Hi, I need advice from the current directory owners. I am starting a local directory with limited funds and I have no knowledge of programming. I have looked at many scripts and PHPLD seems to be fitting the bill. But I do not know how to install it or how to make it work. So, I thought of getting some paid help from the programmers on DP. Problem is that I have gotten quotes with large variations. I do not know who is good, who can do the job, why someone is charging something they are charging. How do you figure these things out? Do you have any recommendations? I look forward to your responses. Thanks for your help.
There are probably four reasons in the varied pricing...you have folks who will bid pennies on the dollar who may or may not be able to do the job, people who are qualified and not charging enough, people who know what they are doing and asking a fair rate, and people who over-value their work. Problem is, you have no way of knowing which is which. Normally, I wouldn't suggest this but I agree with the other reply, go to the phpLD forum and get bids from there. Ask each bidder to include a list of any directories they have owned or worked on. When you narrow the list of candidates down to one or two, you might also want to ask them to change something on their site to ensure that they actually do own any sites they claim to. Installing the software is fairly easy. The pool of folks who can do that is quite large. Customizing the fields and what displays on your site is more difficult and there will be less folks who can honestly say to you, "Yes, I know how to do that and have done it before." I would also ask around to see if anyone is selling a local business directory template. You might be able to save some money by using it as a starting point for your own site. Good luck.
Yes PHPLD are the people to talk to. Depending exactly what you need we can help. Contact me through my site Mitre Design or PM me here for a quote.
I recieved an infraction for this post WHY We can do everything they want and we are directory owners.
actually this isnt true, phpld doesnt offer free support. in fact I paid for support when I first purchased a script from them many years ago and they decided to introduce a yearly paid model last year without any thought for people like me who had paid for support.
I suggest just asking the questions on the PHPld forum. It's probably your best bet. But in all honesty, if your going to take on the responsibility of running a directory, these are some things you are going to want to research and look into prior of opening up shop.