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In Need of Web Design Advice

by Tim Brendel
2 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
Hey warriors,

I'm am working on getting my first large account which happens to be a hotel/casino. They want a new website that has the ability to book rooms online, apply for open jobs, and they would like a virtual tour of the location.

I have built several websites (html, php, wordpress) but nothing ever like what they want. I want to know if this is a task that I should attempt to take on myself, or if I should outsource it.

Has anyone ever had a request like this? What should I charge them? What range of money would it cost to have this job outsourced?

Any hep and advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
#advice #design #web
  • Profile picture of the author pbarnhart
    I've built and worked on teams that build enterprise-level sites like the one you're contemplating (thestreet.com, ivillage, iwon - back in 'the day')

    And you would be insane to attempt to code it from scratch.

    First - you need an iron-clad statement of work - and I charge for just that! A design document, workflow requirements etc.

    Second - they need to accept that what they need is not a "web site" that does everything from taking reservations to cleaning out the pool, but a couple of highly-functional, robust, independent web applications. Keep the HR and organizational stuff separate. There is no cost savings by trying to shove them into the same code.

    Finally - check out software already available for adapting to your client. I am a programmer by trade - and nothing makes me want to throw up a new server, crack my MVC coding knuckles and start building controllers like a big project for clients with money!! But what you are looking for is a 'solved problem' and you cannot code it cheaper than you can buy it. All the little gnats and one-offs will bite you and eliminate any possibility of profit.

    Look at packages like BugHotel (built for Joomla) , RezStream, and Playno (built for Drupal)

    And find yourself a programmer to team up with that has already implemented a system on the platform you select. A project like this is rife with scope- creep!

    I would look at - $25,000 to $40,000 without the HR stuff.
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    • Profile picture of the author bgmacaw
      I agree with what pbarnhart said although I think his figure of $40,000 is a bit on the low side depending on some factors, such as the HR system. Of course, ongoing agreements that would bring in a continued income stream would be the best since it would insure cash flow and help mitigate scope creep.

      I'd also recommend looking at Microsoft Sharepoint in addition to the other packages, especially if they're already a full Microsoft shop. This can give them an external and internal facing application platform that's quite powerful. The drawback is that the overall cost is rather high.
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