Website design done right is complex and requires a number of different skill sets that aren’t commonly found in any one person, especially someone that doesn’t do this for a living. Some of these skills include:

• HTML savvy. Good web design software can help. But the kind of HTML code produced by many WYSIWYG (”what you see is what you get”) programs can be kludgy and hard to maintain. Fine-tuning your design requires you to get into the raw HTML code.
• Graphic design, color experience and good artistic taste. No software package bestows artistic taste on its user, but good taste is indispensable for an attractive site. Of course, graphic software expertise is required to produce attractive and clean photos and site graphics, optimized to the smallest possible file size for quick loading.
• Website navigation design and implementation. Helping visitors get where they need to go quickly and efficiently is difficult, especially on sites over 20 webpages or so. Good navigation design comes from experience, not from good software.
• CGI and database programming. Even smaller sites use a “contact us” form and often a site search program that require CGI program installation and configuration. Larger sites may need to be integrated with an online database, which is no job for the faint of heart.
• JavaScript and Flash programming. Functional websites are dramatically helped by Flash and JavaScript features such as animation, drop-down navigation menus, and small windows that open to answer a hyperlinked question. Automatic pop-up windows that encourage e-zine subscriptions can be effective, but can be annoying if you don’t make them to turn off after one pop — and these days are increasingly blocked by pop-up blockers.
• Marketing and business experience. An outside company doesn’t really understand your business like you do. Make sure you communicate exactly what you need to achieve. The best website design firms understand how to build Web marketing into the site design to make it search engine friendly, to make the sales pages really sell, etc.

What does outsourcing cost? For a simple five or six page website, expect to pay $750 to $1,500 at most places. For a more complex site you may pay $3,000 to $10,000 and up. For database-driven sites you’ll need custom programming. Of course, sites designed for high traffic or for Internet-focused companies can cost much more. At B2Bimage.com, our website design plan is very affordable. At only $77 per month, you get a fantastic website design and continual updates. To learn more about our affordable website plans or if you need a highly customized website, please visit our main site at www.b2bimage.com or send us an email to sales@b2bimage.com.

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