COSTS
What Are The Costs?
(1) A Domain Name
You will have to register or “rent” a
domain name. A domain name is basically the name of your website. An
example of a domain name is: webdata.us. Every
domain name ends in a “top level domain name” (the part
after the “dot” like .com, .net or .us). An entire “web
address” or URL, would be: http://www.webdata.us.
(This is actually more complicated but it gives you an idea. For a
complete explanation see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name).
I strongly suggest that you get your own domain name.
You can use this domain name no matter who is the host of your website
and no matter where the host computer is located. Once you start using
and advertising your Internet address you really don’t want to
change domain name address. As an analogy, it’s a bit like changing
your phone number.
Domain names are “rented” – you
can register a name for one year and up. Make sure you pay your registration
bill on time. If you don’t pay on time anyone else can grab your
name.
Costs for a domain name vary, and can run from free
to $35.00 or more per year. Free isn’t really “free” but
usually entails a cost to host your site with the company that you
register your domain name with.
Choosing a domain name can be an exercise in frustration.
Most people would like a name with a .COM extension. Currently there
are over 70 million .COM addresses in use. The odds of actually getting
your first choice are slim. Even the following West Genesee Teachers’ Association
abbreviations (WGTA) are in use (or are at least “registered”):
wgta.com, wgta.org, and wgta.biz.
Hence we are wgta.net. The newest extensions
(.us and .us.com) have the greatest possibilities for finding a name
you are happy with. To check out your potential domain names
(there is no cost to check out the availability of domain names) go
to:
- Network Solutions - http://www.networksolutions.com
- Go Daddy.com - http://godaddy.com
- Register.com - http://www.register.com/retail/index.rcmx
- Dotster - http://www.dotster.com/
If you would like some assistance I can help you
get a domain name and set up an account.
(2) Web Host
A web hosting service is a company that stores all
of the information used in the construction of your website on a computer
and allows Internet connections to that information. The cost
of a web host ranges from “free” on up, depending on a
lot of factors. “Free” web hosting may entail advertising
or purchasing some other services and isn’t really “free.” For
a much more detailed description of what web hosting entails visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_hosting_services.
Price should not be your only consideration – also
consider how much down time the hosting service has as well as other
features that they may offer. The total cost for a web host can also
vary by the size and usage of your site. I can help you chose a host
that is appropriate for your website.
(3) A Home Page
You must have a “Home Page.” This
is where people initially access your information (it is the page of
your website where people are taken when they type in your domain name).
The "Home" page is the most important page on your website
and will usually take the longest to develop. For a detailed explanation
of home pages see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_page.
If you look at this website you'll notice that all
the pages have the same header across the top, the same navigation
system, and the same information at the bottom. You want a certain
consistency across your site so that people know how to easily navigate
from one section to the other. Home pages should be color coordinated.
Getting the Home page right is the key to the rest of the site. You
should work closely with your Webmaster to get a friendly, attractive
and easy to understand Home page. I charge $150 to develop a home page
because of all the work involved to get it “just right.”
(4) The Rest of Your Site
You can have any number of pages on your site that
you wish. I charge $65.00 for a “basic” website page (other
than the home page) for a website that is less than 25 pages long.
A basic page means that you had all the words already typed on Word or
could e-mail them to me (so I didn't have to type them in, proof read,
etc.). Labor-intensive web pages (i.e. if I have to type in lots and
lots of words, proof read and correct the articles, etc.) can cost
more. Websites larger than 25 pages I offer a $15 per page discount,
to $50.00 per page.
What are your goal(s) for the website? Your goals should
direct the content of your site. For a teacher's union website to get
started I suggest that you consider the following website package:
(1) A Home page
(2) A "Meet the Union" page – tells who you are
(3) A "How to Contact the Union" page
(4) A "Newsletter" section -- if you do a newsletter
(5) A "Cabinet Meeting Minutes" page
(6) A "Breaking News" page
(7) A "Union Benefits" Section
(8) A "Kudos" section
(9) A school calendar section
(10) A small "Links" section (including State and Federal
links).
The approximate cost for the layout described above
would be:
Home page ………………………………………...
$150.00
9 additional pages @ $65 each ……………….… $585.00
Domain name plus one year web hosting ……..$120.00
(this cost can vary)
Approximate
Total …………… $855.00
Again, your website can have 1 page or 500+ pages.
The size of your site should be determined by the goals you have for
your website. You can also add / delete / change web pages as
you site evolves. The WGTA.net website contains at least 200 pages.
Remember, however, I have been working on it since 1998!
Business websites are charged using the same fee structure.
The goals of your business should also direct the content of your site.
Business sites have unique issues to deal with, like an ordering and
payment method -- but the principals of a good website construction
are always the same. You will eventually need to know what products
you wish to sell on your website and how you would like those products
organized. Because of the complex nature of business websites, if you
have a business you'd like to put up on the Internet please contact
me for additional information.
If you purchase a website package from me costing
over $500 (not including the domain name and web host) I will provide
you with 3 free updates per month for the first three months. After
that the cost to do updates vary depending on the amount of work
necessary. Basically, if I have to put up an entire new page the
cost is either $65 or $50 per page depending on the size of your
site. Small changes (like a price change) are free. Changes more
complex than a simple price change but less labor intensive than
installing a new page are charged $15.00 per hour. Prices will be
discussed prior to web page construction and are flexible and negotiable.
If you would like to discuss costs please feel free
to contact me. My E-mail address is: davis@twcny.rr.com and
my cell phone number is 315-382-4333.
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This page was last updated on November
15, 2011.
WebData.us
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