Web and Graphic Design by Miranda Sterling
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My pricing is based on my estimate of how much time your job will require. Every job is a little different--or a lot different. As we discuss your needs, I will be able to offer you a clear plan of work-flow and cost.
Generally, I try to have the estimate work out to give me around $45 per hour of actual hands-on web design, which is really only a small part of the work. I rarely bill for time spent on emails or phone calls, although I spend a good deal of time communicating with clients. This should be reassuring, since designing a site generally involves a lot of back-and-forth communication, and many questions arise along the way. I would rather you feel secure knowing you can get your questions answered. If the volume becomes extraordinary, I will let you know, and we can discuss options.
I have a special rate for non-profit organizations. Please contact me to discuss your group's needs.
How long does a job take?
This can vary so much depending on what you want. A simple site with a basic layout and graphics already provided might take as little as 10-15 hours. A more complex job with more pages, custom graphics, photography and photo editing could take 50 or more hours.
A site I recently completed for an online retailer was somewhat complex: eight pages with custom-designed graphics, a multi-option shopping cart, detailed product options, two sets of custom navigation and photography and photo editing of three dozen products. This job took approximately 55 hours.
Most of my projects have involved some degree of custom graphics and basic shopping cart or form coding. These projects take about 25-35 hours. Your project will be unique to your needs, so my first task is to help you decide exactly what you want within your budget.
Can you work on this web page or design I already have?
Possibly so. If you have an old site you wish to revamp, or the bones of a site that you or someone else started, I will be glad to see what can be applied to your new site.
Many clients have asked me to use something they already had as a starting point for our work together, and it is not uncommon to be asked to take up where another designer left off. In many cases, I end up using some or all of the original appearance, but rewriting the HTML to make the site work more smoothly.
I want to edit my own website.You bet! More and more people are interested in doing this, even if they have no interest in learning HTML. I can install for you a content management system, customized to your particular needs, which will allow you to type in your own text, add or move pictures, add new products to your shopping cart, and much more.
What happens next?When you contact me about a website or other project, you will receive a free consultation. At that time, we'll talk about what you need and what choices are available. After this consultation, I will write a proposal with a thorough description of your job and a cost estimate. When I send you the proposal, I'll ask you to go through it carefully to be sure we have covered all your needs since making unexpected changes or adding new elements to the site will increase the final cost. Once you have approved this proposal, it will serve as our contract and you'll make the agreed upon down-payment.
Typically, the next step is for me to provide you with an initial site design. This will be a simplified lay-out that allows you to visualize the final site. From here, we make changes until you are satisfied with the look and feel. Only after you have approved the design does the main work begin.
My goal is to create trust throughout the whole process. I want you to be happy. I will be in close contact with you throughout your project, and you will have a chance to say yes or no to any suggestions. Payments are made at set stages throughout the process to make sure you know what you're getting and approve every decision that's been made along the way.
Can you host my website?
Certainly! I will have this up on my site fairly soon (nobody pays the web designer to write her own site, and I've been wonderfully busy lately!) I've teamed up with a top-notch company, and can now offer you very stable, reliable hosting, with all the bandwidth and space you'll ever need. In many cases, I will also be able to provide you with a free domain name. For now, just ask me!
