Corporate Web site Design
Discussion
Hi All - I know that there are several web designers who frequent PH.
We are expanding the business & need another site setting up.
It's a motor trade site & will need a database behind it, as I understand it, to enable the visitors to spec up their own car choice.
Who can do this & what are the approx costs? (Our current site is hosted & managed by a company that takes a % of sales revenue, and I need a comparison of costs, before I blindly sign up with them again...)
Thanks in advance & feel free to email me through my profile if you have any Q's.
Chris
We are expanding the business & need another site setting up.
It's a motor trade site & will need a database behind it, as I understand it, to enable the visitors to spec up their own car choice.
Who can do this & what are the approx costs? (Our current site is hosted & managed by a company that takes a % of sales revenue, and I need a comparison of costs, before I blindly sign up with them again...)
Thanks in advance & feel free to email me through my profile if you have any Q's.
Chris
chris.mapey said:YHM
Hi All - I know that there are several web designers who frequent PH.
We are expanding the business & need another site setting up.
It's a motor trade site & will need a database behind it, as I understand it, to enable the visitors to spec up their own car choice.
Who can do this & what are the approx costs? (Our current site is hosted & managed by a company that takes a % of sales revenue, and I need a comparison of costs, before I blindly sign up with them again...)
Thanks in advance & feel free to email me through my profile if you have any Q's.
Chris
We build database driven web sites every day of the week, and have done for years. I'd be delighted to help!Your question is a little bit 'how long's a piece of string' on price. You need to remember that there are 3 types of web builder:
Web Designers (ex graphic designers using WYSIWYG packages such as Dreamweaver and FrontPage)
Web Developers - techies who will build it well but may dodge the design and useability issues.
Bedroom Designers - usually a mate of a mate who knows a mate etc. These guys are proficient and typically very cheap but dont expect deadlines to be hit or any kind of ongoing accountability as these guys are usually IT professionals with empty evenings (not unusual - have you met any?
Prices for a 'proper' web company that can deliver a site with CMS (content management system) that enables YOU to update specific areas of the site (be careful not be drawn into a full site CMS as these are either expensive or make the design suffer quite a bit)should be anywhere from £3-7k (broad I know) although it does depend on the exact spec. Also worth considering is the accesibility of the site build quality as this will enable 'natural' search engine optimisation rather than ongoing costs for the box of tricks - most of which are bulls**t since Google now runs the show.
As far as hosting goes dont let them lie to you - you can get it for £30 a year at your level just dont expect much help when it goes wrong!!! Better to host UK if poss and pay up to £250 - 300 p/a for peace of mind. I would take a recommendation if you can or look at www.ukwda.org for members with pedigree as there are some real muppets out there! Good luck my friend - and if you want no money left for cars try our website at www.brycefarrah.com
Web Designers (ex graphic designers using WYSIWYG packages such as Dreamweaver and FrontPage)
Web Developers - techies who will build it well but may dodge the design and useability issues.
Bedroom Designers - usually a mate of a mate who knows a mate etc. These guys are proficient and typically very cheap but dont expect deadlines to be hit or any kind of ongoing accountability as these guys are usually IT professionals with empty evenings (not unusual - have you met any?
Prices for a 'proper' web company that can deliver a site with CMS (content management system) that enables YOU to update specific areas of the site (be careful not be drawn into a full site CMS as these are either expensive or make the design suffer quite a bit)should be anywhere from £3-7k (broad I know) although it does depend on the exact spec. Also worth considering is the accesibility of the site build quality as this will enable 'natural' search engine optimisation rather than ongoing costs for the box of tricks - most of which are bulls**t since Google now runs the show.
As far as hosting goes dont let them lie to you - you can get it for £30 a year at your level just dont expect much help when it goes wrong!!! Better to host UK if poss and pay up to £250 - 300 p/a for peace of mind. I would take a recommendation if you can or look at www.ukwda.org for members with pedigree as there are some real muppets out there! Good luck my friend - and if you want no money left for cars try our website at www.brycefarrah.com
I'd strongly recommend Yertis for web design and integration.
www.pistonheads.com/members/showProfile.asp?memberId=14986
www.pistonheads.com/members/showProfile.asp?memberId=14986
Hi, I'm a mate of Muncher’s (Paul) so he pointed me here.
I did www.daihatsusales.com for a customer, it’s got fairly simple vehicle spec back end for the models and colours, each following a tree powered from a database. I have done much larger stuff too for online shops etc, if you can explain it, we can build it.
If you do some searches on MSN and others, you will see that site actually comes above the main Daihatsu site for most of the models.
• “Daihatsu” #2 > http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?q=daihatsu
• "Daihatsu Copen" #1 > http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?q=daihatsu+cope
Cost wise, your looking at £900 - £2500 depending on spec, level of design and functionality - such as how complex the vehicle spec system is. As for hosting, you can be hosted on our server in Docklands for around £150/year for typical bandwidth requirements.
(Please PM me if you require further details)
Regards,
Sam
www.2dmedia.co.uk
>> Edited by s a m on Thursday 29th December 22:59
I did www.daihatsusales.com for a customer, it’s got fairly simple vehicle spec back end for the models and colours, each following a tree powered from a database. I have done much larger stuff too for online shops etc, if you can explain it, we can build it.
If you do some searches on MSN and others, you will see that site actually comes above the main Daihatsu site for most of the models.
• “Daihatsu” #2 > http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?q=daihatsu
• "Daihatsu Copen" #1 > http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?q=daihatsu+cope
Cost wise, your looking at £900 - £2500 depending on spec, level of design and functionality - such as how complex the vehicle spec system is. As for hosting, you can be hosted on our server in Docklands for around £150/year for typical bandwidth requirements.
(Please PM me if you require further details)
Regards,
Sam
www.2dmedia.co.uk
>> Edited by s a m on Thursday 29th December 22:59
This is exactly the kind of thing my company (www.cantarus.com) does. I'll email you further information.
Edited by roadsweeper on Friday 14th July 09:09
benednor said:Er, welcome to PH Benednor - you maybe should check the "how many of you work in IT" threads (they repeat pretty regularly). Quite a few "IT proferssionals" hereabouts I think you'll find.
.. these guys are usually IT professionals with empty evenings (not unusual - have you met any?
I do know what you mean though!
victormeldrew said:
.. these guys are usually IT professionals with empty evenings (not unusual - have you met any?
I do know what you mean though!
Nuff said! Naturally I was referring to everyone other than those with the good sense and class to frequent PH.....
We've used an ex-pat living in Spain who trades as VengaVenga. He designed my wife's Betty Boop Shop website, which is a heavily-customised osCommerce install using PHP and MySQL. Very reasonable prices if you don't load up on "extras" too much and a pleasant guy to work with. We deal with him mainly over IM (MSN and/or Yahoo Messenger) which assures good response.
For hosting we use Muncher.
For hosting we use Muncher.
chris.mapey said:
Hi All - I know that there are several web designers who frequent PH.
<snip>
(Our current site is hosted & managed by a company that takes a % of sales revenue, and I need a comparison of costs, before I blindly sign up with them again...)
Chris
You know where to come for that
JamieBeeston said:Thats right... to us. We do hosting and site management too
Hi All - I know that there are several web designers who frequent PH.
<snip>
(Our current site is hosted & managed by a company that takes a % of sales revenue, and I need a comparison of costs, before I blindly sign up with them again...)
Chris
You know where to come for that
UKBob said:
Hi All - I know that there are several web designers who frequent PH.
<snip>
(Our current site is hosted & managed by a company that takes a % of sales revenue, and I need a comparison of costs, before I blindly sign up with them again...)
Chris
You know where to come for that
uh huh
Lets not go there
J
benednor made some excellent points there.
I class my self (and company) within both the web designer and web developer fields, we provide sites starting from professional looking small company websites, some with CMS for editing the text on the pages, others static, and some with article management for news and so on – but generally fairly static with a little CMS for the odd bits the customer would like to manage themselves.
On the other end of the scale, we provide fully integrated e-commerce, management systems, and complete bespoke web applications.
I generally refer to this as a full circle service – from one company, you get the full range of services that modern businesses need – from the actual website, to the complicated and solution orientated stuff that goes with it. And for maximum speed & reliability, its all hosted on our server in Docklands.
The UKWDA is a good place to start - and also for comical value, 90% of their approved/member companies break almost every design rule, compatibility rule and accessibility rule in the book. Just look in the Essex section, there’s some howlers.
(You will also see why I called my company 2Dmedia, its almost at the top of the list on UKWDA and other directories
)
Edited to add...
High speed hosting available from us (server based in JamieBeeston's data centre in Docklands - very good by the way)
>> Edited by s a m on Tuesday 3rd January 23:48
I class my self (and company) within both the web designer and web developer fields, we provide sites starting from professional looking small company websites, some with CMS for editing the text on the pages, others static, and some with article management for news and so on – but generally fairly static with a little CMS for the odd bits the customer would like to manage themselves.
On the other end of the scale, we provide fully integrated e-commerce, management systems, and complete bespoke web applications.
I generally refer to this as a full circle service – from one company, you get the full range of services that modern businesses need – from the actual website, to the complicated and solution orientated stuff that goes with it. And for maximum speed & reliability, its all hosted on our server in Docklands.
The UKWDA is a good place to start - and also for comical value, 90% of their approved/member companies break almost every design rule, compatibility rule and accessibility rule in the book. Just look in the Essex section, there’s some howlers.
(You will also see why I called my company 2Dmedia, its almost at the top of the list on UKWDA and other directories
) Edited to add...
High speed hosting available from us (server based in JamieBeeston's data centre in Docklands - very good by the way)
>> Edited by s a m on Tuesday 3rd January 23:48
Tip:
Sort the domain names +hosting yourself after discussion of platform choice
e.g, Windows or Unix/Linux hosting required - depends on what applications + programming languages the designers use.
This way you still have control over your website should you wish to change designers for whatever reasons.
I recommend register1 as well - good value for money + good features/service and knowledge.
Just my opinion feel free to make your own mind up
R
*** Happy New Year PH'ers ! ***
Sort the domain names +hosting yourself after discussion of platform choice
e.g, Windows or Unix/Linux hosting required - depends on what applications + programming languages the designers use.
This way you still have control over your website should you wish to change designers for whatever reasons.
I recommend register1 as well - good value for money + good features/service and knowledge.
Just my opinion feel free to make your own mind up
R
*** Happy New Year PH'ers ! ***
s a m said:He did. But they are more warnings of what you get, if you dont find a company who is very strong in all areas. There are far too many people offering a web design service, who have shortcommings in other areas.
benednor made some excellent points there.
We specialise in all the main areas.
www.ultimatecarcontrol.com/_new
We are proficient with flash, in terms of both animation, coding and design. All the scenarios, clouds, mountains (and the car on the main page) were all created by us, generated/designed by us on the computer. No photos were used. Its not supposed to be fun, nor playable etc... its merely a fancy pants menu system.
www.ownonline.co.uk
An ecommerce website we developed for a supermarket, which is an improvement on waitrose's own ocado website
We have built websites for users with sight/hearing impariments for the dyslexia institute, MP's, we work for the local government/council, we do 3D design and 2D design to a high level too, as well as the all important programming [toot horn toot horn, etc etc
] and search engine optimisation. They are valid points, but its often best to go with a company who is highly proficient in all areas, rather than an individual who fits one mould. Imho.
rameshuk said:Its a good point, but doesnt apply to "proper" companies, who look after their clients. The biggest headache we have is with clients who set up their own hosting/domains elsewhere, before consulting us. Hence we give domains away for free
Tip:
Sort the domain names +hosting yourself after discussion of platform choice
e.g, Windows or Unix/Linux hosting required - depends on what applications + programming languages the designers use.
This way you still have control over your website should you wish to change designers for whatever reasons.
And we dont charge to transfer sites in nor out. Its all about taking care of the customer, even if they want to move on. And it makes sense to speak to the company you are dealing with re: hosted solutions before signing up blindly for a service feeling the upper edge has been gained, because you have control. We sometimes give clients hosting for free as well as the domain, if we feel its appropriate to do so.
The bottom line as with anything in life, the most important step is finding the right company to work with on a long term basis, and then discussing the finer points.
(sorry to sound so opinionated chaps, everyone has their 2 penneth to share)
benednor said:
look at www.ukwda.org for members with pedigree as there are some real muppets out there!
I'm not sure about this.
I have over five years commercial experience of Web development including working for one of the UK largest interactive agencies (Wheel/pres.co) and have worked on several blue chip company Web sites including Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com), Abbey National (www.abbey.com) and Halifax Bank of Scotland (www.hbosplc.com). I have never met another person who's a member of UKDWA . In my opinion the kind of people who join UKDWA are amateurs desperate to add some credentials because their portfolios are sorely lacking.
The best way by far to find a designer/developer is through word of mouth.
slapmatt said:Agreed. They are usually a notch or two above the sites who boast the "Joe Blow's site of the day award"
In my opinion the kind of people who join UKDWA are amateurs desperate to add some credentials because their portfolios are sorely lacking.
You really do have to be careful who you go with though. I have clients who came to us, and we were the 4th company to "try our hand" at sorting them out!! Of course we sorted them out - but what other line of work can a client pay three times, and still not end up with a finish working product which is exactly to their liking. The world "Minefield" comes to mind.
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