Obviously, since every entrepreneur's needs are different, it's hard to give a solid quote. Everything done at Ideas By Elliot is efficient but also hand-crafted. Creating a good looking, search-engine optimized website that can also create unique business efficiencies for you is not going to be free, but it will absolutely pay for itself.

Short Answer: From $1000 - $5,000 is a typical small business website cost.

While it is certainly possible for individuals to design their own websites, there are several reasons why it may be advantageous to seek professional help instead. Here are a few factors to consider:

1. Quality and Expertise: Professional web designers possess the skills, knowledge, and experience to create high-quality, visually appealing, and functional websites. They are well-versed in design principles, user experience optimization, and the latest industry trends. By relying on their expertise, you can ensure that your website not only looks great but also performs optimally, effectively engaging visitors and driving desired actions.

2. Time and Efficiency: Designing a website from scratch requires a significant investment of time and effort. Professional web designers, on the other hand, are trained to efficiently handle website projects. They have streamlined processes in place, enabling them to create websites in a timely manner. By entrusting the task to professionals, you can focus on other aspects of your business while ensuring the website is developed and launched efficiently.

3. Customization and Uniqueness: If you want a website that truly reflects your brand and stands out from competitors, professional designers can help you achieve that. They can create a custom design tailored specifically to your business objectives, target audience, and brand identity. While website builders and templates offer some level of customization, they often have limitations in terms of design flexibility and uniqueness.

4. User Experience and Conversion Optimization: A successful website not only looks good but also provides a seamless user experience and effectively converts visitors into customers or leads. Professional web designers have a deep understanding of user behavior, navigation patterns, and conversion optimization techniques. They can incorporate these elements into your website's design and structure, improving its overall effectiveness and maximizing its impact.

5. Technical Expertise and Functionality: Building a website involves more than just creating an attractive design. It requires knowledge of coding languages, content management systems, website security, search engine optimization (SEO), and other technical aspects. Professional designers have the necessary technical skills to ensure your website is properly coded, optimized for performance, and equipped with the necessary features and functionalities.

6. Support and Maintenance: Once your website is launched, ongoing support and maintenance are essential. Professional web designers can provide ongoing assistance, updates, and troubleshooting as needed. They can also offer guidance on website analytics, user feedback, and improvements to help your website evolve over time.

While designing your own website can be a rewarding learning experience, it is important to recognize the potential limitations and challenges that may arise. By partnering with a professional web design agency, you can benefit from their expertise, save time and effort, and achieve a polished, effective website that aligns with your business goals.

There is a lot to say about this. The 2023 explosion of "AI" Machine Learning services is reminiscent to the turn of the century web "tech" bubble. There is a tremendous amount of hype. Some of it is real.

These tools can be a great help, but we are decades away from meaningful replacements to human ingenuity.

A website should be so integrated into your business operations that it's very difficult for a trained and astute listening human to get it right.

AI is sophisticated, and I don't mean to diminish it, but it truly is a more advanced version of search and replace or spell check.

It's more like the advancement from handsaws to chainsaws: humans can cut through a lot more work with the new tools. It doesn't mean that once chainsaws were invented that the average human can or should build their own house.