How much would address lookup website database cost?

[CoolHands]

Just pondering. How much would it cost to set up a website on which punters enter their address on a lookup thingy and give their basic info ie name address contact details. The idea is for a public good, ie non-profit making. It's to record everyone that wants to participate in a central place and be contactable in certain situations.

So I'm thinking of like my local council website page for recording missed bin collection where you put in your postcode then it supplies a drop down list of house numbers. You click your house number then go on to enter your relevant details.

Also, out of interest where do web developers get the database for such an address lookup?

Thanks

[CoolHands]

Actually just found Harrow use these people for their forms. No indication of cost though

https://www.firmstep.com/achieveforms

Edit found elsewhere they charge approx 8k a year for small business - around 1500 form use per month. Seems pretty pricey!

Edited by CoolHands on Thursday 17th December 21:59

[CrutyRammers]

google "address lookup api" should get you started, there look to be quite a few. There'll be various pricing models, per-use, yearly subscription etc.

[CoolHands]

Ah that's better thanks. Looks like about 2p per lookup

https://ideal-postcodes.co.uk

Edit actually they provide an ONS database script for free. I think it is not quite as accurate as the Royal Mail daily updated one which costs.

Edited by CoolHands on Thursday 17th December 22:24

[Evolved]

What platform will it sit on?

[CoolHands]

Errr dunno what you mean, sorry. As above I am thinking of a website that does what I said. I suppose you mean what kind of database would hold the info? In which case, I dunno! I will speak to my brother as he runs an Internet business so knows about this st more than me!

[DSLiverpool]

CoolHands said:

Errr dunno what you mean, sorry. As above I am thinking of a website that does what I said. I suppose you mean what kind of database would hold the info? In which case, I dunno! I will speak to my brother as he runs an Internet business so knows about this st more than me!

It means what website will you be using - eg opensource, magento etc or maybe a godaddy jobby?

[droopsnoot]

If I recall correctly the Royal Mail PAF (Postcode address file) charged around 1p per look-up, plus your quarterly PAF Reseller subscription. Exact prices varied depending on exactly what data is required, the more information you need the dearer it gets. I did a quick search for PAF licensees but it looks as if a lot has changed in the last few years, so the above may be incorrect now.

[V8mate]

Or you could just let people type in their details for free?

[-DeaDLocK-]

I built (and co-own) a site that does free UK postcode<->address lookups, along with some other features along those lines. Google seems to like us (the amount of peak-hour organic traffic can sometimes beat our dedicated server down a little) and the Adsense revenue more than makes it worthwhile, which ain't bad for a site that essentially runs itself.

The PAF stuff is a bit of a minefield, with a lot of licensing conditions to adhere to. The data is generally good, though we source data from other places as well to supplement and to make the site more useful to people and attractive to Mr Google.

We're working on an API now; quite a number of players out there already at various price points, but the market is decent.