Why such a big difference in cost?

[IXP1]

I need a Website and Logo designing so I've been sourcing quotes via Free Index etc..
I dont know if I'm missing something here but I cant understand is why there's such a big difference in cost ???

I've had Quotes to build my Website ranging between £1,500 to £10,000.

I've also had Quotes for my for my logo £40 - £1,000

I know some will be better than others and they're prices maybe a little higher but why such a difference?

 

[ITsoldUK]

I need a Website and Logo designing so I've been sourcing quotes via Free Index etc..
I dont know if I'm missing something here but I cant understand is why there's such a big difference in cost ???

I've had Quotes to build my Website ranging between £1,500 to £10,000.

I've also had Quotes for my for my logo £40 - £1,000

I know some will be better than others and they're prices maybe a little higher but why such a difference?

experience, skill level, overheads, chancers.....to name but a few.

 

[jamie1183]

Different levels of service, experience and platforms used need to be taken in account.

 

[S-Marketing]

It is often perceived that the most expensive quotes will be from the most skilled designers. In my experience this is rarely the case. It is much more frequently the case that the unskilled designer has little idea how long something will take, and messes up the pricing.

 

[iArtist]

I have written a blog post which goes a short way to answering this question here.

Let's just say for the higher priced logo designers, they're damn good sales men! And by 'higher priced' I mean in the million pound bracket...not the hundreds or even thousands!

 

[freemarketsite]

Hi,

I think there really are chancers out there but don't settle for a shoddy work cos its cheap. My approach to this is check out their previous works. Sample sites developed by your short-listed developers and test them yourself. I'm sure you find ones that meet your needs which might not be crazy expensive. There could be posh ones with cumbersome functionalities which you will never need, and expensive too.

Hope it helps.

 

[Jackie606]

Hi
I have experienced the same as the original post (so thats reassuring its not just me!) 550+VAT and then within 24 hours another quote 10,000 +VAT and he was 2nd or 3rd on a google search......... it is really difficult to decide what is too cheap and risky - even though I have been given some great sample sites in my industry... and what is to the other extreme and ludicrous... but I am afraid I will get what I pay for...... given that loads of people on this forum would have been through this I am a firm believer in referral... can anyone recommend a company who can take it from Design to hosting for a property company with a techno phobe MD?
All suggestions appreciated in advance
Jackie
PS I would rather hear from users than website designers please!

 

[captaincloser]

Market forces, reputation, flim-flam and gullibility. Also the fact that, like engagement rings, most of us do not buy many !

I would refer you to modern artists such as Damian Hirst and Tracey Emin. Hirst producing through a factory on an industrial scale and still attractng top dollar.

Another comparison would be getting your car fixed. You can pay wildly differing prces..

I would suggest searching the web for something you like...finding the 'designer' checking their own website and going for references from other clients before you even think of calling them.

Again, like engagement rings, you can pay a tenner and you can pay ten million.Take your pick. The cost will rarely decide if you will be happy ever after though.

I have no vested interest in web page or logo design.

 

[Jackie606]

Going at it in reverse to what I have being doing.... starting with what I like and back tracking is REALLY good advise
Thanks!!

 

[dedwardp]

I think captaincloser gives the best advice; look at various portfolios to find who produces the sort of styles you're looking for, look at any testimonials from their clients and pick up a few different quotes from the ones who fit your criteria.

There will be some clients that just don't suit certain businesses and vice versa, so it's important for the client to decide who will produce what sort of style they like, or else you'll be fighting a losing battle from the start.

 

[liongroup]

I think with professional designers, you looking at anything from circa 1000 GPB and upwards. With this, you'll get a professionally designed identity, clear communication and involvement in the development process and peace of mind that your identity as relatively unique. (Off-course it would be almost impossible to verify much of this - logos are often imitated)

I much prefer working with designers over crowd-sourcing but it depends primarily on your budget I guess.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I think captaincloser gives the best advice; look at various portfolios to find who produces the sort of styles you're looking for, look at any testimonials from their clients and pick up a few different quotes from the ones who fit your criteria.

Agreed. When we wanted our website done we had quotes from £400 to £3000 - and ours is not a flashy, animated site. However, when checking the portfolios neither the £400 company nor the £3000 company I would have touched with a bargepole.

 

[PIngels]

If you have an e-commerce or even an information site where quality branding, layout, usability and content will play a critical role in your conversion rate then experienced designers is worth the high cost as you will quickly recoup your investment. The experienced designer has learned from doing hundreds of projects and you benefit from that experience.

Think of it this way: if you commissioned an online sales presentation and the one company does a cheap but ineffective presentation and the other one does an expensive, animated but high impact presentation that significantly increases your sales ... who would you go for?

It is important to get a realistic quote and the most expensive company would probably be willing to sit down with you and explain the cost and find ways to bring the costs down a bit. The cheaper ones should never be an option because it is highly unlikely that they have the hard earned experience.

 

[iArtist]

If you have an e-commerce or even an information site where quality branding, layout, usability and content will play a critical role in your conversion rate then experienced designers is worth the high cost as you will quickly recoup your investment. The experienced designer has learned from doing hundreds of projects and you benefit from that experience.

Think of it this way: if you commissioned an online sales presentation and the one company does a cheap but ineffective presentation and the other one does an expensive, animated but high impact presentation that significantly increases your sales ... who would you go for?

It is important to get a realistic quote and the most expensive company would probably be willing to sit down with you and explain the cost and find ways to bring the costs down a bit. The cheaper ones should never be an option because it is highly unlikely that they have the hard earned experience.

If you think a 'logo' can increase 'sales' re an ecommerce site you're mistaken - greatly so.

 

[altwebdesign]

That’s a wide range of prices.

Ask yourself 'what am I getting for the price?'

Let’s put it into perspective

Proposal A: Logo design £15 - You get a logo, probably from a pre-made template, will be nothing unique.

Proposal B: Logo design £75 - You get a logo, created from scratch, will be very unique and offer a revision on the design.

Proposal C: Logo Design £150 - You get your logo, you have an initial consultation with the person doing the design who takes the time to listen to you and actually understand what you require. You get 4-5 initial variations to choose from and build up on, you get 5 or so revisions on the design, you get all master design files and fonts provided to you. You get after care support, a lasting relationship with a logo designer who will offer future discounts and a logo you are incredibly pleased with.

Which one looks the best value now?

Just a case of sifting through the time wasters, finding someone who is actually interested in you and has your best interests in mind.

Paying a premium doesn't seem as harsh that way!

Craig

 

[the Chocolate]

I need a Website and Logo designing so I've been sourcing quotes via Free Index etc..
I dont know if I'm missing something here but I cant understand is why there's such a big difference in cost ???

I've had Quotes to build my Website ranging between £1,500 to £10,000.

I've also had Quotes for my for my logo £40 - £1,000

I know some will be better than others and they're prices maybe a little higher but why such a difference?

Check out our website and I will tell you how much and who did it.

 

[S-Marketing]

Check out our website and I will tell you how much and who did it.

I would say you did it yourself for the price of a domain and some hosting.

 

[woodss]

There's a difference between someone producing a logo, and someone producing a brand.

A brand can't be done over a slice of cake and a coffee - you're talking logos, colour schemes, style guides, typographic considerations, different brand locations (products, billboards etc), "tone" of the brand (i.e. the way it 'sounds' when someone reads about it, or how it comes across to the target audience), sub-products / brands, radio advertising, targeted placements ...

That's where people start charging the mega bucks and with damn good reason to be honest!

You wait - wait until that god awful London 2012 logo starts doing the rounds - it'll be on every TV screen, every billboard, every conceivable place you can imagine and it'll work, it'll stand out and it'll be effective in ways noone except the design team ever imagined. And us fellow designers will think, actually, Damn Good Job.

 

[bdw]

it is really difficult to decide what is too cheap and risky

If I were you I would look at testimonials (verified) first. I would then look tt testimonials and finally I would look at some more testimonials. I would then base my choice on that.

Seriously, there is no better way to make your decision and do not be afraid to contact previous clients at random from a portfolio.

.

 

[bdw]

You wait - wait until that god awful London 2012 logo starts doing the rounds - it'll be on every TV screen, every billboard, every conceivable place you can imagine and it'll work, it'll stand out and it'll be effective in ways noone except the design team ever imagined. And us fellow designers will think, actually, Damn Good Job.

I have to disagree with that one. It looks like a school competition prize winner in an educationally challenged inner city school. And what is effective when related to the Olympics? We all know it is happening. There is no selling to be done through a logo.

Actually I decided to Google this to see what it cost - £400K and that was five years ago! and only then did I realise that it was meant to say 2012. Am I slow or what?

.

 

Actually I decided to Google this to see what it cost - £400K and that was five years ago! and only then did I realise that it was meant to say 2012. Am I slow or what?

.

I believe that was sunctioned by Zeb Coe.

Now what was it he was famous for?:|

A yes running around in circles.

Not a lot changes.

Earl

 

[the Chocolate]

I would say you did it yourself for the price of a domain and some hosting.

What is your problem? Have you got the British disease?

 

[woodss]

I have to disagree with that one. It looks like a school competition prize winner in an educationally challenged inner city school. And what is effective when related to the Olympics? We all know it is happening. There is no selling to be done through a logo.

Actually I decided to Google this to see what it cost - £400K and that was five years ago! and only then did I realise that it was meant to say 2012. Am I slow or what?

.

yea but it isn't just the logo they did for 400k is it - it's the entire brand. And let's not forget, they didn't just sketch this on a fag packet and shove it under their noses did they. This will be the result of many hours, many concepts and many, many meetings.

£400k is bugger all if it cost £390k in overheads to actually come up with it... 266 days of consultancy at £1,500/day = £400,000 is not exactly all that much for a large London design house...

 

[woodss]

 

266 days of consultancy at £1,500/day = £400,000 is not exactly all that much for a large London design house...

You can not be serious.

266 days to come up with a bent date.

Why are artists and designers so full of BS.?

Earl

 

[S-Marketing]

What is your problem? Have you got the British disease?

I'm not sure what you mean by problem. You said you would tell us who did your site and how much it cost, so I looked at it, and my guess is that you did it yourself, which is what i thought was going to be the 'surprise' when you gave the info.

 

[PIngels]

If you think a 'logo' can increase 'sales' re an ecommerce site you're mistaken - greatly so.

Why?

I've worked on several projects where there was a not massive but noticeable increase in sales conversion after we've re-designed the logo and did split testing on the site. The logo is just a component but if designed well it does seem to make a difference.

 

[iArtist]

Why?

I've worked on several projects where there was a not massive but noticeable increase in sales conversion after we've re-designed the logo and did split testing on the site. The logo is just a component but if designed well it does seem to make a difference.

A site traffic won't increase as a result of a new logo = fact

If the logo is highly visual and illustrative then it can persuade the reader to linger longer on the site but it won't influence conversions...not a jot.

Internet users main objective when looking for something specific is to find it. What, how, where and when...are the answers they seek...

 

[MancunianCreative]

Check out our website and I will tell you how much and who did it.

Who ever did the logo may want to not try ripping off Hotel Chocolat in future.......

 

[bdw]

Who ever did the logo may want to not try ripping off Hotel Chocolat in future.......

Don't see any rip off there at all. It's a totally different font and IMO nicer than Hotel Chocolat.

.

 

[MancunianCreative]

You cannot see the similarities between these?

modern clean title font with a brushstroke/handwritten style main body?

I think you need your eyes testing.

 

[iArtist]

You cannot see the similarities between these?

modern clean title font with a brushstroke/handwritten style main body?

I think you need your eyes testing.

It is different and it is better...the latter one.


The fact both have a similar style font is due to the fact that when one is designing logos one searches often for applicable fonts. So if you searched for a chocolate style font you'd have a variety to select from, thus they will be different and yet have a similar...'chocolate' feel.

The most striking thing about the second logo is its 'THE'. Very effective and no similarity at all with hotel chocolate.

They are definately not the same and no 'rip-off'.

 

[iArtist]

It is different and it is better...the latter one.


The fact both have a similar style font is due to the fact that when one is designing logos one searches often for applicable fonts. So if you searched for a chocolate style font you'd have a variety to select from, thus they will be different and yet have a similar...'chocolate' feel.

The most striking thing about the second logo is its 'THE'. Very effective and no similarity at all with hotel chocolate.

They are definately not the same and no 'rip-off'.

Here's a nice free chocolate font for example
http://www.reencoded.com/2009/08/26/free-font-wednesday-chocolate-box/

 

[bdw]

I think you need your eyes testing.

My eyes are actually not bad for my age. Some of us seem to agree agree that it's you who has a perception problem. There are thousands of text based logos out there that use similar styles.

.

 

[MancunianCreative]

My eyes are actually not bad for my age. Some of us seem to agree agree that it's you who has a perception problem. There are thousands of text based logos out there that use similar styles.

.

Yes there are, but as soon as I saw it I thought wow that's really close to the Hotel Chocolat one. Which is important when they are in the same industry.

How are you meant to stand out in your industry when your identity is so close to a competitor?

 

[iArtist]

Yes there are, but as soon as I saw it I thought wow that's really close to the Hotel Chocolat one. Which is important when they are in the same industry.

How are you meant to stand out in your industry when your identity is so close to a competitor?

If you only want typography, there is a limit to how different one can be.

What is outstanding about your three letter logo for example? I presume you chose it as it represents your site and service and is clear and simple. It's quite likely to mirror that of many similar sites don't you agree?

 

[bdw]

How are you meant to stand out in your industry when your identity is so close to a competitor?

I suppose it is to a large extent subjective but looking at the websites I would say that the-chocolate's identity is more attractive than Chocolat's. I think it is they who have the problem.

.

 

[MancunianCreative]

If you only want typography, there is a limit to how different one can be.

What is outstanding about your three letter logo for example? I presume you chose it as it represents your site and service and is clear and simple. It's quite likely to mirror that of many similar sites don't you agree?

I'm in an industry where there are probably millions of competitors. My logo represents the feel of the brand. But there also isn't one huge competitor in my industry that my logo mimics.

You completely miss my point, it's undeniably close to Hotel Chocolat. Who are a huge brand in the chocolate world.

 

[bdw]

You completely miss my point, it's undeniably close to Hotel Chocolat. Who are a huge brand in the chocolate world.

I didn't miss your point. I just do not agree.

.

 

[iArtist]

You completely miss my point, it's undeniably close to Hotel Chocolat. Who are a huge brand in the chocolate world.

I've never heard of them