Need To Have Websits Built

[randyksf]

I am looking to get two websites built.

Here is the problem. I know enough to build a basic site, I could spend time working on it but I would rather get one built and then I maintain and modify it. I have little creative abilities and my prototypes look poor to say the best.

Site one)

Here Technical requirements:

1) I would like both to be have PHP as the engine so I can add modules as needed.

2) Should be light for Dial up connections.

3) Site will have extensive Photo albums. (Would like to have the templates built in Photoshop) Or a PHP module.

4) Product review pages with photos and or QuickTime .

5) Bulletin board or forum page

6) Links pages

7) Site search engine.

8) User logon.

Eventually I will be charging for some of the information provided.

Site two)

Same as site one but with different graphics, this will be more of an ECommerce site. Only a few products for now but will grow.

Both sites I need someone who has some creative skills both sites should be graphically pleasing however both have different directions. Some English from the programmer would be great, however I have translator who can help us out. He knows what I am going for.

Like I sated it should be built so that anyone can maintain it.

Any Idea or recommendations would be great.. Also what are the going baht per hour rate for this type of work.

Thanks all.

[phuket Mike]

I might be able to help you a bit..

First of all I assume when you say a PHP Engine you mean one of the PHP Content Management Systems/Portals like PHPNuke etc. These are ready to run web sites written in PHP and usually accessing a database such as Mysql to store content.

So the first thing you need is a hosting company that gives you PHP 4 and Mysql. From what I have seen Thai hosting companies tend to charge extra for Mysql where as US or UK based ones offer a couple of databases for free. The hosting all depends on where the majority of traffic is coming from. Also some hosting company offer some of the PHP Portals as options from a control panel so all you do click on them and they are installed on your site. This option is also available for Forums, Shopping Carts, Galleries etc.

You will then have to decide on which PHP Portal you are going to use because there are a lot of them, take a look at Hotscripts

Some of these Portal sites also offer support , even customization and of course the are modules that do just about anything. They all come with strong admin interefaces so modification is easy and also different skins so the overall appearance can be easily changed.

So what are the drawbacks ? The obvious one is that lots of people are using them for their sites so they all tend to look the same. Also the PHP code is very advanced in some of them so if you want some 'outside the box' mods you will need a skilled PHP developer. Having said that there is a huge community of developers out there and so just about every change you could possibly want has been done.

In terms of finding someone in Thailand that can help you implement one of these systems that could be a bit more difficult. If you are in BKK there are probably good PHP skills there, in other areas they are few and far between. As most of the programming has already been done for you, it would probably be easier to find someone to do the graphics work and then just add them to the system.

If you use something like PHPNuke the user/developer community is massive and there plenty of people that will help you via the web.

If your looking for a hosting company outside of Thailand take a look at

Free Page Hosting

They will give you free webspace if you register a domain with them, they support PHP and Mysql and have Control Panel system that will install a number of different PHP scripts automatically.

Good Luck

phuket Mike

[randyksf]

Mike

You hit the nail on the head, I was thinking of using Postnuke as a content mgr. I actually downloaded it and played with it. However the to make the site look good, and function correctly would take months of experimentation. With a huge risk of having to do it all over if I build the core database wrong.

I do have a hosting company back in the states with mysql. Great company, I have used them for years with other sites. Most of the users will be based out of the states to having it hosted there is ideal.

I also agree most to the sites look the same. I am willing to lose a little originality for functionality.

Using a content mgr such as Postnuke. Can you create the themes or skins of the site? Using your own graphics? Or are you limited to creating the skins that look so common?

Thanks so much for the information and links

[El_D]

Hey Phuket Mike,

Are you available for any freelance work?

I'm yanking my hair out right now. I have the online store set up, complete with merchant account that (FINALLY) works and integrates with my store.

The Austrian bloke who did it for me has disappeared and I got off with paying him a mere 1,000 baht (this in Pattaya). I've emailed him numerous times, sent several SMS's and left voice mail, but get no response.

I've also dropped a few baht at the bookstores, but my talent is in marketing and I have enough grey hairs at 36 to last me from now on.

I have my text content "ready". Of course it needs tweaking, but that's easily done in MS Word.

I just need the site to look professional and have an easy navigation structure.

Can you help?

I can pay via Paypal or via Thai Post with a check or money order (in USD if you require that).

El D