Any web developers?
- Thread starter Grahambo
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edgesofsanity
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He feels your pain.
Grahambo
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He feels your pain.
The struggle is real.
TheTurningPoint
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IrishYJ should know some
C
Cackalacky
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Sorry brother. Have you tried the deep web?
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I might know someone, depending on the project. Mind if I ask what you're trying to do?
You might want to try and focus your request to get a response of value.
First you have to look at what language you want to use. Is it PHP or Ruby on Rails? Maybe ASP.NET.
Web development is primarily based around what content management system you use and each of the content management systems are built on different languages.
If PHP, the largest CMS (both PHP and the web as a whole) is WordPress. Another open source PHP CMS is Drupal. If you're running a large store you might be looking at Magento or Shopify. If you're looking for a ASP based CMS you could be considering Sitecore or SharePoint.
That is unless you're looking for a basic static HTML site...but why would you do that?
By focusing in on the language and CMS first, you will be able to compare developer to developer or agency to agency. Beyond this, you should also have a couple of answers on what is your budget and what you're trying to do.
Reworking your question as an example to be productive for people who either work with the web or know those who do...
I am looking for a developer to build a website for my business. The website needs to do [function 1], [function 2] and [function 3] for me to view it as successful. I will need [requirement 1] and [requirement 2]. I currently [do or do not have a site] and this would be a [migration or new build]. My budget for this project is [$$$$].
The functions outline the key deliverables for the project. Putting a contact form on the site is not a function. Connecting that form to a CRM, say Salesforce, is a function.
The requirements are for items like I need the ability to edit or update content often or I need the site to be mobile friendly. This is also called responsive.
Identifying if you have an existing site or not is important as it tells me if you already have content and branding in place. The existence of this changes the scope, timeline and trajectory of the project greatly.
Lastly, and most importantly, putting your budget out there is crucial. I know some people want to play the game of getting numbers to review and comparing but that's counter productive for all.
For the agency, good ones are not going to waste their time working up a bid when they don't even know your ballpark. So all that you're going to get is people who need the work or would rather spend time bidding than building.
Added to this, when the agency knows the functions and requirements needed and can compare against a budget, they can guide you through the process.
It could be that your budget does not match their minimum level of engagement but knowing all of this information they can send you to someone or somewhere that will. It takes 1 min for someone like me to read a message like that and know the next steps.
You could get:
'hey Grahambo, your budget does not really provide for the ability to do a custom site. Since your requirements are pretty minimal, you might want to look at a site building tool like Squarespace. You can set up a site there on your own and pay monthly. Give that site 6months to a year. If at that time your business is a success, you can then start to plan for a custom site with all of the bells and whistles, with a proper budget.
It could also be that your budget can get some of the stuff done but not all of it. So in turn you might get a reply like:
'hey Grahambo, with us you you can do 2 of the 3 functions and 1 of the 2 requirements based on your budget. If you're able to increase your budget by 25% or break it up into multiple phases...we can work with you.'
Often, a client would come back and say something like:
"hey dales50505, for me to get a return on my investment I really only need to do function 1 and it's really important to me to get both requirement 1 and 2. Is there a way we can package that as phase 1...let the investment return and then work on the rest as we go?"
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