Can anyone recommend a Web-Dev?

[foozball3000]

In a world where everyone just customizes web templates, this might be a little hard to find.

Can anyone recommend a good web-developer? (Or company that's open for *negotiations*)
It's hopefully an ongoing project, but like all startups, there's no surety in that.

Right, so members will be issued with a key to get to members only features, where they can upload photos, post on forums, and interact with other members, ect.
There is some eCommerce to the site, which at the moment is only one product, so there's at least many simple ways to skin that cat.

Something that's really important is that I'm an ideas guy, so I need someone who can negotiate what's possible, what not and suggest alternatives. Most Devs I've worked with are either just "nope" off the bat, or "yes, yes. I can do anything" which is often worse.

So the brand's name is CuteThings (www.cutethings.co.za)

The startup is following the Lean Startup Principle. That's an important thing to note, because it means things will often be hacked together to test an assumption, then later be re-done the proper way.

Any other questions?

 

[Idiosyncratic]

In a world where everyone just customizes web templates, this might be a little hard to find.

Can anyone recommend a good web-developer? (Or company that's open for *negotiations*)
It's hopefully an ongoing project, but like all startups, there's no surety in that.

Right, so members will be issued with a key to get to members only features, where they can upload photos, post on forums, and interact with other members, ect.
There is some eCommerce to the site, which at the moment is only one product, so there's at least many simple ways to skin that cat.

Something that's really important is that I'm an ideas guy, so I need someone who can negotiate what's possible, what not and suggest alternatives. Most Devs I've worked with are either just "nope" off the bat, or "yes, yes. I can do anything" which is often worse.

So the brand's name is CuteThings (www.cutethings.co.za)

The startup is following the Lean Startup Principle. That's an important thing to note, because it means things will often be hacked together to test an assumption, then later be re-done the proper way.

Any other questions?

Wow, how many companies have you contacted...? Sounds like you've had some nasty experiences
It's true, though, it's hard to find good devs. If I wasn't too busy I'd have chatted with you - the thing is, once people know you do a decent job, word goes out! Chat to my host, Web Crew. They might be able to help you. Although, I have a feeling you're gonna be flooded with pms soon!

 

[rorz0r]

I'd be happy to discuss with you what's possible, what's not and alternatives. I don't have capacity to actually do it but happy to advise.

 

[foozball3000]

Wow, how many companies have you contacted...? Sounds like you've had some nasty experiences
It's true, though, it's hard to find good devs. If I wasn't too busy I'd have chatted with you - the thing is, once people know you do a decent job, word goes out! Chat to my host, Web Crew. They might be able to help you. Although, I have a feeling you're gonna be flooded with pms soon!

For this venture, I haven't contacted many yet. But from experience with previous ideas.. anything that's even vaguely "non-standard" gets such a blank stare from the web devs because they can't just plug in a template.
The bad experience spawns from the FLOODS of contacts I received of so many people I won't trust to code a calculator. Finding an actual Web Dev is like finding an actual Photographer these days. Plenty of wanna-be's

So I'm on here first to fine-tune my pitch and avoid the useless ones

I'd be happy to discuss with you what's possible, what's not and alternatives. I don't have capacity to actually do it but happy to advise.

Dude, that will help me so much already.

 

[rward]

Do you have R30 000 to R 50 000 to throw at this for starters?
If your answer is no then that could be problem 1 with the trouble of finding a good web dev.

Cutting to the chase - what kind of budget are you looking at? (This is the how serious are you question)


What you have described above sounds like off the shelf php forums and ecommerce shop on the side.
You could probably use buddypress and woocommerce if you wanted.

 

[foozball3000]

Do you have R30 000 to R 50 000 to throw at this for starters?
If your answer is no then that could be problem 1 with the trouble of finding a good web dev.

Cutting to the chase - what kind of budget are you looking at? (This is the how serious are you question)


What you have described above sounds like off the shelf php forums and ecommerce shop on the side.
You could probably use buddypress and woocommerce if you wanted.

I think you've misunderstood a core concept.
There's no 'complete project'. The lean startup uses something called a Minimal Viable Product.
So the 1st stage will only be what's needed to get the ball rolling, along with what's needed to test for stage 2.

As for how serious I am... I'm serious enough about getting this done that I'm willing to un-retire my programming career if need be. Come hell or high water, this is getting done. But along with product development, admin, marketing, sales, and a lot more other stuff..
I prefer to put the website part of the business in someone capable's hands.

But here's the question about budget, and why I'm avoiding giving a direct answer...
It will probably take only 10-20min to find 5 Web Dev Companies with impressive profiles that will throw even 100k down the drain and leave your business for dead. So budget to me is no means to measure skill or competence.

Which is why I rather find the right person(s) first, and then later worry about how to pay them.
Although it's not the trend when it comes to SA business, I firmly believe in paying the people who support you well.

 

[HavocXphere]

As for how serious I am... I'm serious enough about getting this done that I'm willing to un-retire my programming career if need be. Come hell or high water, this is getting done. But along with product development, admin, marketing, sales, and a lot more other stuff..

This might actually be the best option imo. You're clearly very committed & enthusiastic about your idea but (imo) what the idea is just isn't getting across...so you're at risk of getting a dev that doesn't see your vision & but takes the gig anyway for the paycheque. And that will get you an expensive broken widget. Better to rather do it yourself then imo...struggle a bit with the programming but at least you know vision and execution aligns then.

Perhaps you're keeping it vague to prevent someone from stealing your idea idk.

 

[Tokolotshe]

The startup is following the Lean Startup Principle. That's an important thing to note, because it means things will often be hacked together to test an assumption, then later be re-done the proper way.

Some advice based on managing a community with zero.zero budget.

What you've described sounds like it should initially be handled using a best fit, free open-source software solution and some tinkering, keeping security in mind as priority. Research for a reputable secure solution. Do not deviate too far from the core. We have a myriad of solutions out there. The only difficult part is determining what's secure and what's not.

All too often we see websites pawned and become cannons for spam and phishing. Zone-H has plenty of examples due to bespoke solutions, add-ons or outdated software that could not be maintained. That can destroy your business, especially with POPIA in the background.

My point is a bespoke solution at this stage will take ongoing maintenance (read costs) which will probably grow over time. Using a stable open-source solution, you can monitor for security alerts based upon what you use and can easily retrofit upgrades to your solution. Easy = cheap (possibly do it yourself?). Only once you are going strong and have a stable revenue stream, do you consider a third party developer. Then grow from there.

 

[rward]

I think you've misunderstood a core concept.
There's no 'complete project'. The lean startup uses something called a Minimal Viable Product.
So the 1st stage will only be what's needed to get the ball rolling, along with what's needed to test for stage 2.

I didn't mean to come off "wrong/short" and I fully understand and use MVP.

What I am getting at is that if you want a proper dev then you need proper budget. Running the "I'll get the guy to do the work and figure out how to finance later" doesn't cut it - it starts to fall into the same category as the "I have a great idea and am willing to give a dev 50% of my company to code it for me"


Realistically web devs to the level you are looking at would be able to work a 9 to 5 at R25k to R40k a month. Freelancers generally earn more so you need to be able to match that and more.

Yes, you want MVP, you also want a 'non-template' (custom) solution, it's still going to take a bit of time to get that going, meetings, speccing, design, dev, etc, etc and there's R25k to R40k gone already.



If you're thinking that you can get this done for under R25 000 then you need to leave out the "non-template" piece and as Sollie has said, use off the shelf stuff.


Edit: What I'm getting at is that if you're wanting a decent web developer then you're looking at R600 an hour and up.

 

[foozball3000]

This might actually be the best option imo. You're clearly very committed & enthusiastic about your idea but (imo) what the idea is just isn't getting across...so you're at risk of getting a dev that doesn't see your vision & but takes the gig anyway for the paycheque. And that will get you an expensive broken widget. Better to rather do it yourself then imo...struggle a bit with the programming but at least you know vision and execution aligns then.

Perhaps you're keeping it vague to prevent someone from stealing your idea idk.

That right there is my biggest worry

Some advice based on managing a community with zero.zero budget.

What you've described sounds like it should initially be handled using a best fit, free open-source software solution and some tinkering, keeping security in mind as priority. Research for a reputable secure solution. Do not deviate too far from the core. We have a myriad of solutions out there. The only difficult part is determining what's secure and what's not.

All too often we see websites pawned and become cannons for spam and phishing. Zone-H has plenty of examples due to bespoke solutions, add-ons or outdated software that could not be maintained. That can destroy your business, especially with POPIA in the background.

My point is a bespoke solution at this stage will take ongoing maintenance (read costs) which will probably grow over time. Using a stable open-source solution, you can monitor for security alerts based upon what you use and can easily retrofit upgrades to your solution. Easy = cheap (possibly do it yourself?). Only once you are going strong and have a stable revenue stream, do you consider a third party developer. Then grow from there.

I didn't mean to come off "wrong/short" and I fully understand and use MVP.

What I am getting at is that if you want a proper dev then you need proper budget. Running the "I'll get the guy to do the work and figure out how to finance later" doesn't cut it - it starts to fall into the same category as the "I have a great idea and am willing to give a dev 50% of my company to code it for me"


Realistically web devs to the level you are looking at would be able to work a 9 to 5 at R25k to R40k a month. Freelancers generally earn more so you need to be able to match that and more.

Yes, you want MVP, you also want a 'non-template' (custom) solution, it's still going to take a bit of time to get that going, meetings, speccing, design, dev, etc, etc and there's R25k to R40k gone already.



If you're thinking that you can get this done for under R25 000 then you need to leave out the "non-template" piece and as Sollie has said, use off the shelf stuff.


Edit: What I'm getting at is that if you're wanting a decent web developer then you're looking at R600 an hour and up.

Okay, I see your point. What Sollie said also ties in well with that. (I really did forget that I need to be cautious of security)

So I've spent the better part of the day digesting all of this and re-thinking what the website really needs. It is so easy to convince ourselves that more and more features will make a difference. The only assumption that should matter at this stage is if the product works the way that it's intended. And the website's main function should be to answer that question.

The slimmed down version is:
- Info about product
- Ordering of product
- Members login for those who have a product
- Members online-instruction-booklet and ideas showcase
- Profile to upload photos of what they did with product
- Admin stuff
All the other things can be handled through facebook, instagram and all that jazz.

 

[Tokolotshe]

You could do that with something like phpBB3 and a static page plugin (that doesn't mess with the auth system). MyBB or others are also possible. This will probably help as a starting point:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Internet_forum_software

Made sure you find a way to add http://stopforumspam.com/ to block all those pesky spammers.

Only thing that stands out is "Ordering of product". Online ordering where a user has to provide personal and financial details online, is an issue best left as a redirect to a trusted payment processor.

Add a SSL cert on top of that

If you go with two separate packages and sub domains based upon static vs dynamic content, just watch out to ensure that anything password related is on the sub-domain with the SSL cert. Otherwise use sub-directories with an index page.

Best of luck and all success!

 

[foozball3000]

You could do that with something like phpBB3 and a static page plugin (that doesn't mess with the auth system). MyBB or others are also possible. This will probably help as a starting point:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Internet_forum_software

Made sure you find a way to add http://stopforumspam.com/ to block all those pesky spammers.

Only thing that stands out is "Ordering of product". Online ordering where a user has to provide personal and financial details online, is an issue best left as a redirect to a trusted payment processor.

Add a SSL cert on top of that

If you go with two separate packages and sub domains based upon static vs dynamic content, just watch out to ensure that anything password related is on the sub-domain with the SSL cert. Otherwise use sub-directories with an index page.

Best of luck and all success!

Thank you Sollie.

I'll give it a day or two more to find a web-dev, but it really does look like I'll have to get my hands dirty in code (even if I find one).
In the meanwhile I'll start educating myself on your suggestions.