Looking for Recommendations for a Web Designer
My wife is starting an internet store, and we are looking for someone to design it, and possibly host it (although we can do that through a hosting company). We would appreciate any recommendations that people have.
Thus far, we have spoken with Register.com and while their per month price doesn't seem as dreadful, the $1499 that we would have to pay to remove our site from their service (after having it hosted for 13 months and paying monthly fees) troubles me. Is that standard?
Answers (14)
Brian B
Technical Lead, Business to Business Web Applications at HighBeam Research
Best Answers in: Web Development (4), Small Business (2), Computers and Software (2), Direct Marketing (1), Professional Networking (1), Franchising (1), Starting Up (1), E-Commerce (1)
$1499 to quit Register. That's nuts.
My advice: get someone local that you can meet with. [Sorry, I don't know anyone in the Norfolk market]. You will want to be able to sit down with them and scribble on white boards/mockups together.
We host* sites for customers as an "it is easier this way," but don't be put off if your chosen developer doesn't do their own hosting.
Most companies will charge upfront for setup and design fees with a monthly. Normally there is no back-end fee. Normally e-commerce sites need to be hosted on the firm's servers. There could be other fees such as credit card payemnt gateway and mercahnt account. Some sites can use PayPal quite cost-effectively. The short answer is ... it depends on your needs.
Links:
I'd recommend http://www.ninezerodesign.com/
Hi
What design do you need ? Why don't buy from templatemonsters.com and make some adjustments.
If you want we can do this for you at a small charge.
For hosting we can offer you a place in a datacenter in Romania, but I don think this is the solution if it will be for American customers.
Have a nice day.
Links:
Why they ask you $1499 ? As I know, no host company charge for remove service? If you and your wife are not special web designer. I suggest you using some template online store e.g. Yahoo small business, 1 and 1 Store ... Because the online store is far more complex than only a front end web pages, you also need invoice tracking, CRM ... The most designer will do one for you in a week by an open sourced framework... but you can't anticipate really security or stable from them.
And if you really need simple web page for payment and receive email notice to ship goods. You may like to try iWeb (if you have Mac) or Adobe Contributor with their Payroll component, which provide "word" like web page authoring tools. You have full control on your site rather than find someone to fix PHP code.
Sounds like you are looking at Register.com's 'build it for me' service, no? What you spend in the monthly fees and buy out at the end can get you a nice custom site that is yours. The web designer/developer you are looking for really depends on your needs.And there are many other ways to get online. If you haven't done so already inventory those needs with a web design questionnaire, you can find with a google search, or drop me a note and I'll send you one for your own use. Also, a well designed site is just one piece of the puzzle. Make sure you have guidance or direction for the marketing of your products. If during your search , something doesn't feel right, listen to your instincts and walk away. I can tell you a couple hosting companies to stay away from, too.
Eileen McKenzie, Owner
Berkana Web Solutions, LLC
Links:
No, it seems proposterous. Please see my note for more...
Clarification added July 3, 2008:
[sic] (I meant, preposterous.)
Mark L
e-Commerce CIO and CTO. Enterprise architect; IT Services Practice Director
Best Answers in: E-Commerce (4), Web Development (2), International Law (1)
Hi Justin, That does not sound either fair or ethical and in our experience is certainly not the norm. Guess it depends on the terms of the contract you signed and you should review this to see if indeed you are liable for such a punitive exit fee.
Regarding your new internet store, we would love to talk to you and your wife as we provide unique 'top-notch technology' turnkey ecommerce services so you can concentrate on running your online business. We would also be able to review your terms with register.com and see if we can provide advice on this situation.
Best regards
Mark
Links:
Cory S
Lead Consultant/Sr. Project Manager at Novus Sententia
Best Answers in: Web Development (5), Organizational Development (1), Software Development (1)
Cory S suggests this expert on this topic:
This guy is FANTASTIC. And I don't use that term lightly... Great designer. Lightening fast. Extremely professional. HIGHEST recommendation.
Juha H
Chief Marketing Officer at Asia Consultancy Group
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If you use a low cost package deal you are married to it... it is their business model. Owning your own site has advantages, but your startup cost will be doubled or tripled.
Do not invest in a hard coded html site. Again it might be cheaper to begin with, but you are then married to the guy who built it for you. Look at DNN or Joomla open source content management systems to build your web store on top of.
If you want more info I'd be happy to help.
Gelveen G
Director at SynCresta Int'l
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Gelveen G suggests this expert on this topic:
Jitesh M
Vice President - Sales & Business Development at IBIS Management Associates Inc.
Best Answers in: Web Development (5), E-Commerce (2), Event Marketing and Promotions (1), Advertising (1), Business Development (1), Project Management (1)
Hi Justin,
IMHO, they earn because they have lowered the entry barrier (Price) to the eCommerce website. Further, they are assured that you will continue paying them for minimum 13 months every month and afterwards also. The moment you decide to stop... you shell out another $1499.
You will probably get a cookie-cutter website for which you don't pay much upfront, and just pay the hosting & service charges. Once you decide to leave, they charge you for that cookie-cutter site creation. Basically the payment process has been turned on its head and you have been tied to their service for over a year.
I would suggest you look at paying upfront for a custom website developed for your needs, as per your specifications.
Quite simply, your website should fit your needs, not vice versa.
Would you buy a reasonably priced pair of jeans which which fits you well...
or...
Would you buy a cheaper pair of jeans which doesn't fit too well and then lose/gain weight to fit into those new jeans?
Also, you should always retain ownership of the website code and be at the liberty to change your hosting provider as and when you wish.
I invite you to call (+1-914-509-2683) or email me (jitesh@quadrasolutions.com) for a No Obligations discussion about your project.
All the best!
Jitesh
www.QuadraSolutions.com
Links:
Vinay J
Asst. Manager Business Development
Best Answers in: Offshoring and Outsourcing (1), Computers and Software (1), Databases (1), Information Storage (1), Software Development (1)
Hi Justin,
For e-commerce I would be able to help you with designing. In fact I have a ready made product which is not of the shelf but could be customize as per your requirement. Let me know what products you are planning to sell.
You can reach me on following email: vinay.joshi@rishabhsoft.com
best regards,
Vinay Joshi
Asst Manager
