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Ok Many questions popping up about web development. That’s good… means people are working on their plans or working them.
Anyway figured it would be a good time to point out some things I have discovered.
** Remember these are MY experiences and thoughts, they may not apply to everyone**
Places to find FREELANCERS –
www.guru.com
www.elance.com
www.rentacoder.com
www.craigslist.org
www.google.com (be skeptical)
Places to find WEB Development companies –
Fill in plz because I do not know yet 😀
Step 1 –
Know what you are looking for or get had! Much like shopping in the mall and making an impulse buy you can do the same with site development. Research your competition…. The REAL competition (High ranking in SERPS, reported sales/traffic figures, etc) not just someone else you know who is doing the same thing. They may not be getting traffic/conversions so why would you want to mock a site that is not working???
Collect the links of all those for further review and planning.
Step 2 –
Know your budget... then triple it. You are going to get a draft of the site… then realize other things needed or issues, but you won’t be alarmed because you accounted for the money…RIGHT???? YES because you PLANNED ahead!
Don’t know how much it will cost? Search around and/or post the project and you will get a good gauge. Then when you have complete details you can ask for a full break out.
**OPINION ALERT!** Do not ever work with a developer for sweat equity/profit share etc **/OPINION ALERT**
Step 3 –
Hosting, this needs to be figured out and in place by the start of your project development. DO NOT OVER BUY. Let’s be realistic, you don’t need a dedicated server or VPS starting out. You will not have that many visitors right out of the bat. Start slow and outgrow the hosting plans.
Some hosts to RESEARCH off the top of my head:
1and1.com
Godaddy.com
Liquidweb.com
Hostgator.com
Bluehost.com
dreamhost.com
Or find some on www.webhostingforums.com
Unless you are doing big time stuff (which you probably wont be needing this info) you will need a host that supports PHP/MYSQL/ETC
Linux hosting is fine and it’s a bit less expensive at some hosts.
Step 4 –
Ok so you have your site plan drawn out with links if need be, you got a host and a budget. Time to post your project!
Post your project with as many details as possible; if you have a site outline written in another format you can have the developers ask you for it to post to the project boards on the sites. (This helps screen the junk ahead of time as well)
On top of your site requirements (be as detailed as possible, think instructions for a monkey *no offense intended*) you need to ask for:
You also if need be need to have your own contracts for ownership rights of the code etc. Some sites have that built in when you post a project.
NEXT choose a developer. Work the data you have received, if you need more info get it. I personally don’t use overseas developers. Time and language barriers are too much of a hassle.
**Your web developer is not your friend.. Although building a relationship with them is key STICK to your budgets and timelines PERIOD!**
Step 5 –
Manage your project. Some of the freelance sites have things built-in, some don’t. If not possible Google spreadsheets is always available and you will know what was revised if anything you can share it with anyone and best of all its FREE!
Make sure any big portions have their own timeline and implementation schedule. Keep up with them when you can so you can make adjustments as they happen rather than after everything is done.
Check the site here at www.browsershots.org for browser compatibility issues. Also have a focus group take a look at the site to point out obvious usability issues and proof read the site.
PAY ON TIME! This helps with the relationship thing. You expect them to get it done on time they expect you to pay on the terms specified!!!
Step 6 –
Get the site transferred and up and running…. From here on out its advertising and maintenance + future development ETC that is all a separate thread.
Please Keep in mind the above guideline is provided to give you a general outline and are my opinions and experiences, YMMV!
Feel Free to add to this, I will add good info to this main post.
P.S, if any mods find spelling/grammar errors please feel free to correct this post.
Anyway figured it would be a good time to point out some things I have discovered.
** Remember these are MY experiences and thoughts, they may not apply to everyone**
Places to find FREELANCERS –
www.guru.com
www.elance.com
www.rentacoder.com
www.craigslist.org
www.google.com (be skeptical)
Places to find WEB Development companies –
Fill in plz because I do not know yet 😀
Step 1 –
Know what you are looking for or get had! Much like shopping in the mall and making an impulse buy you can do the same with site development. Research your competition…. The REAL competition (High ranking in SERPS, reported sales/traffic figures, etc) not just someone else you know who is doing the same thing. They may not be getting traffic/conversions so why would you want to mock a site that is not working???
Collect the links of all those for further review and planning.
Step 2 –
Know your budget... then triple it. You are going to get a draft of the site… then realize other things needed or issues, but you won’t be alarmed because you accounted for the money…RIGHT???? YES because you PLANNED ahead!
Don’t know how much it will cost? Search around and/or post the project and you will get a good gauge. Then when you have complete details you can ask for a full break out.
**OPINION ALERT!** Do not ever work with a developer for sweat equity/profit share etc **/OPINION ALERT**
Step 3 –
Hosting, this needs to be figured out and in place by the start of your project development. DO NOT OVER BUY. Let’s be realistic, you don’t need a dedicated server or VPS starting out. You will not have that many visitors right out of the bat. Start slow and outgrow the hosting plans.
Some hosts to RESEARCH off the top of my head:
1and1.com
Godaddy.com
Liquidweb.com
Hostgator.com
Bluehost.com
dreamhost.com
Or find some on www.webhostingforums.com
Unless you are doing big time stuff (which you probably wont be needing this info) you will need a host that supports PHP/MYSQL/ETC
Linux hosting is fine and it’s a bit less expensive at some hosts.
Step 4 –
Ok so you have your site plan drawn out with links if need be, you got a host and a budget. Time to post your project!
Post your project with as many details as possible; if you have a site outline written in another format you can have the developers ask you for it to post to the project boards on the sites. (This helps screen the junk ahead of time as well)
On top of your site requirements (be as detailed as possible, think instructions for a monkey *no offense intended*) you need to ask for:
- People References (and actually follow up on them)
- Site references (test them)
- Estimated timeline (you should be defining this in your outline)
- Location(time zone) and contact forms (check them ahead of time to see how they work for you)
- Payment terms (something traceable)
You also if need be need to have your own contracts for ownership rights of the code etc. Some sites have that built in when you post a project.
NEXT choose a developer. Work the data you have received, if you need more info get it. I personally don’t use overseas developers. Time and language barriers are too much of a hassle.
**Your web developer is not your friend.. Although building a relationship with them is key STICK to your budgets and timelines PERIOD!**
Step 5 –
Manage your project. Some of the freelance sites have things built-in, some don’t. If not possible Google spreadsheets is always available and you will know what was revised if anything you can share it with anyone and best of all its FREE!
Make sure any big portions have their own timeline and implementation schedule. Keep up with them when you can so you can make adjustments as they happen rather than after everything is done.
Check the site here at www.browsershots.org for browser compatibility issues. Also have a focus group take a look at the site to point out obvious usability issues and proof read the site.
PAY ON TIME! This helps with the relationship thing. You expect them to get it done on time they expect you to pay on the terms specified!!!
Step 6 –
Get the site transferred and up and running…. From here on out its advertising and maintenance + future development ETC that is all a separate thread.
Please Keep in mind the above guideline is provided to give you a general outline and are my opinions and experiences, YMMV!
Feel Free to add to this, I will add good info to this main post.
P.S, if any mods find spelling/grammar errors please feel free to correct this post.
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