and implementation stages.
Which services do I need? The technical terms are confusing!
A standard website will need the following services (all provided by Webmistress). These are all interrelated and need to be present and set up correctly for your website to work, and will all be covered in our quote, if applicable. You do not need to source these things separately (indeed, it can make it harder if you do!)
- Domain name(s) – this is the web address of your website e.g. ‘webmistress.com.au’. Think of your domain name as being like registering a business name. We’ll talk through the options and register a suitable name for you.
- Email – you need a professional email address e.g. info@webmistress.com.au is ours. We’ll talk with you and find the best email setup for your needs.
- Hosting – this is the service that runs your website and delivers your content to the world.
- Website design and build – this is the graphic design and programming of the pages.
Additional components that go into a website, which are normally supplied by the client, are:
- Photography – we can put you in touch with a photographer and liaise with them to get the best results for your print and web material.
- Copywriting – we work with various writers around Hobart and can put you in touch with a wordsmith if you are not comfortable writing your own content.
Finally, we’ll just mention of your internet connection, as it’s a common point of confusion. Your internet connection is what connects your computer to the internet. It may be ADSL, cable, wireless, mobile broadband, satellite or even dial up. You require an internet connection to look at webpages and read your email. However, this is completely independent of your website and any work we do, and you may get your broadband internet connection from any provider you wish. We do not provide internet connections.
How do I choose a web developer?
For many clients the task of choosing a website developer is hard due to the technical aspect of the work. A good place to start when assessing web developers is with their portfolio of work—both the way it looks and the way it works—and by asking them about their training, qualifications and experience rather than comparing only by price.
Why should I choose Webmistress to build my website?
We are passionate about producing quality work and the people who will work on your site are highly trained and exceptionally skilled in their disciplines. We have been working with web standards for over ten years and are still one of only a handful of standards aware website design firms. We feel strongly about providing high levels of usability and accessibility in our sites. We love what we do and hope our work is evidence of this.
Who will I work with on this project?
Your project team will comprise of a visual designer and website developer and may also include a range of other professionals such as content writers and photographers. Read more about the Webmistress team
Can I update my website myself once it has been built?
Our sites are built to the highest quality standards in terms of code, accessibility and cross browser display so we do not recommend our customers update the raw website code themselves. In order for the website’s quality to be maintained we perform updates for clients at an hourly rate (most updates don’t take long).
We also offer a CMS (content management system) solution that allows you to easily and quickly update and edit your web pages as well as the files, images and links within your website. This is an option for clients who wish to make regular updates to their website content themselves whilst maintaining the quality of the website.
What happens after my website has been built?
We have an ongoing relationship with our clients and are exceptionally interested in keeping your website looking great and being relevant to your audience into the future. Once your website has been built and launched, we are available to make updates or provide consultation as necessary. We will also communicate with you and send an invoice when various items need to be renewed such as hosting and domain names.
Can I have a website just like this other person’s website?
We can definitely design one for you just as attractive! However, we don’t create the same design for two sites. We give every client a quality design tailored just for them. However, if there are aspects of other sites that you like, let us know so we get a clear picture of what you are after.
Can you update my existing site?
Most people come to us for a complete website design, but we do have a few clients where we maintain existing websites not created by us. This can happen if the previous web developer has changed jobs or industries and is happy for us to take over updates. We are able to maintain your existing website provided the website code meets some minimum quality standards. If your website was not built by a reputable or skilled professional, chances are we will decline the opportunity to work on your existing website (unless you would like a complete website redesign or rebuild).
Do you do work for non-profit organisations?
Yes, we do work for charities, non-profit organisations and other good causes. We believe that it is especially important that these organisations have quality, accessible websites. Contact us for more information.
What are your payment terms?
The payment schedule for your project will include an initial deposit and staged payments based on the size and length of the job. All invoices will be issued electronically in PDF format. Payment terms are strictly 14 days from the date of invoice. Webmistress accepts payment by credit card, internet banking, cheque and money order. Late fees are charged for overdue payments.
What if I need a really cheap website?
Webmistress provides tailored websites primarily to organisations and businesses. However, if what you are after is a very low-cost personal website, we understand that you may not have the budget required for a professional web presence. While it’s not viable for us to take on projects where we cannot be paid for our time, we can point you in the right direction. You might like to try WordPress or Blogger as good places to get a free blog; you just set up an account, choose one of their pre-built templates, and start writing. Please note this approach is not recommended for any professional organisation, but it’s a great approach to get you started with a personal website.