h123er2

- Do you ask the client for how long they want website to be up for?
Not really, usually if the site is expected to have a limited lifetime the client will have already stated that in their brief
 
- Do you discuss with them about the hosting and domain cost?
For hosting, yes, as the site may have special requirements so you need to provide advice about the correct type of hosting. Domains are usually purchased by the client.
 
- Do you ask the client, who just wants a website for his small local business if they want website in Wordpress?
No, I never suggest what publishing platform may work for them until I know more about their content, abilities, budget and long term plans. If the client suggests a particular platform in their brief I will always ask why they think that particular one will meet their needs.

In terms of hosting and domain, I always discuss with the client as I offer basic shared hosting packages. So, I need to know if they already have hosting, and if not, if my basic hosting will work for them or if they need to find something that can handle more traffic and general use.
 
For breaking down the cost for them, I simple put it as a separate cost from the design & development of the website. For me specifically, I would tell them the website design is x amount of dollars, plus hosting and domain will be $4.99/month purchased in 12 month packages.
 
People always like it when the cost is broken down for them so they know where their money is going. It's good to always have the total project fee bolded at the top and bottom of an invoice for any clients who just want to know how much money to fork over and get on with their day.

First the good
The layout definitely works, are you trying to use golden ratio?
The colour combination is correct, that is why the colour 'works' because they are opposite ends of the colour wheel making the combination harmonious
I am glad to see that you are using CSS 3 in order to create corners
and lastly its always great for people to remember to add social networking features to their site
 
Now the bad
The colours are far too bright, they need to be dulled down if you are going to use such colours
I feel that its unfinished, it might be cause there is no logo though
Your typography needs a lot of work
get rid of the gradients, they are so 90's
dont forget the alt tags for all images.
 
The advice
Although you have picked harmonious colours check out the tone of some of the websites around, here are a few
http://www.soultrave...-Website-26.png
http://slodive.com/w...eighty-four.jpg
http://www.webdesign...gn-com-2790.jpg

Did you notice something about those sites? they use one main colour and to add contrast they slap the other colour around in order to make it stand out from the rest of the content.. use tone, contrast and an eye versed in viewing the best websites in order to take yourself a step further.

If you really dont feel as if you can design a logo, you can always purchase one, but bare in mind that this is not always unique to you, if on the other hand you wanted to try, how you create a logo is by researching your product, researching what others are using as logos for your product, draw a sketch, draw a sketch,draw a sketch, - yes, I said that 3 times because you keep going until your ideas develop and then keep going, then take the best ones and develop them, then pick the best and finalise that design.
 
Typography need a little more practice, I am afraid that it takes time because mostly its about knowing what looks good, what works and
what does not, instead to start, check out typography pieces that look good to you and try to implement them into your designs, here is a great place for typography in websites http://www.awwwards....tes/typography/ but you can just stick to the basics for now if you want http://www.steptoand...t-combinations/

check out html 5 - its so cool!! lol

Hope this helps a tad.