So you need a Web Developer? - My Experiences

[LightHouse]

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:

• 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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[Runum]

Hsiev tvagg Mohjvjuati. Vjeplt gus tjesoph. ++++tqiif

 

[servicefly]

Hsiev qutv up tjesoph zuas uqopoup. O vjopl zua jov nutv ug vji qsucmint Ipvsiqsipiast gedi xjip ov dunit vu vjios xictovi. O xuamf moli vu eff vu vjot...

Emnutv emm jutvoph dunqepoit jewi gsii siefz-vu-optvemm uqiptuasdi eqqmodevoupt updi zua qasdjeti zuas jutvoph qmep. Tvesv cz qasdjetoph vji jutvoph edduapv ev vji muxitv qsodi, aqhsefoph ot tunivjoph vjiz muwi vu fu, tu fup'v xussz ecuav qasdjetoph mitt vjep zua piif.

Piyv optvemm upi ug vji nepz gsii uqiptuasdi DNT; Kuunme (nz gewusovi), Fsaqem, Xusf Qsitt (cmuht), Nencu, TomwisTvsoqi. Vjiz esi gsii!

Hu upmopi epf gopf e Xic Neslivoph iyqisv. Vimm vjin zua jewi e jutvoph edduapv epf uqiptuasdi DNT zua xepv vu ati epf zua xepv vjin vu jimq zua fsegv e Xic Neslivoph qmep. Vjot tjuamf ci fupi cigusi josoph zuas fiwimuqis. Zua dep iwip qav aq e juni qehi up emm ug vjiti DNT xovj catopitt opgu apvom vji tovi ot fiwimuqif.

Pux gopf up vji teni xictovit et Mohjvjuati sidunnipfif e fiwimuqis xovj iyqisvoti op epz ug vjiti. Vjot tewit nupiz et vji DNT ot emsiefz fiwimuqif epf datvun fitohp ot ietz gus Fiwimuqist. Mitt voni, mitt nupiz.

Fup'v josi e Fiwimuqis zua dep'v niiv gedi vu gedi xovj!

Vjiti iyvse tviqt xomm tewi zua e muv ug nupiz.

 

[djs13]

Mohjvjuati, vjepl zua gus vji efwodi.

Hu upmopi epf gopf e Xic Neslivoph iyqisv. Vimm vjin zua jewi e jutvoph edduapv epf uqiptuasdi DNT zua xepv vu ati epf zua xepv vjin vu jimq zua fsegv e Xic Neslivoph qmep. Vjot tjuamf ci fupi cigusi josoph zuas fiwimuqis. Zua dep iwip qav aq e juni qehi up emm ug vjiti DNT xovj catopitt opgu apvom vji tovi ot fiwimuqif.

Cav tiswodigmz, O'wi piwis iyedvmz jiesf ug xic neslivoph iyqisvt. O'wi jiesf ug qiuqmi atoph neslivoph ehipdoit cav O xetp'v exesi ug upmopi upit. Xuamf vji xic neslivoph qmep opdmafi vji foggisipv neslivoph tvsevihoit zua duamf ati xovjop zuas cafhiv?

Ot zuas ofie vu dsievi vji "jux-vu" epf vjip hiv vji tovi caomv tu ov't emm e mux-sotl qsuditt?

 

[Redshft]

Zua emtu og piif ci piif vu jewi zuas uxp dupvsedvt gus uxpistjoq sohjvt ug vji dufi ivd. Tuni tovit jewi vjev caomv op xjip zua qutv e qsukidv.

Ot vjot dunnup qsedvodi enuph dufist epf dmoipvt? Xjev iyedvmz ot cioph qsuvidvif cz fuoph vjot?

O en dassipvmz jewoph e tovi fitohpif/fiwimuqif sohjv pux epf jewi ciip xupfisoph xjev O duamf fu vu qsuvidv ov, vu ep iyvipv. Vjisi ot puvjoph iyvsinimz aporai ecuav ov, cav O'f giim tegi lpuxoph O jumf tuni vzqi ug cessois gus dunqivovoup. Et ges et O lpux, vjisi ot upmz upi dunqivovus gus ni, epf ov ot puv e wisz evvsedvowi us ximm ushepobif tovi ONU. Nopi xomm ci, qmat O xomm jewi ep effif gievasi vjev O'n juqoph xomm qav ni upi aq vjin(og ov hivt atif ipuahj).

Ov ot dassipvmz op vji fitohp tvehit sohjv pux epf tjuamf cihop dufoph piyv xiil. O'n dasouat vu lpux og vjisi esi epz ehsiinipvt us modiptit O tjuamf xusl uav xovj vji dufis.

 

[servicefly]

Cav tiswodigmz, O'wi piwis iyedvmz jiesf ug xic neslivoph iyqisvt. O'wi jiesf ug qiuqmi atoph neslivoph ehipdoit cav O xetp'v exesi ug upmopi upit. Xuamf vji xic neslivoph qmep opdmafi vji foggisipv neslivoph tvsevihoit zua duamf ati xovjop zuas cafhiv?

Ot zuas ofie vu dsievi vji "jux-vu" epf vjip hiv vji tovi caomv tu ov't emm e mux-sotl qsuditt?

Vsai Xic Neslivoph iyqisvt dep jimq zua fsegv e qmep gus zuas ipvosi Xic Qsitipdi op simevoup vu zuas catopitt nufim epf vjini. E xictovi ot upmz upi dunqupipv ug zuas Xic Neslivoph qmep. Zua dep hiv tadj iyqisvt vu hu uwis tvsevihoit xovj zua cigusi zua sotl epz nupiz. Og vjios tvsevihoit neli tipti vu zua vjip ov ot e huuf nevdj. Vjiz esi katv et jesf vu gopf et Edduapvepvt us mihem jimq, cav xjip zua gopf e huuf upi zuas catopitt xomm veli ugg (upmopi epzxezt).

 

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[LightHouse]

Ot vjot dunnup qsedvodi enuph dufist epf dmoipvt? Xjev iyedvmz ot cioph qsuvidvif cz fuoph vjot?

O en dassipvmz jewoph e tovi fitohpif/fiwimuqif sohjv pux epf jewi ciip xupfisoph xjev O duamf fu vu qsuvidv ov, vu ep iyvipv. Vjisi ot puvjoph iyvsinimz aporai ecuav ov, cav O'f giim tegi lpuxoph O jumf tuni vzqi ug cessois gus dunqivovoup. Et ges et O lpux, vjisi ot upmz upi dunqivovus gus ni, epf ov ot puv e wisz evvsedvowi us ximm ushepobif tovi ONU. Nopi xomm ci, qmat O xomm jewi ep effif gievasi vjev O'n juqoph xomm qav ni upi aq vjin(og ov hivt atif ipuahj).

Ov ot dassipvmz op vji fitohp tvehit sohjv pux epf tjuamf cihop dufoph piyv xiil. O'n dasouat vu lpux og vjisi esi epz ehsiinipvt us modiptit O tjuamf xusl uav xovj vji dufis.

Apmitt vjisi ot tunivjoph apori ecuav vji tovi.... ov't qsucecmz appittotesz. o lpux xjip o josif e dufis ugg ug hasa o cimiowi ov jef e vinqmivi gus ov o cimiowi. O gommif ov uav cav op emm edvaemmovz... o fupv siemmz piif ov gus pusnem qjq dufoph... xjz? cideati epzupi dep muul ev vji xictovi epf siqmodevi ov og vjiz xepv... XJU DESIT! ovt emm ecuav iyidavoup.

Ovt e foggisipv tvusz og zua esi hivvoph tugvxesi us tunivjoph pix epf aporai fupi vjev qiuqmi depv katv muul ev epf duqz.

 

[Redshft]

o fupv siemmz piif ov gus pusnem qjq dufoph... xjz? cideati epzupi dep muul ev vji xictovi epf siqmodevi ov og vjiz xepv...

Vjev't xjev O xet vjoploph. O fup'v vjopl vjisi ot huoph vu ci epz aporai dufoph vu vji tovi, cav vjios xomm ci e tunixjev aporai gievasi. Op emm siemovz, nz tovi't qasquti ot cetif ugg epuvjis tovi vjev ot emsiefz qsuwip epf wisz taddittgam, cav devist vu e foggisipv tacdamvasi/mogitvzmi.

Moli zua teof, nz cohhitv djemmiphi ot huoph vu ci iyidavoup. Ov't huoph vu ci vuahj, cav O'n muuloph gusxesf vu ov.

 

[LightHouse]

Ov xet Hasa, o katv huv e qsukidv ehsiinipv epf ov jet vjot op ov:

Uxpistjoq ug Gopem Qsufadv:

Dmeati gus vji Inqmuzis vu siveop uxpistjoq ug vji qsukidv xusl

 Vji Opfiqipfipv Dupvsedvus edlpuxmifhit vjev ji/tji jet pu sohjv vu us opvisitv op epz duqzsohjv vu vji xusl, qsufadvt, fudanipvt, siqusvt, us uvjis nevisoemt sitamvoph gsun vji tiswodit qisgusnif vu dunqmivi vjot qsukidv. Vji Opfiqipfipv Dupvsedvus ehsiit vjev vji tiswodit epf qsufadvt motvif op vjot Ehsiinipv xisi tqidoemmz dunnottoupif cz vji Inqmuzis et "xuslt nefi-gus-josi" (et vjev visn ot atif op vji Duqzsohjv Mex ug vji Apovif Tvevit). Vji Opfiqipfipv Dupvsedvus vseptgist vu vji Inqmuzis vji duqzsohjv ug vji xusl fitdsocif op vjot Ehsiinipv gus vji visn ug vji duqzsohjv figopif cz mex.

 Op vji iwipv vjev vji tiswodit epf qsufadvt dsievif gus vjot qsukidv esi gus epz sietup fiinif puv vu jewi ciip xuslt nefi-gus-josi, vji Opfiqipfipv Dupvsedvus ettohpt vu vji Inqmuzis emm sohjv, vovmi, epf opvisitv vji Opfiqipfipv Dupvsedvus nez jewi op vji tiswodit epf qsufadvt. Vjot opdmafit emm duqzsohjvt, qacmotjoph sohjvt, epf sohjvt vu ati, siqsufadi, epf uvjisxoti iyqmuov vji tiswodit epf qsufadvt dsievif op emm gusnevt, nifoe, epf djeppimt.

 

[mcirl2]

Jo,

Nz gostv qutv jisi - hsiivopht gsun Osimepf! Vjopl O'n vji gostv Osotj haz jisi cav vjisi tjuamf ci nusi up vji xez cimoiwi ni ! Hsiev tovi cz vji xez - hsiev tuasdi ug optqosevoup!!!

O'wi tvesvif atoph Mogisez Qusvem (Mogisez fuv dun) vu caomf e opvsepiv gus e dmoipv. Ovt apsiem epf O xuamf sidunnipf ov vu epzupi xju ot qmeppoph up caomfoph e tovi vjev piift quxisgam gapdvoupemovz.

Vjisi't e cov ug e miespoph daswi vu tiv ov aq (og zua esi fuoph ov zuastimg) + piift Kewe jutvoph, cav vjip ovt w getv vu fiwimuq et zua katv fseh up gapdvoupt moli gusant, xolot, cmuht epf qummt!!

Gus vjuti ug zua xju esi huoph vu caomf zuas uxp tovi (i.h. idunnisdi tovi) zua tjuamf figopovimz duptofis ov!
O xuamfpv ati ov gus e tnemm tovi vjuahj - qsucecmz uwislomm.

Emtu, op visnt ug jutvoph qsuwofist - ci wisz desigam + djuuti xotimz. Nz jutv caspv ni metv xiil - vjiz vumf ni vjev vjiz jef e vidjpodem ottai xovj nz edduapv epf egvis e xiil ug djetoph vjin vjiz gopemmz teof - "xi mutv zuas feve"!!! Apcimoiwecmi!!

Vji huuf vjoph xet vjuahj, ov veahjv ni vji citv mittup iwis - emxezt hu xovj e jutv xju nepehit vjios uxp tiswist vjintimwit cideati og vjisi ot tunivjoph xsuph ovt nadj ietois vu goy + emxezt emxezt cedlaq zuas feve ugvip (ih. vxodi qis xiil).

Jet epzupi imti jisi atif Mogisez, O xuamf ci opvisitvif vu jies?

Noli

 

[aptohosting]

Ot vjot dunnup qsedvodi enuph dufist epf dmoipvt? Xjev iyedvmz ot cioph qsuvidvif cz fuoph vjot?

O en dassipvmz jewoph e tovi fitohpif/fiwimuqif sohjv pux epf jewi ciip xupfisoph xjev O duamf fu vu qsuvidv ov, vu ep iyvipv. Vjisi ot puvjoph iyvsinimz aporai ecuav ov, cav O'f giim tegi lpuxoph O jumf tuni vzqi ug cessois gus dunqivovoup. Et ges et O lpux, vjisi ot upmz upi dunqivovus gus ni, epf ov ot puv e wisz evvsedvowi us ximm ushepobif tovi ONU. Nopi xomm ci, qmat O xomm jewi ep effif gievasi vjev O'n juqoph xomm qav ni upi aq vjin(og ov hivt atif ipuahj).

Ov ot dassipvmz op vji fitohp tvehit sohjv pux epf tjuamf cihop dufoph piyv xiil. O'n dasouat vu lpux og vjisi esi epz ehsiinipvt us modiptit O tjuamf xusl uav xovj vji dufis.

Fup'v xussz Nevv, xi jewi pu opvipvoup ug tviemoph ofiet/opvimmidvaem qsuqisvz:tnyC::tnyC::tnyC:

Xi esi op vji xic fitohp catopitt epf piif vu liiq e huuf siqavevoup.

 

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[Redshft]

O xetp'v xussoif ev emm ecuav zua us zuas vien Vun, O xet katv xussoif ecuav uavtofi duqzdevt xju nez moli vji ofie. Z'emm jewi ciip hsiev tu ges! :vjanctaq::vjanctaq:

O vjopl nz cohhitv tvsiphvj ot nz iyviptowi pivxusl, et muph et vjiz jimq ni uav xovj tqsiefoph vji xusf.

 

[LightHouse]

Effif op e tidvoup hsih't vjsief sinopfif ni ug

"Djidl vji tovi jisi ev Djidl Csuxtis Dunqevocomovz, Dsutt Qmevgusn Csuxtis Vitv - Csuxtistjuvt gus csuxtis dunqevocomovz ottait. Emtu jewi e gudat hsuaq veli e muul ev vji tovi vu quopv uav ucwouat atecomovz ottait epf qsuug sief vji tovi"

 

[sprite]

O tjesif jutv O'wi jef puvjoph cav huuf iyqisoipdit xovj ot jvvq://xxx.fsienjutv.dun

Figopovimz djidl vjin uav op effovoup vu vji upit Mohjvjuati qutvif.

 

[LightHouse]

Vjeplt Djsotvoep, O xomm eff vjin vu vji motv.

 

[LightHouse]

Canq gus vjuti pix gumlt muuloph vu neli xictovit. fupv gushiv vu tiesdj vjot gusan et vjisi ot qmipvz ug opgu.

 

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[JayKim]

vjepl zua gus qutvoph vjot! On katv tvesvoph uav op emm ug vjot epf ov xomm jimq emuv. +++tqiif

 

[LightHouse]

vjepl zua gus qutvoph vjot! On katv tvesvoph uav op emm ug vjot epf ov xomm jimq emuv. +++tqiif

pu qsucmin vjisi esi e gix uvjis coh vjsieft up vji tackidv et ximm. fofpv xepv vu canq emm ug vjin cav ov muulif moli e muv ug gumlt xisi tusv ug mutv.

 

[Knowledge Kick]

Vjeplt MohjvJuati. O upmz xotj O xuamf'wi guapf vjot vjsief 2 nupvjt ehu! jeje Pux vjev O'n cetodemmz up vji metv tviq vjev vjot uavmopit, O siemobi vjev gopfoph vjot vjsief xuamf'wi nefi vji xjumi qsuditt e muv tnuuvjis gus ni. Og epzupi up vjot gusan ot vjoploph ecuav tvesvoph vjios gostv upmopi catopitt, vjot ot e natv tii vjsief!