In light of my recent financial discussions with a client, I thought it would be a good idea to post this information.

Below you will find information I have gathered from various companies and blogs on web development costs.

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For Web Site Owners
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Keep in mind that you are not just paying for the developer’s time, you are paying for the knowledge and insight they have acquired over many years of experience.

Sure your computer geek nephew knows HTML and could build a web site for just $100. He also knows how to use a screwdriver. Does this mean he could build a safe, reliable, and fuel-efficient car for you? Probably not, so why take the same risk with your web site, a potentially large value-center for your company?

As a consumer of web site development services it is important that you take some steps to educate yourself about the process. An informed consumer is knowledgeable about what he or she wants to buy and does research on options, availability, and market prices. These are the basic elements of an average web site project:

• Hosting
• Database Design
• Business Logic Programming
• Markup, Styling, and Graphic Design
• Standards-compliance, Accessibility, and Testing
• Ongoing Maintenance

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Average General Costs:
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For an interactive web site with custom design and quality coding,expect to pay somewhere in the range of $2,000 to $15,000.

Hourly rate for website development costs:
* $60/hour (USD)

Bronze Package - $790
    * 2 - 5 pages, approximately 300 words per page.
    * Up to 10 photos (provided by you in .jpg format)**.

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Difference Between Web Application and Web Site
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You should definitely know whether you want a web site or a web application - they are not the same.

A web site usually contains informational content with very limited amount of advanced functionality - if any. Anyone with just HTML and  Javascript knowledge can build a web site - even from scratch. Usually site owners begin with a web site, then find the need to convert their site to a web application.

Example: www.pcsitter.info

A web application is a web site on steroids - stronger in functionality/interaction and much richer in graphical user interface design. The advanced functionality are only limited by the web developer, so the possibilities are endless. Web developers have the foundational knowledge required (HTML, Javascript, CSS) plus software development backgrounds and utilize technologies such as ASP.NET, J2EE, PHP, etc.

Example: http://nepurs.info/Mp3Player/Details.aspx?AlbumID=38&Page=0

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Resources
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http://www.solosignal.com/how-much-should-web-site-design-development-and-hosting-cost
http://www.pacificwebsites.com/website-development-charges.htm
http://www.ihr.com/ihr/development/typical_costs.html