How Much Does a Good Website Cost?

OMG! That can't be answered quickly. It depends on what one is willing to pay for. Static content is one thing. But a real website has dynamic content, including a user-friendly CMS, online Q&A and possibly chat, PHP/MySQL (free) or some other technology for database management (storage and queries), and so many other things. The fonts, the graphic design, etc., must be spot on, it should be easy to navigate, it should be idiot-proofed for invalid user input, etc. Oh, and security must be of utmost importance if people are entering personal info into a GUI interface (or even a text interface) to avoid lawsuits, as well as encryption of data entry and transmission (although that is not bullet-proof, as evidenced by HeartBleed). Just a brief and incomplete outline of what some of the cost factors involve.

How much did the last one cost? And does it have the things Beach Runner listed?

The other issue is are they building it from the ground up or utilizing a base software such as Wordpress? Wordpress can be customized enough to fool even the most discerning nerd. It's free and has a very good update/patch history. In fact a local website company has used it for years for extremely overpriced websites, even violating copyright and terms of use, by altering it to look like their own custom proprietary system.

I also think that the actual traffic should be analyzed to determine an actual need. Low traffic doesn't mean you need a new website, it could simply mean that prior users have learned how to Google specifically what they are looking for.

Hopefully it'll actually be sent out for bid as opposed to the no bid write a check to a buddy system previously used.

WordPress was primarily designed as a blogging tool with online publishing capabilities for those without the expertise to write the code themselves. It does create some nice-looking sites. However it's definitely not a substitute for a real website -- it's too limited in its capabilities.

WordPress was primarily designed as a blogging tool with online publishing capabilities for those without the expertise to write the code themselves. It does create some nice-looking sites. However it's definitely not a substitute for a real website -- it's too limited in its capabilities.

I've heard Word Press has greatly expanded and offers much more for web design and creation for bigger web platforms these days. But, I'm no expert!

Wordpress can do almost anything with plugins and the majority of them are free. In fact some major corporations use Wordpress as the core of their website.

Local - I sure could use some advice. I need help with mine in GA

QUOTE="L0CAL;804841"]Wordpress can do almost anything with plugins and the majority of them are free. In fact some major corporations use Wordpress as the core of their website.[/QUOTE]

I'm out of the website game. I can direct you to someone though. Sent me a PM with your contact info and I'll pass it along.

WordPress gets "heavy" if you have a huge database with lots of queries. Other than that, I suppose WordPress would be okay. For the applications I write, my employer needs the power of Oracle.

You should contact Mark Adelman at Computer Works in Santa Rosa Beach. He builds websites and is very reasonable. Check out his website.

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/Bids.aspx?bidID=209

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Description: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]The Walton County Tourist Development (TDC), a division of Walton County is seeking proposals with a single firm that provides interactive build services. It is preferred that the firm specializes in tourism/destination marketing and proficiently meets the TDC market and scope needs.

RFP closes on June 16, 2014 no later than 3:00PM local time and will open immediately thereafter.

LATE SUBMITTALS RECEIVED AFTER THE FOREMENTIONED DEADLINE DATE, EITHER BY MAIL, OR OTHERWISE, WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AND RETURNED UNOPENED. THE TIME OF RECEIPT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE TIME RECEIVED IN THE PURCHASING AGENT'S OFFICE. IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FIRM FOR ASSURING THAT THE RFP IS RECEIVED IN THE PURCHASING OFFICE BY THE DESIGNATED DATE AND TIME. NO FAXED, ELECTRONIC OR ORAL RFP WILL BE ACCEPTED.

To be considered, Firm must submit an original and five (5) copies of RFP in a sealed envelope or package, clearly marked with the firm's name and address and the words "Web Platform Rebuild" addressed to: Office Of Central Purchasing, 176 Montgomery Circle, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435

Bids received after that date and time shall be be accepted.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Publication Date/Time: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]5/13/2014 12:00 AM [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Publication Information: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]OFFICE OF CENTRAL PURCHASING [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Closing Date/Time: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]6/16/2014 11:59 PM [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Submittal Information: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]OFFICE OF CENTRAL PURCHASING [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Bid Opening Information: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]06/6/2014 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Addendum Date/Time: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Addendum #1 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Pre-bid Meeting: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]NA [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Contact Person: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Glyndol Johnson, Purchasing Agent or Lesley Dunnivan, Buyer [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Download Available: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]5/13/2014 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Fee: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]NA [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Plan & Spec Available: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]5/13/14 Bid Documents [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Business Hours: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]Mon - Thur 6:00AM - 4:30PM [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Fax Number: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]850-892-8176 [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Miscellaneous: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]We are closed on Friday.
Our Fed Ex normally runs after 3:00PM daily. [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #decdb3, align: left"] Related Documents: [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: left"]RFP Web Platform Rebuild
Addendum 1 Web Platform Rebuild
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

...

QUESTION:
May we have access to your analytics data in preparing our response? If full access isn't possible, can you share some specific metrics with us if we were to prepare a list?
ANSWER:
We do not share full analytics. Over the last 30 days we have had 71,500 users and 294,000 page views.

QUESTION:
Can the TDC share its current analytics?
ANSWER:
We cannot share full analytics. Our monthly average visits are 60k -95k.

QUESTION:
Could you provide some insight into some of your website analytics such as your most popular pages, number of visitors per month, number of visitors guides requested per month, bounce rate, etc.?
ANSWER:
We can’t supply full analytics. On average we see between 60k -95k page visits per month. Unique visitors are around 45k - 65k per month.

71,500? I would have expected a number way higher than that. Especially this time of year.

Wouldn't this be public record?