Years ago, someone asked me, "So how much does it cost to build a website?" As if there was a "one size fits all" solution.
I replied, "Well, how much do you think it costs to build a house?"
"That depends on so many things. How big of a house are you wanting? One bedroom? Five? How many levels? Do you want a basement? How complicated is the style? What kind of materials do you want to use? What's the location? How fast do you need it?"
"Go on," I said.
"Ok, ok, I see what you are getting at."
And I realized how very similar building a web presence and building a house really are. From mobile homes to estates and castles, even shops. Skyscrapers. Corporate offices. You get the gist.
So, where do you start if it's new construction? Well, if you are on a shoestring budget and only need something small, you can try a "do-it-yourself" kit. It can be intimidating, but usually, there are some sort of instruction manuals and pre-built template parts. You buy a "lot" to put it on, and with any luck, you can get something up in a few days.
So now, let's say you want something a little "sturdier." You hire a consultant to help you out. Someone to tell you what materials are right for your needs. Someone who makes sure you have a good "foundation" to build on, gives you the. best tips on how to set up roomshat there is a good ‚ flow" to the house, gives you advice on current styles and trends. That someone also knows about "curb appeal." They take care of making sure regulations are met and that people can find you easily (if that's what you want). And, knowing that styles and tastes change, they will make sure you end up with something that will withstand renovations for years to come.
On that note, let's say you have an existing home that you want to upgrade. But the foundation is a little shaky. A professional can come in and help you replace your foundation so your "house" can withstand the elements better. So you don't have to worry about replacing a wall without the whole building collapsing. And while they are at it, they can help you freshen up your aesthetics; a fresh coat of paint, some new furniture, updated art pieces.
After you are settled in your new place, you also want to make sure your home is secure and that no one can break-in in the middle of the night or while you are away. So you install a security system with constant monitoring. You want to be reassured that if something DOES happen that you are protected.
Now let's say you are a big corporation, and you need a whole new office building, with all the bells and whistles, a top-of-the-line security system, a foundation that can withstand earthquakes, and thousands of people coming in and out daily. You need different levels of key card access for customers and employees. You want to make sure your customers can easily find you. And you want to make sure you are current with market trends. You need an enterprise-level consulting company that is familiar with this level of construction. Someone that can help your business thrive, not just survive.
It's a lot to think about. I know. And there is no "one size fits all." But there are resources out there to help you.
So, how much would it cost to build YOUR house, YOUR site, with your specs, your materials of preference, in your time frame, with a solid foundation and an expert crew? If you need help figuring all that out, call us. We can talk about it.
In order to be an industry leader, you need the right technical expertise. We help design web experiences, optimize digital products, and embrace innovative technologies to solve complex business problems.