Member Avatar for webecedarian

This is such an embarrassingly vague newbie-type question that I'm not even sure where to post it. The Web Design forum is already broken up into sub-categories, so I thought I'd try here first.

I'm toying with the idea of starting a website. I'm clueless, but I figure most of you are knowledgeable about this kind of thing.

My idea would be for something fairly simple (and cheap!) that would involve a perhaps 3-6 sections for posting notices/ads and a small discussion forum, which of course means an avenue for posters to register. The first thing I'm wondering is how to choose a competent person to set it up. (No, I don't plan to do it myself!) Any idea what's the least I should expect to spend?

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A short practical roadmap for : there are two sensible routes — a hosted site‑builder for a fast, low‑cost launch, or a self‑hosted CMS for more control and growth. The thread already contains both views (easy/cheap vs. “hire a pro”); budget, desired control, and willingness to do maintenance will decide which is right. Plan for a very wide price range until features are nailed down. (business.com)

Hosted builders (no server setup, built‑in SSL/backups/support) get a simple site online quickest; small‑business plans typically sit in the low tens of dollars per month while free tiers exist with limits. They are ideal when deep customization and full ownership of code are not required. (wix.com)

Self‑hosted options (a CMS plus a forum plugin or a standalone forum) give flexibility: a WordPress site with a forum plugin covers most needs, and managed forum services are available if moderation and scale are priorities. Shared hosting can be very inexpensive; managed forum hosting (for example) starts at modest monthly fees but rises if managed services are wanted. Expect a small freelancer to charge hourly rates that vary widely by region; a modest customization/setup project commonly lands in the low hundreds to a few thousand dollars depending on scope. (wordpress.org)

Practical hiring checklist (minimal, to give clear quotes):

  • short requirements doc (pages/sections, forum features, registration rules, ad areas);
  • required deliverables: domain/hosting access, admin logins, backups, documentation, and basic admin training;
  • deployment & security items: SSL, spam protection, update plan;
  • pricing model: fixed price for defined scope or capped hours plus a small maintenance retainer.

If the goal is lowest cost and speed, a hosted builder fits; if long‑term control, search for a developer/agency with relevant portfolio, ask for references, and get 2–3 written quotes. (techradar.com)

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for jwenting

any schoolkid with a pirated version of Frontpage can do it for a few hundred dollars.
A decent professional probably for a few thousand.

Member Avatar for BestJewSinceJC

A few thousand dollars? To set up a website with a few sections and the ability to register? Lol ok.

Member Avatar for jwenting

Sure. Would need a database, proper testing, design work.
All takes time.
At €75 an hour (not an uncommon rate for a professional), 3 days work would be €2000.

That's why I say a well trained professional, rather than some snot nosed kid who can click buttons in Frontpage.

Member Avatar for BestJewSinceJC

^ An exaggeration in terms of how long. Agreed on the professional, obviously, but the OP would be a fool to offer anyone even close to $2000 to do this project.

Member Avatar for jwenting

He wants a "small discussion forum", something for "posting notices/ads", and probably other stuff.
That seems to indicate at least a complete phpNuke and phpBBB installation or something similar.
That requires a mySQL database, some template customisation, graphics design, etc. etc.

I'd think 2-3 days for setting all that up, doing the graphics and CSS to conform to his wishes, testing it all, and teaching him how to administer it (especially the latter, as I assume he won't be buying an extended support contract) is probably optimistic.

Of course if he goes with a cohosted solution where he accepts a standard template and very limited control over LAF, advertising, etc. etc. he'd probably get it cheaper, as he'd just get an out of the box installation rolled out from a stored standard image, but I assume he wants more than that else he could just do a standard installation of those products himself.

Member Avatar for Fazza

I don't know anything about programming in HTML or PHP but I have managed to create my own websites - if you find the right host you can quickly and easily setup forums and blogs quite literally at a touch of a button and it sets up all the required databases for you!

My host (just like many other hosts) uses a piece of software called cPanel which when I log on to my account I can press a button to install Blog software such as Wordpress or B2Evolution and I'm sure I saw a list of forums I could install - all just by clicking on the install button.

The only information I had to type in was a username and password to allow me to log in to it and start work.

Why not find a host that uses cPanel and have a go yourself - it's easier than you'd think!

:)

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