How long does it take you...

[Gerry]

These are a series of questions I would like to ask DNF members who Develop sites, program, write content, or create artwork.

Assuming you have a contract (verbal or written):

• As a developer, how long does it take you to create a site and get it active?
• As a programmer, how long does it take you to code a site and get it active?
• As a developer or programmer, once you have the basic structure of your site do you just simply copy the structure and create other similar sites?
• As a writer, how long does it take you to write original content?
• As a writer, do you actually do some research on the subject you are going to write about or do you just take the first source you come to and essentially rewrite that?
• As a graphic artist or designer, how long does it take you to come up with a suitable mock-up to present for consideration?
• As a graphic artist/designer, how many mock-ups do you normally submit for consideration to your client?

To any of the above specialties, when pricing for your work;

• How long do you estimate - in total - do you spend (or would like to spend) on the project?
• At what point in your tasks do you think enough is enough as in too many revisions, rewrites, changes etc?
• In your business practices, in the past have you related to your client that your total is for x number of mock-ups or revisions?

These are many questions that have been passed on to me or I would have others answer in general.

I come from an advertising background that was very structured and task oriented and specified all aspects of the project - from concept to mock-up to approval of and presentation of the final product.

Typically, any deviation from the original plan specifications was an additional charge.

 

[Melly]

Realistically some of these questions can't be answered with specific answers.Each project is different and may require more work and time than the first. Unless you do only the same type of site over and over will it be realistically a legit answer. I can do simple content blogs in 24 hours but if I need to create a custom design, write the content etc it can take 5 days or longer.

I do create some of the same sites for the same buyers because they request it but usually I try to not copy any previous work to use for new buyers. Its like stealing someone else's idea at least it is to me. However, if the buyer shows me references of a site they like I will try to make it similar but with a different look.

Writing content is normally fairly quick for me. I can usually do a 500 word article within an hour or less but lately it seems to take me a lot longer due to not being able to concentrate or have other things to tend to (mom has been sick quite a bit). If its a subject I don't know about I try to read at least 2 - 3 references before using them to write my content from.

I also do graphic design so normally I ask the buyer if they have anything in mind such as specific images, fonts, colors etc before starting. This helps to give me ideas on what to try out. It usually takes me about 4 hours or so to have a few graphics for them to look at. I try to give at least 2 concepts for them to choose from. Also I may do 1-2 different designs and then present each one with a different font or colors which gives even more choices.

I charge by job usually not a set rate. I given unlimited revisions until the client is happy unless they are being completely unreasonable then I will just refund.

I do not resell old projects.

 

[stock_post]

I looked at the questions and thought Doc's account got hacked some one is pretending to be him.

The DOC we know, know better..

 

[Gerry]

I looked at the questions and thought Doc's account got hacked some one is pretending to be him.

The DOC we know, know better..

Trust me, its me.

I have a reason for asking these questions.

I would like to know who is capable of doing what, how timely they are, what their work ethics are, what their turnaround time is, how easy the person is to work with, and just overall performance.

This is for my benefit and the benefit of others. I have referred numerous potential clients or people contacting me who want something done. When I do not have the time or the know how, I want to know where to send them.

There are many I trust to be ethical and professional but that number pales in comparison that I do not trust.

As for other forums, numerous years ago I posted a very complex and detailed project specifying every single detail, spec, how it was to be done. I had more than a dozen offers in less than a minute of posting.

You people know me, how detailed I am, how long winded I can be, and how I leave no stone unturned. I try to anticipate all the questions before they are asked in order to be precise on every point.

Those 12 responses did not even read a damn word post. They simply were alerted to a new job posted and immediately responded with a price.

Those are precisely the types of people I do not want to touch anything of mine nor do I want to make any referrals to these people. They were simply trolling and bottom feeding for new work alerts.

So, now you know what and why I am asking these questions.

I know there is a tremendous amount of lee way and vagueness that come with the responses. However, I don't want to see canned responses.

 

[stock_post]

without defining the project, if some one give out numbers they are just puling from air.

Each page is different and each site is different.

i had sites done in few hours
Some I started never finished..
(That is reality)

 

[Tia Wood]

Doc, it's so hard to answer this specifically because every provider has a different skill set, charges differently and has different levels of experience.

For instance, I can create content blogs w/ content faster than Melly can. However, I take longer than her (longer than most because I'm painfully thorough) to write content which is why I don't provide content services.

Mock ups I always give free though most of the time people don't request one. Logo, basic graphic and banner revisions are unlimited but I find most people don't take advantage of that and revise about 2-3 times, tops. Usually, they just tire of the back and forth but it's a comfort to know that things can be tweaked until satisfaction.

For full projects, the only additional charges are when the client requests something that goes out of the original scope.

 

[Gerry]

For full projects, the only additional charges are when the client requests something that goes out of the original scope.

Bingo, and most clients have no understanding of this. Typically, they think they have hired you to do whatever they say to do and when with no time constraints. Honestly, I have had clients in the past that typically think months after the project is finalized and it is in production that I am still obligated to make changes to their project with no additional fee.

And you are correct on the content side of things. For specific products, processes, or promotion this can take hours of research just in your reading the material available. Then you still have to write the content.

The issue here is print content is essentially finite when it has been published. However, internet content is infinite in its life and can always be updated, changed, added to, etc.

 

[DataSN.com]

It really depends on what you are creating and how much you want to be devoted to the project. Some projects are quickly-come-quickly-go yet some are the ones that you would really like to grow - and you will spend so much more time in developing and refining it.

In general, I have my own frameworks and libraries so I can create a fairly sophisticated website in just a few hours. The design part is the challenge for me, which would take up most of my time in a project.