The best option....

[Brian]

If you had what you thought was a "good idea" for a web site, but you aren't very good at designing web sites, what is the best option to follow?
I have looked at sites like webdesigners123.com, and it looks pretty good.

The main doubt I have about getting someone to design a site for me is this:
What if the site becomes so popular, and starts generating a considerable amount of money? Will the designer demand a "slice of the action"?

And how do you trust the designer not to copy your idea?

What would the best option be if it was you?

Thanks.

 

[retired_member27]

What if the site becomes so popular, and starts generating a considerable amount of money?

If only.

If you going to get a web designer to do the site for you, always get a quote first and try to make sure he/she hasn't just download a template of the internet. The price is for the website, it doesn't matter if it's popular or not.

If on the other hand you don't mind 5 or 6 other people in the world who might have the same website design as you then take a look at Template Monster you can get some amazing websites there for as little as $50.

As for me, if I knew that a certain website was going to be really popular then I would design it myself, however as 95% of websites are not then I would use a service like Template Monster.

The question is, what would you consider a popular website, 1k unique users per month, 10k, 100k or 1 million plus?

 

[charlie]

always get a quote first and try to make sure he/she hasn't just download a template of the internet. The price is for the website, it doesn't matter if it's popular or not.

I find even if you use a template as you develop the idea the less and less the template works for you and end up with something bespoke. Of course this depends on the idea - if you idea is just "my name is charlie" then this aint going to need changes to the basics template. If its a recruitment site with log in / cv upload third party logo, news feature etc then the webdeisgner still has lots of work todo!

The question is, what would you consider a popular website, 1k unique users per month, 10k, 100k or 1 million plus?

the question now is if your designer has the ability and knowledge to put a site together that will hold out with 100k visitors.

If you idea invloves a complex website then i would find a designer you can work with and build a business with. Slapping up a template and taking the money aint going to help you in the long run.

quite willing to help - www.cowrie.co.uk

 

[Brian]

The idea I have will involve quite a complex web site that will require quite a lot of coding.

I know exactly what I want it to do, and how exactly it will look. The problem I have is getting it from paper to an actual site.

I know this will come easy to a lot of you, but I just don't have the know how on how to do this.

I have a copy of Dreamweaver MX, and Front Page, but I think it would be best if I got a professional to do this.
Its just that I am a bit dubious on who to turn to, and who to trust.

 

[charlie]

The idea I have will involve quite a complex web site that will require quite a lot of coding.

I know exactly what I want it to do, and how exactly it will look. The problem I have is getting it from paper to an actual site.

I know this will come easy to a lot of you, but I just don't have the know how on how to do this.

I have a copy of Dreamweaver MX, and Front Page, but I think it would be best if I got a professional to do this.
Its just that I am a bit dubious on who to turn to, and who to trust.

well if you'll have to trust someone at some point. I understand that you dont want anyone to walk off with your idea but if you need some one to give you a second opinion then get in touch

 

[aqls]

Its just that I am a bit dubious on who to turn to, and who to trust.

Don't trust anyone :twisted:

except for charlie

Have a look at his signature and see if you like what he does - live database feeds, nice designs etc. I do and refer to them on occasion!!

It is of course best to turn to someone who has a good idea about domains and knows what you are trying to achieve.

-aqls-

 

[accelerator]

Without giving away your idea, why don't you tell everybody here what kind of functionality you are going to need. E.g. do you need a database, image upload, etc etc.

I say it's always worth learning a little about what you are going to need, just so you're not completely in the dark.

It's also often worth seeing what open source scripts have been written already, see:

hotscripts.com

There are various sites like freelancers.net, rentacoder.com, and elance.com, but obviously you have to be a lot more careful than when you are dealing with a web design company face to face, which might be the better option, because it's then easier to hold someone accountable.

Out of interest, what kind of design budget do you have?

Rgds

Accelerator

 

[Brian]

I have sent Charlie a PM, and I am waiting on his reply.
What I have is a web page design on paper. I know exactly how I want it to look, and what it should do.

The main "function" of the site I have in mind is this:

A person pays (via paypal) to upload a image to the site (there will be enough spaces for 5000 images), the image will then auto delete after a number of days. Leaving the space free for another image to be uploaded. All this must be full automated.

Thank you all for your replies, and I will keep you informed on how the plan is going. It might be something of nothing, but something is telling me to make a bit of effort with this one.

Whats that saying, "There is those that do, and there is those who don't...."

Brian

 

[charlie]

Whats that saying, "There is those that do, and there is those who don't...."

definitely something in that

 

[rob]

A person pays (via paypal) to upload a image to the site (there will be enough spaces for 5000 images), the image will then auto delete after a number of days. Leaving the space free for another image to be uploaded. All this must be full automated.

there are sites that do this kind of thing all over the place, paid and free. Unless there is a major spin on it then unfortunatly it will just be another 'me too' site