FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: How long does it take to build a website?
A: This varies. The design of any website can take 10-50 hours depending on complexity and coding language used (e.g., PHP, Flash, Silverlight, .Net, HTML/CSS,etc...). Developing the pages requires additional time. A simple brochureware site that consists solely of static HTML and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) generally requires 1-2 hours per page for development. So, a typical 5-10 page basic HTML website could take anywhere from 5-20 hours, depending on how much content is provided to the web designer, while a dynamic website (i.e., with a shopping cart or database connectivity) may take up to 50 hours. We request 30-90 days to complete most websites, as it also requires time to communicate ideas between the designer, the client, and the account manager to ensure objectives will be met in a timely fashion on or under budget.

Q: How much does a website cost?
A: Our hourly rates are as follows:
Basic Web Design: $60/hr
Advanced Web Design: $100/hr
Graphic Design: $60/hr
Photography: $60/hr

For SEO (Search Engine Optimzation) and other marketing/consulting services, we have set packages to choose from.

We cannot say the total cost of a website, as this varies. We do not believe in "cookie-cutter" solutions. Every project is unique. As such, we cannot provide a quote without first speaking to you to determine exactly what your goals are. We often find that our clients are not sure what they are trying to achieve, and this is where our expertise in consulting with our clients and offering affordable, efficient solutions comes in, and sets us apart from our competitors. As prior business owners, we understand the value of a dollar, and we promise to make every dollar go as far as possible for you. This is why we do not try to recreate the wheel. If there is an inexpensive, efficient solution out there that already exists, we'll tell you about it, even if it means we won't profit by doing so. We're in this business to help you achieve your internet marketing objectives. Sometimes that means turning down or straight out refusing business. This is part of the reason we have developed a reptuation as honest, dependable web designers in the DFW metroplex.

Having said that, we can tell you that our prices are competitive, and we will clearly explain our fees prior to initiating the contract.

Q: What are the clients responsible for?
A: We ask that our clients provide the verbiage to be included in any website design. Writing content is a task not typically handled by a web designer, but rather, by a marketing or business consulting firm. While we can provide these services, it is usually much more cost-efficient for the client to provide this. However, we can provide any stock imagery that may help describe the business, product or service.

Additionally, we ask that our clients provide a point of contact or liaison for us. This is very important as we will be asking questions throughout the design and development phases of the project. Prompt feedback is required so as not to hold up any stage of the project that causes us to not meet our deadlines.

Q: How is payment handled?
A: We request that our clients provide a retainer prior to beginning work on any project.Typically, payments are divided into 2-4 equal installments. The final payment is made upon BETA launch of website or application, which means the website is completed and ready for testing, but not necessarily 100% finished. The process of completing a website often requires a BETA phase to test for bugs or glitches. We will make these corrections during this phase, and we guarantee that the website or application will be bug free and cross-browser compatible for the life of the website, provided that no other company or designer touches our code. This is a safety measure for all parties involved and protects us from mistakes made by other web designers who are unfamiliar with our project.

We accept checks, money orders, credit cards or cash. For your convenience, you may use the "Buy Now" button at the bottom of our website to make payment on any invoice sent to you from Creative Statement. It is FREE, safe, secure and does not require registration.

Q: Why do we have to sign a contract?
A: Much like any company that offers a service, we have legalese that helps us describe the end product that will be delivered to you, and the terms of our agreement, terms of payment, and indemnification. We ask that all of our clients sign a Master Agreement that describes generally how we work, what you can expect of us, and what we expect of you. We keep this on file and it helps us do business on future projects without the need to generate lengthy contracts on every single project, but rather use a small addendum or ATP (Authorization To Proceed) agreement which supplements this Master Agreement on future projects. On projects that are less than 5 hours, an agreement can be made by email or fax.