What is the best way to get a complete site with database created? My primary goal is to get it done CORRECTLY, but like everyone else I do have a budget. Are local development firms the way to go for advanced projects with large databases, or can freelancers handle it? Should I avoid freelancers for such a big important project or will they do the exact same thing but for cheaper?
I'm thinking large development firms outsource their work to freelancers. There's always the exception. It's like the wikinomics thing to do. Kinda like hiring a contractor to build your home. They outsource all their building projects but take all the headaches associated with building a home between you, the trades, and time. My two cents anyway.
Six of one, half dozen of another. Post what you need done, you can fish competent people to do things right off this forum. Nigel
freelancers are cheap. and companies are costly. but companies have infrastructure to support ur needs. with a freelancer, all pain is urs. i would anyday go with a freelancer than a company.
Hmm, that's quite a generalisation. It's entirely possible to have a quote from an individual that's higher than a quote from a company, it all depends. In my opinion there's no evidence that either is 'better' than the other. There are some terrible companies out there that charge a fortune and do awful work and there are some freelancers who do wonderful stuff for half the money. If you're working with a database you may well find that a company outsources that part of the work to an individual anyway. It is probably a good idea to post a brief outline of the job here. I don't know your skill level so I'll apologise in advance if I'm being patronising, but it's entirely possible that what you consider to be a 'large database' is nothing of the sort in relative terms. I've had people come to me expecting a job to take six weeks and cost thousands only for me to say that it's actually pretty straightforward. Jon
one cannot trust on small/local web development companies for such a big project.. you can choose between a good web development firm or a good freelancer (have a look on their portfolio and ask what you looking for).. your work can be done by both.. and yes I agree with jim_rei_mer large development firms outsource their work to freelancers..
Yeah, I've done plenty of freelance work, and numerous times have gone to work for a development firm on a project. For someone that's done both, I'd say - If you go with a development firm, choose carefully. Look at the portfolio, cost it out, make suer they have time for you, and will pay your project the attention it needs. You also have the advantage they'll *probably* be there in 6 months when you need stuff changing, help / whatever. But do choose carefully. Really examine their portfolio. There's plenty of companies with poor designers / coders who'll promise the earth but can't deliver. Also check how much will be done in-house and by who. If they're going to contract stuff out, you're in the same situation you would have been finding someone yourself. A freelancer will probably be cheaper, but again, make sure you'll be able to get in touch with them in six months, unless you have the confidence (or friends or connections!) to take it on yourself. The advantage is they'll probably work a lot more closely with you - but get a delivery date from them. Give them a date you want the site done by (provided you have supplied them with all the content and have made all the needed decisions - there's nothing more frustrating than waiting for a client to sort the content, make decisions, whatever, when you're trying to get the job done). Look at their previous sites, ask them what they did on the sites you like, what they can do and get them to show you examples if you can. A freelancer *can* do big projects, you just need to make sure you get the right one. If you can afford it, sometimes if you're starting on something that's going to make profit, offer a freelancer a profit share (or ownership points) - not only will you probably get the site at a massive discount, but the freelancer is way more likely to stick around, make changes for free, and make it work for you. Eitherway, just make sure you know what you want, you know how much changes will cost (or even better, they provide you with a way to make changes yourself) and you can give whoever an exact idea of what you want. And of course, as with everything- you pay peanuts you get monkeys.
Whichever way you decide to go, make sure that you go to some of the websites on their portfolio, and ask them what their experience working with that particular designer/design firm was. If they give you a good reference and the quote fits within your budget, then go for it! P.S. Please consider us? www.1stclasswebsites.com
Good points everyone. Thanks. What about local companies/freelancers versus a company in a different state or country? Does this make it difficult to communicate your goals with them and receive back feedback and suggestions? I have the content for the site on paper and I will need to mail those (or maybe send jpgs). Also I have about 90 percent of the text for the site, but the developer will need to place the text and provide a bit. Would a developer in say Sri Lanka, Russia, or Eastern Europe be able to write the text in fluent business English and in a manner that would appeal to US based costumers?
Here is a longer description of the project that I need built. I already have the content and functions of each page of the website on paper as well as a site map linking each page. The approximate layout of each page has also been created. The developer's job will be to use some creativity with the layouts and use the content to create a clean, professional, quick and responsive website with a secure database. I already have server space and a domain. The site will need to perform the following tasks: 1. Allow secure user registration and keep users logged in during their visit 2. Allow users to enter large amounts of data in the database 3. Allow users to search the database and return results based on specified search queries across several database attributes. Search results must appear near-instantaneously. 4. Must be able to provide security for the database as it will contain sensitive data that should not be access by non-registered users. Additionally users should not be able to access other user’s personal data. 5. Registered users and non-registered users will need to be able to have different levels of access to both the site and the database. Search results will need to be limited for non-registered users 6. Must be able to send e-mails to users to verify their e-mail address and grant access to them based on links clicked in the sent e-mail. Must also be able to send e-mails to users who have forgotten their password and been locked out. 7. Dynamic text boxes must be able to return strings matching what the user is typing in real time. For example, if the user types “th†into the text box, it must show a list of all items from a particular database attribute with the string “thâ€. Theme would be returned to the user as well as “fourthâ€. As soon as user types “the†fourth would disappear from the suggestion list and theme would remain. An example of this is can be found at linkedin.com when a user enters the name of their company. 8. Must provide a way for an administrator to add, modify, or delete any data in the database. This tool must be secure as it will have complete control of the database. It is preferred that the tool is a separate tool from the website and resides on the server. It is preferred that this tool is GUI based. The admin must also be able to perform custom queries on the database. A simple content management system may also be needed to allow the admin to change ads on the page. 9. Must be able to collect IP addresses and time stamps for each database entry. Must be able to track the username of the person who creates or modifies any database entry. 10. Must be able to create dynamic pages mixing search results and advertisements. Optional services I am also looking for: 1. Regular site maintenance. This includes code changes and updates, fixes, server migrations, and backups. 2. Logos and corporate identity Anyone have any guesses on the cost for this?
If your major target audience is U.S. consumers, at the very least this English text should be reviewed and adjusted to target those consumers. Don't make the mistake of having this part done by people whose first language is not U.S. English UNLESS this part is reviewed and deemed ok by someone whose first (or only) language is U.S. English. Personally I would not let anyone outside of the U.S. do this part, although much of the rest of the project can be done anywhere.
If I go with a freelancer, I will probably be the only one reviewing it, unless they have a third party to create the text.
I think it's absolutely fine to work with some one remotely, particuarly if they have a good portfolio and and give you a good price. I pretty much agree with mmerlinn, except I'd just say don't use anyone that doesn't have a perfect grasp of English. You don't want to waste time with translations and crossed wires. But providing you're both on the same page, I really don't see it as a problem. I've done plenty of work, big and small projects, for people I've never met in the flesh. You've just got to talk on the phone / IM / email regularly.
My only reservation is going after the person legally if there is a problem and second, trying to mail documents to them.
Yeah, I guess you could have legal issues. But that would be a real shame. I wish people would talk through problems and try and find solutions rather than taking the legal route immediately.
Sure, but with a company you are more likely that they will not get up and disappear without doing the work, or doing it poorly. On the flip side, a freelancer could be more personable and responsive than a big company.
Company usually goes along with substantial investments, commitments, portfolio and established history. These companies are professionals and have invested substantial resources in doing things right. Most freelancers have not gone through the same level of commitment, might have not as much experience, or worked on that many projects. Some have but most have not. The main thing with either is talking with them, finding out what they are about, checking their quality of work, etc... do a little background check on everyone and you're worries will be erased.