In my time as a Cincinnati based website designer, I would have to say about 40% of my clients are either looking for a re-design of an existing website, or for me to fix what another company, well… didn’t do so good.
Because of that last set of folks, I have been privy to a few proposals from other local website design companies, mostly because they want me to quote based on what the original website was supposed to contain.
It doesn’t happen often, but I have definitely been shocked by a few of the “features” some companies include and charge for. You wouldn’t believe the “bells and whistles” people don’t know they are paying for!
Here’s a list of the top “features” you should never pay for on a website. Prepare for a rant.
1. One of the worst “special features” I ever saw someone charge for was an email link. Yes, a simple href=mailto:whatever@email.com link. This company was charging $25 per email link in the website. Talk about ripping off your unsuspecting clients. Who charges extra for that?
2. I have often seen companies charge upwards of $4500 for an installed content management system and then never give their clients access to the system. The point of the system is so that the client can update the website themselves, so if you see this on a quote and you didn’t ask for it, make sure they take it off because you’re getting ripped off.
3. Maintenance fees. What? The only recurring fees you should EVER pay for a website are hosting and domain registration. Most of my clients update their website 1-4 times per year. I charge them per update for whatever time it takes to make that update, however I have seen companies charge $150 per month for “website maintenance”. What are they maintaining? Do they sit there and watch it 24/7 to make sure its still there? Come on…
4. Ok so this isn’t necessarily a “feature”, but I have seen designers charge a flat rate for a website no matter how large or small. The individual I’m thinking of charged $1000 for every website he did. $500 upfront and $500 at the end. 1 page or 100 pages, it didn’t matter…. $1000. I think I’m more saddened that he had clients who fell for it. If you’re not getting an itemized quote showing exactly what everything costs on your website, either get more information, or move on!
The point is, the average Joe doesn’t know anything about websites, which is perfectly fine. However if this is you, PLEASE make sure your website design company isn’t trying to take advantage of you by making you pay $25 for an email link. Get several quotes for starters, and ask questions. Any respectable website geek will be happy to help you understand what you are getting for your money.