Website Development

kazmrczk · Mar 1, 2012

Hello all,

This is my first post, just finishing up the book.

So, I have an idea for a company that I want to build, but I have no programming skills. I'm good with computers and feel I could learn. The problem is figuring out where to begin.

There are so many books out there that are about different kinds of programming that i'm not sure what to do. Can any of you on here that already have a good base in programming direct me to a good book to get me started.

I can see all the steps I need to take and I've already designed the entire site on paper, I just need the know-how to get it to reality. If a book isn't the best way to go, I'm open for any suggestions!

Thank you, and I look forward to getting to know you.

Kurt

The-J · Mar 1, 2012

This is probably the biggest problem Web entrepreneurs face in the beginning, myself included. I'll tell you my own planning route for this.

First, figure out what you will NEED for your site. Will you be selling something? Is it purely content-based? Will people need to register to your site?

Second, how do you want the site to look? Is it something you can find in a WordPress layout, or will it be more specific?

Third, how pressing is your idea? Is it an idea that you just want to execute on or are you still running through ideas? If so, hire some help. Programmers are not very expensive: check elance.com or even fiverr.com (among other sites) for designers and programmers.

Some people decide to learn programming so they can make a little money on the side. Others just want to launch. As for me, I'm a little bit more impatient.

kazmrczk · Mar 1, 2012

Thanks for tips!

I can't use wordpress layouts. I've already considered that.

So far, I have a good idea of what i'm going to need, I just don't know how to do it yet. I will need to have the ability for people to register, the will need to have a password before they can register.

I have thought about hiring out the programming, however, I want control. At least at the beginning, I want to know how everything works. Plus I don't really have a budget to hire it out. Once I get the initial stage up and running it should generate cashflow that I can use to then hire programmers for expansion. After that I'd like to know enough about programming to handle issues that may arise. I don't forsee much in the way of ongoing programming need. I do have several ideas of where it could go, but for right now I just want to be able to program the initial start up.

The other thing is that I want to protect this idea, in addition to programming info, any idea on how to protect the idea. My problem is once the idea is out there, I don't know how I could keep others from coming in and doing it.

Simon Ashari · Mar 1, 2012

Hi Kurt.

Are you looking to create a membership site (looks like it).

If so, wordpress can cover it.

In general I wouldn't be so concerned about people knowing about your idea (although I respect your decision not to mention it here). Most of the success comes in the execution of the idea (as you have read in the millionaire fast lane).

If you're not hiring a programmer just because you're afraid of them stealing your idea then you really are disadvantaging yourself.

btw a few other good sites are rentacoder.com and odesk.com among the few mentioned above.

-Simon

kazmrczk · Mar 1, 2012

Hmm, I'll have to go back and look at wordpress again. The site i'm looking to make isn't going to be a blog though. I thought all wordpress has was blogs.

I'll check into the coding. Again, the primary issue is cost, however, if it's cheap enough and can save time then all the better.

Thrive · Mar 1, 2012

Yes, Simon is right. There is a plugin for wordpress that make your site a membership site, called s2Member. It has lots of options from subscriptions, Paypal, restricted pages to user management. You can get a free version and there is a paid version that has more capabilities. Hope this helps.

James Fake · Mar 1, 2012

You may find this blog I wrote helpful: How I Learned Enough Ruby On Rails In 12 Weeks To Launch Freelancify

You may also want to scroll through the comments as many, many great questions were asked.

bmarone · Mar 1, 2012

If it's a book you are looking for and you want to learn programming for yourself, which is pretty much the path I'm taking, then I HIGHLY recommend reading Sams Teach Yourself HTML and CSS in 24 hours. The book does an awesome job at really breaking down the how to of basic programming languages (html, css, and javascript). On the knowledge attained from reading that book alone, you could probably create quite an advanced website, suiting whatever ideas you may have.

cliqflip · Mar 1, 2012

college kids are always down to join startups for equity

also attend a startup weekend - where developers, artists, and business people come together and make a business in 54 hours

mlangley · Mar 1, 2012

Wordpress is where it's at, you can be up and running in no time. It's not just for blogging, there are plugins (add-ons) free and paid that can make your Wordpress site do basically anything you need it to do.

It's pretty easy to manage a site with no coding experience at all and it's a great way to get some coding experience if you want to dig into it. Whatever framework you go with... pretty much everything out there is well documented, so if you've got the time and patience, you can build anything you need.

...Or you could always outsource it.

Simon Ashari · Mar 1, 2012

Wordpress is definitely where it's at for now.

By the sounds of things, that is how you should go. Nothing stopping you from learning coding as you go along if that's what you wish (but you shouldn't delay taking action on the good idea you have).

Good luck.

-Simon

joona · Mar 7, 2012

I completely agree with Simon. Just get started with Wordpress, test your idea and build your coding skillset at the same time.

That is exactly what I am doing too

aarongarn · Mar 7, 2012

"lynda.com" is a good training resource. I taught myself several different apps, html, css, etc. Check it out

Simon Ashari · Mar 8, 2012

Exactly. It's the great thing about wordpress.

You can have a website straight away and also mess about with the coding of that site as you go along. Also plenty of online tutorials on the subject (including youtube videos).

-Simon

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