Fees & Payment Options
Give Us Your Wish List & We'll Provide A Quote
Each site has unique requirements. We incorporate both open source and commercial applications to provide cost-effective solutions for even the tightest budgets.
- What determines the cost?
- Will there be additional costs?
- What platform will my site be built on?
- What is the payment schedule?
- What are my payment options?
- What if I have a tight budget?
- Will Thistle Site Design be able to maintain my site?
- Will Thistle Site Design be able to host my site?
- How do I get a quote?
Site Design Costs Determined By
- time required to research & test appropriate applications & programs for your site
- whether you want your site viewable on mobile devices
- graphic design requirements for mastheads/logos
- number of images used & whether they require custom photoshop work etc.
- installation of components such as shopping-carts or other specialized applications
- volume & format of content
- proof-reading / editing requirements

Possible Additional Costs
- Once a color and layout theme is decided by the client and work has begun, any changes will incur some added cost to the final bill.
- Costs incurred for additional work requested during the project which was not included in the original quote will be added to the final bill at completion of the project.
- If you do not host your site with our hosting partner and we run into any installation issues with the hosting company you choose, there will be an added cost for the extra time we have to spend accomplishing the launch of your site. When using our partner hosting service there is no added fee to get your site set up and launched.
- Once your site is launched and your final bill is settled there are NO monthly fees other than hosting costs. If we are asked to provide site maintenance such as removing, modifying or adding content, adding or removing images, installing applications and features not originally included in the design etc., we keep a work log and bill at a competitive hourly rate. Most sites do not require more than occasional maintenance work.

The Joomla Platform Your Site Is Built On
- sites are built on the Joomla (CMS) content-management platform, using our own custom template designs
- Joomla offers almost unlimited application add-ons, either as part of the original design requirements or added at a later date
- we use commercially available & open-source applications depending on requirements, compatibility with other programs running on a site & cost effectiveness
- site owners can be taught to manage basic tasks on their sites using a front-end administration interface
- if your site has unique & complex requirements we can also design & build it from the ground up

Payment Schedule
- billing in Canadian Funds + GST/HST for Canadian residents
- 1/3 of the project cost required when work begins (non-refundable)
- balance paid in 2 equal monthly installments
- you own the site when completed - no additional fees etc.
Payment Options
Tight Budget - Cash-Flow Issues? ... Ask About
- strategies for a phased project
- extended payment schedule
Site Maintenance Fees For Sites We Build
- we offer maintenance services only for sites we have designed
- hourly rates / billed monthly or quarterly as required
Hosting
- we offer reliable, competitively-priced, premium-service hosting OR you can choose another company but they must be capable of handling the CMS platform your site is built on
- please see Hosting Info

How Do I Get A Quote
- please see How to Get a Quote
16 Questions Asking 'Does Your Website Get TOP MARKS?'
Are site colors & images aesthetically pleasing?
If your website is too busy or jarring, you will lose visitors. Take a little time to coordinate colors and to implement high-quality images that add to your message ... read more
If your website is too busy or jarring, you will lose visitors. Take a little time to coordinate colors and to implement high-quality images that add to your message ... read more
Are there bulky sections of writing on the home page?
Long, bulky paragraphs are likely to get skipped. Try breaking up your copy into smaller sections or bulleted lists to get the point across quickly ... read more
Long, bulky paragraphs are likely to get skipped. Try breaking up your copy into smaller sections or bulleted lists to get the point across quickly ... read more
Are there links to social media?
Social media networking can be an effective marketing tool if used properly. If you participate in social media then you need to present those links on your website. Social media allows you to communicate with your prospects and allows them to communicate with each other. Include links to your blog, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts. Make it easy for everyone to find you on social media ... read more
Social media networking can be an effective marketing tool if used properly. If you participate in social media then you need to present those links on your website. Social media allows you to communicate with your prospects and allows them to communicate with each other. Include links to your blog, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts. Make it easy for everyone to find you on social media ... read more
Can you easily find the benefits of the product or service offered?
Visitors to your site want to learn as much as possible about the benefits of your product or service. Features are important too, but the most important thing a visitor can take away is a sense that this product or service will make a positive impact in their life ... read more
Visitors to your site want to learn as much as possible about the benefits of your product or service. Features are important too, but the most important thing a visitor can take away is a sense that this product or service will make a positive impact in their life ... read more
Can you find out more about the site owner or employees?
Visitors often want to know they are dealing with real people. Having an 'about us' page is a great way to show the world why you are the best one to handle the job. Include photos too—everyone likes to associate a face with a business so don't be 'camera shy' ... read more
Visitors often want to know they are dealing with real people. Having an 'about us' page is a great way to show the world why you are the best one to handle the job. Include photos too—everyone likes to associate a face with a business so don't be 'camera shy' ... read more
Do menu items clearly tell you where they will take you?
Good site design and user-freindly navigation are important considerations which often get
overlooked. Think about what information you would want to find if you visited this site and plan your menus accordingly. Menus can be separated into areas of focus and should be placed in more than one location if you have many contnet pages on your site - top for the main items, sides and bottom for additional information sections etc ... read more
Good site design and user-freindly navigation are important considerations which often get
overlooked. Think about what information you would want to find if you visited this site and plan your menus accordingly. Menus can be separated into areas of focus and should be placed in more than one location if you have many contnet pages on your site - top for the main items, sides and bottom for additional information sections etc ... read more
Do you feel personally connected?
Visitors who feel personally connected will be more likely to stick around and/or become a customer. Tell your story and tell them why you are the right choice. You can personally connect with your visitors by being honest, using a conversational writing style, and including real testimonials from other customers - real names associated with those testimonials .. read more
Visitors who feel personally connected will be more likely to stick around and/or become a customer. Tell your story and tell them why you are the right choice. You can personally connect with your visitors by being honest, using a conversational writing style, and including real testimonials from other customers - real names associated with those testimonials .. read more
Do you know right away what this website is about?
You have limited time to get your message across. If there are too many distractions, a site visitor may never know what you are offering ... read more
You have limited time to get your message across. If there are too many distractions, a site visitor may never know what you are offering ... read more
Is the content well-written & informative?
Your ability to relate to your customers is a big reason why they will eventually choose you. Poorly-written content is a major turn-off and will make site visitors run for the exit. If you are unable to provide the content yourself, hire a professional to supply it and be sure to keep an engaging, conversational tone throughout.
Your ability to relate to your customers is a big reason why they will eventually choose you. Poorly-written content is a major turn-off and will make site visitors run for the exit. If you are unable to provide the content yourself, hire a professional to supply it and be sure to keep an engaging, conversational tone throughout.
Is the font easy to read?
Make sure your font is easy to read and not distracting. Stick with simple, easy-to-read fonts which are standard fonts available on all browser platforms and in a color which contrasts with the background. It should be large enough to read comfortably without forcing visitors to up-size it ... read more
Make sure your font is easy to read and not distracting. Stick with simple, easy-to-read fonts which are standard fonts available on all browser platforms and in a color which contrasts with the background. It should be large enough to read comfortably without forcing visitors to up-size it ... read more
Is the important information 'above the fold'?
Most site visitors want to know the details without doing a lot of work. If they have to scroll down to find the main idea, they will likely leave earlier than you’d like. Make sure your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is clearly spelled out. This is a piece of information that says in one sentence or less why someone should do business with you. Make it clear and prominent on your site ... read more
Most site visitors want to know the details without doing a lot of work. If they have to scroll down to find the main idea, they will likely leave earlier than you’d like. Make sure your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is clearly spelled out. This is a piece of information that says in one sentence or less why someone should do business with you. Make it clear and prominent on your site ... read more
Is there a 'Sign Up for our Newsletter' option?
Your webform should offer an incentive to spark a visitor’s interest and convince them to sign up. Make sure this incentive is appeal to and be of benefit to your potential customers .. read more
Your webform should offer an incentive to spark a visitor’s interest and convince them to sign up. Make sure this incentive is appeal to and be of benefit to your potential customers .. read more
Is there a clear call to action?
If customers like what they see, it is important to move them along quickly. There should be a prominent, clear call to action on your website. Your call to action may be to buy now, start a free trial, learn more, or something else. Make sure that you are not sending mixed messages with too many calls to action. Choose the one or two that matter most and make them easy to find ... read more
If customers like what they see, it is important to move them along quickly. There should be a prominent, clear call to action on your website. Your call to action may be to buy now, start a free trial, learn more, or something else. Make sure that you are not sending mixed messages with too many calls to action. Choose the one or two that matter most and make them easy to find ... read more
Is there an easy way to contact the business?
If your website does its job, you will likely have interested prospects who want to learn more or who simply have a few questions. Make sure they have an easy way to find you. Potential customers also want to know that they will be able to reach you if needed in the future, whether for warranty service or support ... read more
If your website does its job, you will likely have interested prospects who want to learn more or who simply have a few questions. Make sure they have an easy way to find you. Potential customers also want to know that they will be able to reach you if needed in the future, whether for warranty service or support ... read more
Is there any multimedia?
Although many sites do not need multi-media, if appropriate it is a great way to add character and interest to your website. Videos, podcasts, tutorials, and other multimedia options allow you to present your message to visitors in a way that appeals to them. However, a little goes a long way and, unless you are an 'entertainment' site, too much will be distracting .. read more
Although many sites do not need multi-media, if appropriate it is a great way to add character and interest to your website. Videos, podcasts, tutorials, and other multimedia options allow you to present your message to visitors in a way that appeals to them. However, a little goes a long way and, unless you are an 'entertainment' site, too much will be distracting .. read more
Where do your eyes go first?
A visitor to your website typically has an attention span of only a few seconds. That means your website must 'hook' them quickly. Make sure the first thing they see/notice is something interesting enough to keep them interested in looking at more of the site ... read more
A visitor to your website typically has an attention span of only a few seconds. That means your website must 'hook' them quickly. Make sure the first thing they see/notice is something interesting enough to keep them interested in looking at more of the site ... read more
Fees