Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have an unusual idea for an online website. I've never been involved in any business idea or venture before so I'm totally starting from scratch. I recently presented my idea to a web designer to ask them to create the site for me. The things I asked be on my website were Stats, FAQ, Blog, Lookup, Domain Registration Service, Store Front and other features that would make my idea viable. Since it is an unusual idea, I don't think the site can be successful without these numerous features.

The issue is cost. I was quoted what I consider to be a price far beyond my budget. In fact, the starting price was $5000. I don't have anywhere near that. Are there other options to creating my site considering my lack of experience in web design? Has anyone out there started on a shoestring that might have some advice? I would not normally have considered this idea for a website but I have found others who are doing similar to what I have in mind and it appears to be working for them. It won't make me rich but I think it would help supplement my income. Please offer your constructive criticism.

Thank you.

my designer can do that for $1,500. He's great.

Steve

do you think he'd give me a quote and some samples of his work?

Of course. Send me your email address and I'll have him contact you. His name is Victor Jory.

Greetings:  I have a contact in my circle of friends and associates who has developed a portal for new and experienced entrepreneurs:   http://www.themallrighthere.com

is owned and operated by none other than  Glen Gibbs a fellow member of a lifelong

association of like minded members in http://www.ceospace.net Hope you can email me and we can offer other helpful ideas.  regards,  bob chew

spongebob_chew   is my handle here.    email me:  abcbob@gmail.com

Hello,

You can Google and easily find loads of graphic design and web design companies online offering you range of services. The prices also vary accordingly but I assure you that if you keep your search specific and relevant then you will find your desired company.

Before you finalize your deal, do check out their work samples to be sure of work quality.

I went to the “Yahoo Small Business” web site and used their preformatted web design tools.  There are other sites as well.  Also, try Google search “Web Site Software.”

Hey blubeacon, in addition to the great advice above, there are also a few ways you can get started.

Starting off...  a lot of good hosting companies have out of the box software that can get you up and running with one-click services.

When looking for hosting look for a reasonable price around $10-$20 per month.  I've used MediaTemple.net and their great for hosting. 

Stats - If you you are looking for visitor stats, use Google Analytics. It's free.
FAQ - Find tutorials on HTML basics and write it yourself.  1-2 days and you can be up an coding your own pages.
Blog - Typically hosting companies will have one-click installs like the hosting company i mentioned above - they use WordPress.
Domain Registration Service - GoDaddy is great. Unless you don't know how to manage domains, i would leave it up to the hosting company to help out.
Store Front - Again tons of ways to do this.  Yahoo has a great service you can plug into.

As for finding work to put it all together, if you a go-getter do it all yourself. If you don't have time i suggest Googling Freelance Web Developers.  

Advice: Most "Web Designers" won't know that much coding but awesome at designing.  Most "Web Developers" won't know much designing but great at HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a Server-Side language like PHP or .NET.

If your budget is really tight, I would suggest outsourcing.   oDesk.com is great for SEO, Web Dev, Writing, etc.

If you need a logo or web site template designed on the cheap, go to 99designs.com

Last piece of advice, whatever you do get a Fixed Price not hourly for any work done.

Hope this helps!