We "reverse engineer" WordPress and similar sites into conventional websites, although Why? clients would ask us to is a mystery to other people that think that such sites are "the only way to go." (Here is one set of reasons why such sites might not be such a good idea).
Regardless, HirMon "reverse engineers" such sites into conventional ones and -
- Preserve the CMS aspect of online maintainability.
- Preserve the MySQL database storage (with conversion to a new format)
- Retain images as well as text, audio/video clips, etc.
- Create a design based on the original or an all-new design for the website.
- Cleanup navigation links
- Improve search engine optimization (a biggie for WP-like sites)
When done, the website will be a conventional website, set up in a modular format to allow for easier future expansion and (to the extent required) have materials reorganized to help visitors find what they are looking for.
The cost is relatively straightforward but a little convoluted, owing to how some web hosting services are trying to make a buck.
If the web host where the current site is located is designated as supporting "blog-sites" only - the client is responsible for "upgrading" to a conventional web hosting account.
Alternately, HirMon can provide full service web hosting for $215 / year (with options that astound most folks).
The conversion itself
- Base conversion charge is $125.00
- Page conversion charge is $5 per page (10 page minimum). All pages on the existing website being rendered "as-is." For really large sites, the cost may be lower and if so, it will be quoted as part of the project.
Editorial restructuring - meaning breaking down long pages of postings into individual pages is $2 per posting converted into a web page.
No other editorial work (correction of typos, fixing grammer etc.) is included (can be included for an additional charge).
- Site design - minimum $100 (up to $350) low end represents a fascimile of the original site, the high-end a custom graphic makeover with two page views (Home page view and "all other pages" view).
- Assembly - $200, including master navigation, organization of materials, elementary SEO optimization and installation.
Based on our in-house experience, we estimate that it might cost between $400 and $600 to have a WP site reverse engineered into a conventional one, without any improvements or upgrades. Those will be quoted as appropriate.
In other words (and it should be fairly brain-dead obvious) - we are going to have to talk about the conversion to find out what the ultimate goals and needs of the final site are. If that doesn’t happen - keep the WP site.
While HirMon has yet to undertake such a project -- we are getting questions about this possibility. Some of the why? we’ve heard from potential clients so far is a little disturbing.
- Can’t get the WP site to do what I need it to do.
- Just can’t get the look and feel right.
- Not really working out the way I hoped it would.
- Do you have any idea how much third-party maintenance is costing me??
Maintenance costs?! Oh, didn’t any body mention that while the WordPress software is free, the time and talents required to make it work even half-way resonable are extraordinary... Like HirMon - those folks don’t work for free.
