Many people consider websites to be designed, and in many cases that is the truth. The main difference between having one designed and having one developed is the way in which the content is loaded. Design is more about look and feel. This can be accomplished using a variety of tools that generate html, but rarely lends itself to easily make changes and often looks very different on browsers other than the one it is designed for (i.e. Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox, etc.). Developing a web site involves not only design but also includes putting methods in place that allow expansion in the future and easily incorporating changes that are a part of any active business. The ability to provide domain name registration, hosting, e-mail, and maintenance in a manner that provides for installing changes quickly is all a part of the development process. It’s an approach that has greater long term advantages than if the developer only focused on design.

When considering the cost of website development keep in mind the end result and how the website will reflect your business. We’ve all seen the websites that look like they were done on the spur of the moment by someone who wished they were doing anything else BUT this (at that point in time). Is this going to be a professional extension of your business? Probably not. It is important to remember that when your business grows, so should your website. Move things around, introduce a new product line, promote chances for prospective clients to meet you at a tradeshow or seminar you’ll be attending as well as enhance staff information. All of these items fall under the part of developing a website considered to be ongoing maintenance.

Another difference between designing a website and developing one – recurring costs. Because ongoing maintenance is probably not the designer’s specialty, you are apt to run into additional costs each time a change is needed or an update is wanted. For companies who predict few changes throughout the year, this can be costly. At Mainely Technology, we believe that updates and changes are expected to happen with your website. Taking this into consideration, we offer a maintenance plan to companies who know they will have product that is continuously changing or monthly newsletters they want to provide on their website. It is our hope that this will create a solid relationship with the client and entice them to want to include new product or include a newsletter on their website. With the website being developed for ease of updating and adding/subtracting content, we can assure the client that he/she can view new material in a matter of days rather than a matter of weeks.