Website Designer Outlet Business Options Comparison Chart

There are numerous avenues to take when having your web site designed. This chart is a quick reference guide to help you make the best possible decision for your business. No matter which direction your business decides to go, be sure to review samples, testimonials, and client list.

Design Firms
Freelance
Web Design Artists
Belize Graphics
Design Experience: This is the how much knowledge an artist has in real world design techniques beyond college. Usually the designers that actually work on your site have 5 or less years experience BUYER BEWARE: Experience varies. This category can range from little experience to a veteran of 6 or more years. There is usually some stealth activity by technically experienced web developers to conceal design experience and designers to hide technical experience. Anyone who works on your project has at least 10 years design/technical experience and personally overseen by Ken Carroll, Co-Founder.
CMS System: This simply means to include a way for you to make minor changes to your site. Change text, add photos, etc. You want this so you can make minor changes on your site and not have to pay a designer to do it. Can include a full CMS package at an additional cost. Varies depending on experience of designer and internal business structure. Usually added at an additional cost. NEW 2008. Belize Graphics includes CMS integration with every package that includes hosting.
Print Design Services/Printing Services: This is important. If you have a "one stop" solution, then you have one person to call for anything. Businesses often make the mistake of hiring different firms for different projects, which result in unneeded extra communication and expense recreating design elements. Usually a design firm includes full service design for both print and the internet. However, be careful that your material doesn't have copyright restrictions. BUYER BEWARE: Sometimes firms put limits on how much you can use the material you paid to have designed. This includes logos, print design and the web site constructed for your business Varies depending on experience. Some freelancers offer print design but whether they truly understand the technical differences is hard to tell from designer to designer. This can lead to expensive reprints and "he said-she side" arguements between the printer and designer.
BUYER BEWARE: Printing services are not usually included. Copyright restrictions may apply as well.		 Belize offers a full service center. We offer at least 10 years experience with all designs. There are NO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ON ANYTHING WE DO. ONCE YOU PAY FOR IT YOU OWN IT.
Free initial onsite consultation? Varies Varies YES, for any client within 100 miles of Asheville, NC.
Free initial phone consultation? Varies Varies YES, for any client outside of 100 miles of Asheville, NC
Pricing: Usually a lot higher than a freelance artist, due to overhead of facility, employees, Executives, etc. Varies. I have personally seen freelancers charge accessively. Our demographic research points that we are on average 21% more cost effective than tested competitors. We manage our overhead carefully and take full advantage of an e-business situation to increase quality of life for employees, which in turn, offers discounts to the client.
Site Training: Teaching clients how to use their new site? Varies. Varies. YES, within 100 miles of Asheville, onsite, otherwise phone consultation.
Custom Script Writing: Ability to write scripts for about any purpose. Varies on scope of project. Varies on scope of project. Varies on scope of project. We have accommodated all needs to date by clients but every site is different.
Hosting Services and Email Setup: Varies. Varies. YES. Only for clients Belize Graphics builds sites for.
Considers Target Market and Demographic in design approach Varies. Varies. YES. Belize Graphics offers a free initial consultation to assure your new design will appeal to your target market.
E-commerce systems, Blogs, Calendars and other standard web tools Yes. Varies. Yes.
SEO Services - Helping your site site get ranked at Google, Yahoo, etc. Yes. Varies. Yes.
Deposit Varies. Varies. 40% deposit. Balance due upon completion.
Turnaround Time Usually 4-8 weeks (sometimes longer on large sites) Varies. Depends on how much work artist has scheduled. Usually 2-8 weeks (sometimes longer on large sites). Usually 2-8 weeks (sometimes longer on large sites).
Bundle Discounts: Discount rate if multiple items are purchased? I.E. logo design, brochure, and a web site. Varies, but usually. Varies. Yes. Belize Graphics can bundle multiple projects and can offer huge savings.
Hidden Prices: Such as charging for additional drafts of site, etc. Varies. Varies. Everything is covered in the estimate including number of drafts, etc.
Retainer Plans: This is hiring one entity on a monthly basis to handle your marketing/design/training needs. Yes. Varies. Yes, but only a handful of positions are available. Please contact us for availability. This is not a recommended package unless you have a lot of graphics work that needs to be done.
Marketing Background: True understanding on how to adapt and market your type of business. Yes. Usually at a premium cost. Varies, but not usually. Belize Graphics has over 15 years experience in marketing. Each job is personally assessed by a marketing expert to assure marketability.