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talks!
How Much Should a Website Cost? December 17, 2009Audio is only available by calling this number:Conference Call: 866-740-1260; Access Code: 6339392
Sponsored by
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
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How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
You are being recorded…
• This seminar will be available on the TechSoup website along with past webinar presentations:– www.techsoup.org/go/webinars
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talks!
How Much Should a Website Cost?
Presenter: Allen Gunn, Executive DirectorAspiration
Sponsored by
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Today’s Speakers
Kami GriffithsTechSoup
Assisting with chat questions: Becky Wiegand, TechSoup & Suzi Grishpul, Radical Designs
All presentation content is Creative Commons licensed :)
Allen Gunn (Gunner)
Aspiration
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Agenda
• What are you trying to accomplish?• Who do you include in the process?• Where to start and what to do?• How to engage implementors?• What are the relevant technologies?• What should you expect to pay?• What is the staff time commitment?
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
About Aspiration
• Mission: Better software for nonprofits– We work with all stakeholders in the
nonprofit software ecosystem
• In our work, we:– Provide strategic consulting– Coach orgs on sustainable processes– Train and mentor in effective use of tools– Run user-driven collaborative tech events
• www.aspirationtech.org
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What are You Trying to Get Done?• Creating and redesigning web sites
are different tasks; do you want to:– Build a site from scratch?– Layer new look onto existing content?– Completely overhaul existing site?
• Costing will depend on the task– Graphic design is a large determinant– Overhauls can be more expensive than
whole new sites
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Who Do You Include in the Process?• Web projects are organizational
development opportunities in disguise– Follow transparent process for whole org– Have an internal communication strategy
• Include all stakeholders from the start– Don't “leave it to the techies” - ever– Interview each stakeholder to understand
how the site should support their work– Think in terms of “publishing workflows”
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What to Discuss?
• Answer fundamental questions first– How do we describe our organization?– How do we explain our work?– Who is empowered to speak on behalf of
the organization?– What is the process for approving
externally published content?
• Addressing these before starting a web project drives down costs
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What to Discuss?
• Answer external questions next– Who are primary and secondary
audiences for the intended site?– What value/benefit will you provide each
audience to draw them to the site?– What are your goals for what they do on
the site and take away from the site?– What content needs to exist to support
answers to all the above?
• Engage external audience members!
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Where to Start?
• Idealized web site pre-process– Answer internal and external questions
• Know your overall goals for the site
– Sketch out “information architecture”• Marshall content to support that vision
– Draft “user stories”• Describe how audiences and staff will use site
– Sketch out “wireframes”• Approximate how pages might look
– At some point above you need help
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What to Do Next
• When you reach the extent of your organizational capacity, write an RFP– Provide essential information :
• Background on organization and work• Explicit definition of project goal(s)• Distillation of “what we know so far”• Explicit enumeration of desired deliverables
and needed services
– Keep it short and clean
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Where Should the RFP Go?
• Seek review by peers with experience• Ask allies for suggested vendors
– Ask the same on relevant mailing lists and social networks
• Select 2-4 vendors to engage– Ask for short clean responses– Good vendors respond first with questions– Look for experience with “orgs like you”
• Pick a relationship, not a platform
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What Does the Process Look Like?• Project milestones
– System architecture• Not needed for “typical” nonprofit sites
– Creative design• Largest cost variant at low end
– Site design– Implementation and deployment– Content placement and/or migration– Training and support
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
How to Manage the Relationship?• Follow a well-defined change process
– “Verbal” is not such a one– Get time, cost estimates on new features– Get immediate notification on overruns
• Do Ask, Do Tell– Talk it before walking it
• Request granular billing and invoicing– Know what you're getting charged for as
it is happening, not at the end
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What are Appropriate Technologies?• Nonprofits should “ALWAYS” use an
open source CMS– WordPress, Drupal, Joomla!, Plone are
state-of-the-art publishing tools– Correctly used, they maximize flexibility
• Plan for breakup or divorce– Minimize custom code creation– Avoid technologies with lock-in contracts– Know your migration options in advance
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What Should You Expect to Pay?• What kind of site are we talkin'
about?– Let's say:
• 25-50 pages of content• Email sign-up feature• Online donation support• Minimal additional interactivity• Maintainable by staff using web browsers• Site traffic statistics produced
– “Brochure-ware with a growth path”
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What Should You Expect to Pay?• Costs vary widely, BUT
– Rudimentary (non-ugly) Wordpress sites can be had for $500-1000
– Excellent state-of-the-art sites can be had for $2K - $10K
– Above $10K, make sure you know why– Above $20K, raise red flags– Graphic design is biggest cost variant
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What Should You Expect to Pay?• Cost escalators
– Integration, integration, integration• 3rd party and custom applications
– Legacy databases• Older sites and systems
– Additional features• CRM (connect to DIA, Salesforce, CiviCRM)• Forums, chat, events calendar, Google, ...
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What Should You Expect to Pay?• Consultant hourly rates vary widely but
– Plenty of great shops in $75-$120/hr range• Good shops have multi-tiered rates
– Above $150, usually paying for reputation• Strategy services are an exception
– Check references, check references, ...
• Costing models– Graphic design can often be flat-rated– Approach flat-rated sites with caution
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What Are the Ongoing Costs?
• Fixed hosting costs– Monthly hosting for most orgs is
$10-20/mo– For high-volume sites, $100-$200/mo– Domain name no more than $10/year– Hosted tools (CRM, newsletters, action, ...)
• Variable maintenance– Budget to upgrade CMS in timely fashion– Anticipate need to add features– New graphic assets can be expensive
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
What is the Staff Time Commitment?• What is your communication strategy?
– Regular site updates can be done in just a few hours per week• Frequency, complexity of updates correlates
to required staff time• Content development is larger cost
– Interactive community features up costs• Responding to comments • Managing discussion boards• Allowing other user participation
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Resources
• Aspiration provides coaching on all nonprofit technology processes– Web site planning– RFP design– Proposal review
• Join us for “Managing Nonprofit Technology Projects – DC”– Two days of collaborative learning– February 8-9, 2010
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Resources
• Implementors we (heart)– Radical Designs (radicaldesigns.org)
• Best-of-breed campaign, event, social media• SF Bay Area
– FloatLeft (floatleft.org)• Consummate Drupal professionals • Washington, DC
– PICNet (picnet.net)• Best Joomla! sites, Nonprofit Soapbox• SF and DC
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Resources
• Implementors we (heart)– Happy Snowman
(happysnowmantech.com)• Excellent Drupal shop• SF Bay Area
– OpenFlows (www.openflows.org)• Drupal and CiviCRM• NYC
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Resources
• Design shops we (heart)– Design Action (designaction.org)
• Excellent activist art and design collective• Values-driven and passionate• Oakland-based
– Quilted (quilted.coop)• Innovative and creative design cooperative• Values-driven and passionate• Bi-coastal
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Summary
• You CAN control your web destiny, and web site costs
• Know what you want before building• Process, process, process: have a plan• Less is more: when in doubt, leave it out• Avoid moving targets• Use existing code, avoid writing new• Talk to folks about what you're doing
talks!
Questions?
Submit your questions using the chat box.
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Continue the Discussion…
• Additional questions can be answered by posting in the Web Building Forum:– tinyurl.com/ycsb7nx
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Get the Most Out of TechSoup
• At TechSoup, you’ll find a range of technology services to help your nonprofit:
– Read helpful articles in our Learning Center– Request donated software, hardware, and
online services– Join our community forums to learn from
your colleagues– Browse upcoming events and conferences
How Much Should a Website Cost? Conference Call: 866-740-1260 Access Code: 6339392
Thank you to our Webinar Sponsor!
ReadyTalk offers dedicated product demos for TechSoup organizations 4 times per week.
For more information: pages.readytalk.com/techsoup.html
talks!
Thank you! Please complete the post event survey!
Kami Griffiths, [email protected], 415-633-9392