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How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Software Developer For This?

by bert81
22 replies
I have an idea to try and make some extra cash, so I got started looking how I could make it happen. Well, I had no idea HOW I was going to do this, however I became ecstatic when I found a program that fit into my idea perfectly:

ContestBurner.com

Here's the thing though, the price is almost offensive to me. $147 for just ONE domain?!? Holy cow...ridiculous. I have the money, but this is just way more than I would expect to pay for such a program.

So, I'm thinking I'll pay a programmer/software developer to make me a program to do essentially the same thing. Then, I could simply and easily sell this for 1/3 the price. Do a WSO, etc. and make my money back.

How much can I expect to spend for someone to do this for me?

Thank you.
#cost #developer #hire #software
  • Profile picture of the author Keen creations
    Could be cheap but not best quality..who know's but anyways here:
    Hire the Best Freelance Programmers | Elance
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  • Profile picture of the author Claire Sharp
    I would suggest you read books on Software Development before you jump on board. Know what you are getting into before committing. As for the "amount", it depends on someone you hire. You can either approach company to do the work for you or go to Freelancing sites and post the job. As for the rate, you can either put a flat rate on what you want or you can split your rates into number of features that are available for a release.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jake Gray
      Originally Posted by Claire Sharp View Post

      I would suggest you read books on Software Development before you jump on board. Know what you are getting into before committing. As for the "amount", it depends on someone you hire. You can either approach company to do the work for you or go to Freelancing sites and post the job. As for the rate, you can either put a flat rate on what you want or you can split your rates into number of features that are available for a release.
      You have to have the brain for Software Development.

      Sure someone can tell you to read a book or read a paper, but
      you have to have the personal drive in order to complete a coding
      project. Same thing with coding projects for school. I hang out
      on some coding forums and I often see "Help with my programming
      homework.." - Most of the time, those kids don't want to do it or
      simply don't have the brain for it.

      So, Hiring someone may be in your best interest.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ti
    If you have no development experience then I can say 99% likelihood that your project will fail. This is why people without development experience hire project managers.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
    I am a programmer and to take on a project like that and turn the copyright over I would charge $15,000 to $20,000 just to start the project. Then ongoing maintenance and improvement fees for the life of the product.

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  • Profile picture of the author bert81
    15-20 huh?

    Isn't it basically a glorified affiliate program? Actually, not really even glorified. Someone puts their name in, gets a custom link, and sends it to their friends while I track it...

    Maybe we've overcomplicated it a bit.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
      Originally Posted by bert81 View Post

      15-20 huh?

      Isn't it basically a glorified affiliate program? Actually, not really even glorified. Someone puts their name in, gets a custom link, and sends it to their friends while I track it...

      Maybe we've overcomplicated it a bit.
      I based my estimate on reading the page you posted and looking at what it does.

      Now a full blown affiliate program designed from the ground up with all the bells and whistles would be a lot more than that.

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    • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
      Originally Posted by bert81 View Post

      15-20 huh?

      Isn't it basically a glorified affiliate program? Actually, not really even glorified. Someone puts their name in, gets a custom link, and sends it to their friends while I track it...

      Maybe we've overcomplicated it a bit.
      Couple hundred bucks for what you describe. It wouldn't be complicated at all. A good programer should have it done in a day, two at the most.

      Contest Burner sounds like it does more than that though. Can't really tell though as the sales letter is selling the sizzle.

      -g
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      • Profile picture of the author bert81
        Yeah, it does seem quite simple to me too. Thank you for the response.
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        • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
          Originally Posted by bert81 View Post

          Yeah, it does seem quite simple to me too. Thank you for the response.
          Before you even THINK about hiring a programmer you need to sit down and write out a VERY detailed description of exactly what you want the program to do. And when I say detailed I mean DETAILED. That will save you a lot of grief and frustration.

          The more detail you give a programmer the lower overall cost. If a programmer has to read your mind or try to figure out what you want, he is going to charge you more and may possibly read your mind wrong.

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by bert81 View Post

      15-20 huh?

      Isn't it basically a glorified affiliate program? Actually, not really even glorified. Someone puts their name in, gets a custom link, and sends it to their friends while I track it...

      Maybe we've overcomplicated it a bit.
      What the HELL!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT did y0u want to do? First of all, "just an affiliate program" is STUPID! It is hard to do from BOTH sides! They are almost ALWAYS plugins, or packages that HAPPEN to have an affiliate feature! Is AMAZON "just an affiliate program"? Is shopping cart? Is cognigen? Can you name even ONE!?!?!?!?!?!? The CLOSEST is commission junction, and are THEY!? They HAVE to have a backend to tie in, etc....

      As for contest burner, GRANTED, I only SCANNED it, but is IT "just an affiliate program"? NO WAY! It has to keep track of several lists, probably handle double optins, email, and post to several sites, that it has to handle login details for. It ALSO has to mitigate duplicate emails, and scan them for spam.

      It may well break several TOSs, and be problematic.

      To answer your question, there is only ONE person that can tell you how much it costs. That is the FUTURE YOU! NOBODY in their right mind will low ball it, and ONLY queotes from those you hire mean ANYTHING! And there is time, and revisions!

      Maybe you should wait until you REALLY know what you want to do. You clearly do NOT have a decent idea right now.

      BTW, it is NOT simplified! If anything, it is COMPLICATED! To be fair, it would have to monitor SALES from your side! It would HAVE to be a factor! ANYONE can drive traffic, the TRICK is driving SALES! On top of that, it would have to determine other factors you might want, and reward accordingly. HOW could it be "simplified"? It has to handle the SAME two things AMAZONS system(and all others) handles, *****AND***** have a FANCY backend! A FEW, VERY FEW, sites have a backend that is generally PASSIVE! THIS backend is ACTIVE! THAT is where the magic happens!

      I am not saying it is complicated. NONE are! I am simply saying it is INVOLVED! And THAT is where costs can skyrocket! How much? WHO KNOWS!?

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author bert81
    Well, you kind of went the other way on that. I meant that all I would need is something to do what I explained above. I might be able rig it up through a template or site that gives you the option to have an affiliate program in order to carry out my plan.

    I suppose that would be an easier way, and cheaper. It just doesn't seem that big of a thing.

    You put your name in, you get a link that gets tracked. That's it. 15-20 seems like quite a bit to have it made, as does $147 for one domain to just use it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Colin Theriot
    Originally Posted by bert81 View Post

    I have an idea to try and make some extra cash, so I got started looking how I could make it happen. Well, I had no idea HOW I was going to do this, however I became ecstatic when I found a program that fit into my idea perfectly:

    ContestBurner.com

    Here's the thing though, the price is almost offensive to me. $147 for just ONE domain?!? Holy cow...ridiculous. I have the money, but this is just way more than I would expect to pay for such a program.

    So, I'm thinking I'll pay a programmer/software developer to make me a program to do essentially the same thing. Then, I could simply and easily sell this for 1/3 the price. Do a WSO, etc. and make my money back.

    How much can I expect to spend for someone to do this for me?

    Thank you.
    Good luck with that. It's really just a terrible idea though. I would stick with your original idea, and just use ContestBurner.
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    • Profile picture of the author James Hessler
      Interesting post. Whilst you feel this is unrelated, I wanted to build a prop for my show, on the cheap, and set about pulling it all together. In the end and $700 out of pocket with a prop I'll never use, I couldve got something cheaper, and workable had I gone with what was out there and adapt it to my need.
      Contest Burner, I'm sure, ( I have it and will use it on the relaunch of my web based TV show...think Andrew Lock but a magic site)will do what it says on the tin.
      Yes money can be tight at times, but investing in what already works is investing quicker in your success. Having said that, creating an adaptation, with more bells and whistles, although maybe more expensive in the long run, gives you a valuable product that people will purchase.
      And continue to do so, providing one markets it well.

      As said interesting post and thread.

      James
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  • Profile picture of the author aritrim
    IMHO, the person selling it, is using a free version of Flowplayer. The whole website does not look quite professional for a $147 product. And that LONNNGGGGGGG sales letter.....
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  • Profile picture of the author bert81
    Good eye aritrim. Didn't even notice that.

    Also, when I said 'glorified affiliate program', I should have said 'SIMPLIFIED affiliate program'.
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  • Profile picture of the author bert81
    Fair enough, Rob. I appreciate the advice.

    I want a box someone can put their first name in and get a link exclusive for them to promote, i.e. Jack goes to www.xxxx.com, puts in his name and gets www.xxxx.com/Jack. This is the link he sends to his friends. A second 'Jack' could be www.xxxx.com/Jack2.

    And then I need the ability to track these. That's really it. That's also why I'm so dumbfounded over the cost this guy charges for his software for just ONE domain. I could get this program made and sell it for 1/3 the price for unrestricted access.

    I bet it would sell.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
      Originally Posted by bert81 View Post

      Fair enough, Rob. I appreciate the advice.

      I want a box someone can put their first name in and get a link exclusive for them to promote, i.e. Jack goes to www.xxxx.com, puts in his name and gets www.xxxx.com/Jack. This is the link he sends to his friends. A second 'Jack' could be www.xxxx.com/Jack2.

      And then I need the ability to track these. That's really it. That's also why I'm so dumbfounded over the cost this guy charges for his software for just ONE domain. I could get this program made and sell it for 1/3 the price for unrestricted access.

      I bet it would sell.
      Don't take this wrong but I don't think you understand what the program you mentioned does. It auto posts on their facebook page, their twitter account, tracks youtube views. Is multi-tierd, has viral components and more.

      Also you need to let the programmer know what to track, how to track it. How long to track it. What type of stats pages so a person can see how they are doing. How to display overall stats to you. What types of editing functions. Your detailed description would need to be several pages long if not longer.

      In other words make sure you really sit down and plan out every detail first. You will be glad you did.

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  • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
    bert,

    It would be more like:

    Visitor enters "name" into a field to generate referall URLs that will be tracked. e.g. domain.com/name

    If name is take, it will append 1-4 numbers to the end as needed.

    Each time a referall URL is used, it will increase the count by one.

    When the count reaches a number defined in the admin, it will send an email that is dfined in the admin.

    Thats basic but they need each step like that. I have also found it easier for them and understanding if I make a fake layout

    -g
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    • Profile picture of the author bert81
      Thank you for your input, Garrie. I truly do appreciate it. That's basically what I'd need.
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  • Profile picture of the author bert81
    My first impression of this software was a youtube video...I'll see if I can find it again, promoting it by someone explaining that a person basically does what I described above. I knew it had other features too.

    Perhaps I've missed some details that you've pointed out. Thanks.

    Do you know where I might be able to make my idea, something this simple, capable?
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  • Profile picture of the author DancingHamster
    Well, you get what you paid for, just keep that in mind
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