The Big Hit : Web Designer & Web Developer Fees
The web..the fastest growing way of doing business. By Brick and mortar standards, is incredibly less expensive and normalizes the difference between small and large companies. But it is not without it’s costs. The exchange for a building is technology. Technology that can be powerful and yet dangerous in the wrong hands.
Many young startup feel they can do their website. But… are you sure? Remember that the easiest and cheapest solutions are not always the best. Never could there be a more erogenous decision. There is a knowledge and skill set that is required, to perform the task successfully. A task, that not done properly, that can kill you business, before it even get’s started. Why risk it? Experience and knowledge are the key.
Who are these individuals who understand the web and what are they going to cost you?
WEB DESIGNERS VS WEB DEVELOER?
Are they not the same person? NO!
WEB DESIGNER
Web designers are the individuals who create how the website looks and flows. Appearances and usability. Another name would be Uix Designers, standing for user -interface. They do not code the back-end, they make sure the experience of the website works for the business and customer.
This includes knowledge such as:
- HTML and CSS knowledge
- Understanding the Principles of website design and web accessibility standards
- Responsive and interaction design
- Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
- User mapping
- Wireframing and prototyping
- Branding, color theory, and typography
- Design tools and software
- High-end WordPress usage
WEB DEVELOPER
Web Developers, are the engineers of websites. They code tools that enable a web designer to do their job. In a CMS environment, they would be responsible for the tools that a Web Designer will use such as Plugins, extensions and themes. All the while keeping the flow of the code organized in a object-oriented way. In one way, they are suppose to be the servants of the Web Designer. They make their life easier to achieve the vision of design.
The knowledge set these web developers need are on a high order of technicality and require knowledge of how the internet works, how operating system work and more.
Some of the knowledge and skills they use:
- Coding and programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, ASP and jQuery
- MySQL and similar databases
- Low end understanding of how WordPress and other CMS systems work
- How Search Engine Optimizations work
- Debugging system issue (problem-solving and analytical thinking)
WHAT DO THEY COST?
There is a role for both these individuals in any medium to large organization. Smaller business, with limited resources, may have to choose which person to make their investment in and what tools to buy for their use.
Then there is the individual development cost. Two types of payment plans are usual:
FLAT RATE AGREEMENT
Clients love paying web designers / developers flat rates because they know exactly how much they’ll pay upfront. Web design freelancers hate flat rates because you can never be 100 percent sure how long a project will take, especially if the client asks for endless changes.
HOURLY RATES
Designers and Developers desire per hour compensation, simply because you don’t know how longer a project is going to take. The is especially true, if the client has not gone to the work of developing a wireframe and scope document. Without it, it is not fair to ask the designer/developer for a fixed bid (flat rate). Assumptions of look, useage and color has not been resolved, so what exactly are they designing and coding to?
YEAR 2021 SALARIES
Below are some of the salary ranges for entry level employees, from Payscale.com. Freelance fees are going to be higher, as they have to support not only their time, but equipment, network access, insurance, payroll and other fees associated with running a business.
2021 WEB DESIGNER SALARY
2021 WEB DEVELOPER SALARY
FREELANCE HOURLY RATES
Freelancer aka Contractors, are independent designers and developers. They work on their own schedule and own equipment. As such, the business does not have to pay or provide health insurance, sick days, or other benefits. But you are going to have to pay a higher rate for their time.
2021 WEB DESIGNER FREELANCE RANGE
Based on experience
Hourly: $75-$110 an hour
2021 WEB DEVELOPER FREELANCE RANGE
Based on experience
Hourly: $90-$175 an hour
Debbie Kurth
CEO & Technical Director of Multimedia Designs, LLC, System Designer, Developer, Producer with 15+ years in the internet design and development space and 25+ years in the Software Development for the entertainment industry. Winner of the prestigious International Themed Entertainment Association award for interactive design. She holds a degree in Computer Engineering & Mathematics from California State University, Long Beach.
MultiMedia Designs, LLC
Digital Design & Technology Company
Office: +1.818.272.0819
Email: multimediadesignsllc@gmail.com
HONEST ANSWERS – GREAT PRICES
