Thread: Would you pay 10k on a startup website?

Originally Posted by canadiangal

The client side Language used:JavaScript/ AJAX, HTML
The Project will be developed on Linux
The Backend Database will be MYSQL

Server Side Scripting LanguagePHP
Designed layouts –Adobe Photoshop

Whatever all these mean...I don't know.

This kind of "specification" means 2 things:

1. bidder as an amateur AND/OR
2. thinks you're even more naive than him to be impressed with these words.

While some of the above info is relevant, this is by no means specification, it's a joke
so you can freely scratch this one from the list.

---

Btw. as someone suggested, test before you invest. As fabulous as your idea may seem to you,
and I believe it is, why not test the market first with something much smaller, cheaper, simpler.

Like making your original app but with minimum of required functionality, for start. Just so you can
see where it goes, and add features as market dictates - better than to invest in guessing.

This way you'll also test developers, and get better at outsourcing game. And they'll be more on their toes.

Sometimes here discussions start how to get investors for a project, and conclusion is always - prove them
your idea works - do it on a smaller scale and then ask for funding.

Now, as you're a startup, you're probably less rich than millionaire investors, and if they are so cautious with their
money, why wouldn't you be too? There always is an option that site will be an epic fail, so why spending more than
necessary?

I say this in good faith and with best wishes to your startup. Many successful web stories started on a shoestring budget.
The goal of the game is to have $10k come to you every month, not throwing $10k before you even got into game.

---

Few more tips:

- Also include in your plan expenses of running a website. Having it created is just step one. Sort of like buying a car. Once you have it, you then need gas money, registration money, parking place, insurance...

- Have someone audit the code periodically, as the mere fact that the site works is not guarantee it's written in a good and sustainable manner, that it's secure and capable of handling big traffic etc.

Originally Posted by canadiangal

Yes, but what they are requesting to take out for phase 1 is what's the most important feature (probably the most difficult to implement). That's what is shooting their prices to the roof.

I'm sooo curious what this is.

So, basically 8k to 10k is unacceptable?
I can't think of a way to simplify it.
I am only dealing with companies, not individual programmers.
I am no programmer, I have talked to some of them, their architects, and they seem pretty smart and I think they are. Quality may not be up to the north American standards but that can be worked on later with local devellopers once money starts coming in.
If I put in even 1k, it better work because I don't have money to waste. It may require some fixing but I pray that I can make it work at some point.

tip: go to Balasmiq.com and make your own wireframe.. much better than a spec sheet..

balsamiq, very cool

You could just pm one of us your idea so we can help better.

I mean JamesF is busy with freelanceful and I'm swamped with sockstoyourdoor Pretty much any fastlane member here with their own start-up doesn't have the time nor will to "steal" your idea and we're all prob going to be going through some of the same issues "increasing our customer base" so why not get specific with some of the "doers"?

ok, ok, you win.
I am going to give you guys a hint: It is a business in Australia with a twist. lol
You guys are making me laugh lol. It is something to do with rentals.

Can you give us an idea of what functionality you need for the website?

Edit: So you need to keep track of things you are renting, and the customer's information?

Originally Posted by clarkster009

Can you give us an idea of what functionality you need for the website?

Good job digging this out.

I work with a team of developers from Singapore who would PROBABLY do this for at least 40% less than what you've been quoted for. I am saying this because they've built something for me and my partner for 2k when the lowest SERIOUS quote after I had posted the project in three different freelancing sites, was 5k.
If you want to get a quote from them, send me the link to the project description(if you don't want to share the project with me, I'll give you their contact details, the team leader speaks english very well). If you want to see their work first before you give out your idea, pm me I'll send you back some of their recent work. Also make sure you've listed every single detail there because any developer you'll end up working with will charge you for the smallest possible change not included in the initial description/features list.

For a custom rental portal (not sure if this is what you want to do), built from scratch with all components included (design, backend, database, etc...) 10,000$ is not that high, not sure why you are so surprised.

If this is to expensive for you, you might want to reconsider your project - after the development is done, you need to have a lot more money left for marketing, user acquisition, etc. - it isn't smart to invest all your money in development, then you are left with a decent website that nobody will visit.

If you contacted multiple companies (that's the impression i got from your posts) and they all quoted so high, it means that your project is really difficult from a technical point of view, rather than all of them are trying to screw you over. Actually, if right now you would meet someone who would quote you 1200$ on the same detailed specifications that you had gotten plenty of 10k-44k bids, i would be very cautious if i were you.