Your opinions matter to me!!!

Hello everyone, it's the new girl again! I have started a few threads asking general questions and have gotten some helpful responses. However, I only get bits and pieces from whoever is willing to help a little bit. Anyway, I put up a posting on craigslist to help me find a web developer/designer to assist me in my project from front to back. I have gotten at least 50 responses from a variety of different people with different experience and still receiving emails. I want to build a community site (doesn't have to be from scratch) but customized that includes but not limited to:
-a forum
-allow members to sign up or sign in
-an area where my guest can compete in different contest
-different areas where I can discuss topics of my choice
-a section to where the guests can print quizzes and different things
-a place where my guest can create or join a bookclub
I also want it to be a social site that is more infrmational than just an ordinary membership site. Like cafemom.com
What should I look for in a developer or websigner?
I realize that I have to raise my budget because this is a very time consuming and detail oriented project. I've been quoted from $300.00-$5000.00. I am definitely willing to pay to get what I need but what exactly do I need for this, as this will help me differentiate between developers and save some money for unneccessay expenses.
Thank you, sorry so long but looking forward to your responses
The New Girl





Last edited by Thenewgirl : 12-12-2008 at 03:30 PM.
Reason: More information

It does sound though if a private forum might just accomplish everything you want in one way or another ?
Can just get a nice design/skin and perhaps a few mods installed. Would cost a lot less than $5k.





__________________█ Fly High Ltd - Uk Shared Hosting - Private Label Resellers - Managed

Quote:



Originally Posted by FHH - Tim


It does sound though if a private forum might just accomplish everything you want in one way or another ?
Can just get a nice design/skin and perhaps a few mods installed. Would cost a lot less than $5k.


But with a forum my guest would not be able to submit pictures for a contest or have an online journal etc; I've thought of that but want to offer more. But thank you for responding

Quote:



Originally Posted by Thenewgirl


I also want it to be a social site that is more infrmational than just an ordinary membership site. Like cafemom.com.
The New Girl


Wow. cafemom is a great site. The best in finding a developer what will work with you to publish your site. Please let me know when it's online.





__________________▓ Hostirian (314) 216-7148Premier Colocation - Dedicated Servers▓ 24-7-365 NOC Tech Support sales@hostirian.com

Quote:



Originally Posted by SteveBloemer


Wow. cafemom is a great site. The best in finding a developer what will work with you to publish your site. Please let me know when it's online.


Will do! Thank you

Quote:



Originally Posted by Thenewgirl




What should I look for in a developer or websigner?


Well I think you need to ask the developer or designer to state what their solution is to your needs along with quote/timeframe. Look for experience, maybe someone that has done this type of custom site before because they may have the scripts already. Definately don't take the low quotes, but something in the middle, more like 3K to get started. You can also do this project in phases and have them do the first phase with a lower price and then if they know what they are doing go along with the second and third phases, that way your not stuck in something that takes all of your money at once.

Quote:



Originally Posted by Thenewgirl


But with a forum my guest would not be able to submit pictures for a contest or have an online journal etc; ...


If you want something out-of-the-box, I'm sure that vBulletin would meet your needs.





__________________
A brand isn't what the company says it is. It's what the customer says it is.Have a community? Have questions?
"There is no best host. There is only the host that's best for you."

I personally think this can all be forum - based and won't need much custom work, except for a more elegant solution for the quiz section with special print - ready pages, etc.





__________________
PeerLevel = PERFORMANCE Web Hosting - Zero Overselling PolicySupport | Service | Excellence

Quote:



Originally Posted by SoftWareRevue


If you want something out-of-the-box, I'm sure that vBulletin would meet your needs.


I'll second that. vBulletin is an excellent product.
-mike





__________________Limestone Networks - Dedicated Server Hosting
Premium Network - 24/7/365 Support - Dual Intel Xeon Servers Now Available
Dallas Datacenter - Fully Routed Backend Networkhttp://www.limestonenetworks.com 1-877-586-0555

I'm pretty sure that forum software like vBulletin or PHPBB allow you to change the settings so guests can have privileges just the same as registered users.

vbulletin might work but you would need some developers to modify if for the 'bookclub' and 'quizzes' thing.
Rest the community forums and discussions etc can be accomplished easily through that software.
BTW, if you're looking at something like cafemom, then hire 2 designers and 2-3 developers and grill them till they scream. It can be done but does require a budget

Quote:



Originally Posted by Mike - Limestone


I'll second that. vBulletin is an excellent product.
-mike


Me too. Just get a vBulletin license and a few designers and coders to modify it.